Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Montego Bay?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Montego Bay $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Vang Vieng and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Montego Bay $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng or Montego Bay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Montego Bay $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
- Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
- Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
- Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
- Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
- Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Vang Vieng change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayVang Vieng $11Montego Bay $139
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Montego Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
- ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia and Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Montego Bay?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Montego Bay, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Montego Bay. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.