Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Montego Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Montego Bay $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, 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 Dar es Salaam and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Montego Bay $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Montego Bay $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
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 Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33Montego 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.Dar es Salaam -Montego Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
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 dayDar es Salaam $7.97Montego 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 Dar es Salaam and Montego Bay, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Montego Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 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. It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam 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, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 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 Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the winter, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 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. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.