Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Big Sur can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Big Sur?
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.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesBig Sur Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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 Montego Bay and Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Big Sur? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Big Sur -
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
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
- Club Night Life Round-Trip Private Transfer in Montego Bay : $300
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Ocho Rios Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $267
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
- Private Transfer To/From Montego Bay & Airport MBJ Across Jamaica: $215
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfers – Reliable & Affordable: $200
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
- Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Private Transfer Montego Bay: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $139Big Sur -
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour : $40
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay : $40
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Cooking Class in Montego Bay with Home Chef: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer : $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $175
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Big Sur -
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:
- 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- Bioluminescence Lagoon Tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Bob Marley Nine Mile and Dunn's River Falls Tour From Montego Bay : $300
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Falmouth to Bob Marley Nine Miles and Dunns River Falls Tour : $250
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Big Sur -
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Big Sur, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur is in North America, 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Big Sur?
Big Sur has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Big Sur in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Big Sur. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Montego Bay is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Big Sur in the Autumn?
Both Big Sur and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Big Sur in the Winter?
Both Big Sur and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Big Sur in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
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.