Which place is cheaper, Columbia 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montego Bay or Columbia?
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 Columbia 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 Columbia?
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.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
-
Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesColumbia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Columbia 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 Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Columbia -
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Columbia? 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 and Columbia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Columbia -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport : $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Airport Private Transfers : $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $12
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Breathless/ to Secrets Resort: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Columbia?
Prices for flights to both Columbia 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $139Columbia $8.70
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Columbia -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
-
Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.63
-
Snorkeling Trip$18
-
One Tank Dive$37
-
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:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- The Ultimate Montego Bay Night Life Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Transportation Service : $26
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay : $30
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Lanterns and Lunacy of the Lost: Cruel Columbia Ghost Tours: $24
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Columbia $88
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 Columbia, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia 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 Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
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 Columbia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Columbia?
Columbia has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Columbia, 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 Montego Bay or Columbia?
Columbia 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 Columbia in the Summer?
Both Columbia and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Columbia in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Columbia in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Columbia. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Columbia 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbia in the Autumn?
Both Columbia and Montego Bay during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).
In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Columbia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Columbia. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Columbia 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Columbia. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Columbia in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Columbia. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Columbia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 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.