A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montego Bay vs. Duck for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montego Bay or Duck?

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 Duck 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 Duck?

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.

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Duck 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.

  • Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Duck Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $255
    Duck $221

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Duck is $221. 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 Duck in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $100
    Duck $107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $200
    Duck $214
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Duck

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Duck? 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.

Hotels in Montego Bay


Hotels in Duck


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $14
    Duck $66

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
  • 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 Transfer from Montego Bay Airport : $10
  • Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
  • Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $12
  • Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
  • El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer : $13
  • Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
  • Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
  • RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers : $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Duck?

Prices for flights to both Duck 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 day
    Montego Bay $139
    Duck $78

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 $31
    Duck $13
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
  • Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
  • Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay : $30
  • Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
  • Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
  • Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
  • Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour with Admission: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Duck $45

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 comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Duck, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Duck is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Duck Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Duck?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Duck, 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 Duck?

Duck 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 Duck in the Summer?

Both Duck 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 Duck in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Duck. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Duck fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Duck during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Duck. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Duck receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Duck 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Duck in the Autumn?

Both Duck 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 Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Duck in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Duck fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Duck. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 211 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 Duck. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Duck receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Duck 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Duck in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Duck. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Duck because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Duck can be very cold. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Duck. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Duck averages at about 41°F (5°C).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Duck during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Duck. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Duck receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Duck 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Duck in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Duck. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Duck this time of year.

In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Duck. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Duck fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. 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 Duck. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 253 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Duck. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Duck receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Duck 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Duck and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Duck
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)