Which place is cheaper, Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?
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 Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island?
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.
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island, located just off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia, has become a popular vacation destination for beach-goers and adventure seekers alike as one of the state's "Golden Isles." The historic district is full of late nineteenth-early twentieth century buildings to explore, and the places left to nature are full of beauty and are inhabited by an array of local wildlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesJekyll Island Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Jekyll Island $189
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Jekyll Island is $189. 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 Jekyll Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Jekyll Island $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Jekyll Island $176
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Jekyll Island
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Jekyll Island? 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 Jekyll Island Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Jekyll Island $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $61
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
- Royalton White Sands Private Airport Transfer: $40
- Royalton Blue Waters & Hideaway by Blue Waters Private Transfer: $35
- Roundtrip Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Hotel or Airbnb: $22
- Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Transfer/Tours to/from Montego Bay: $60
- Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Jekyll Island?
Prices for flights to both Jekyll Island 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 $139Jekyll Island $77
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.Montego Bay $31Jekyll Island $10
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 dayMontego Bay $13Jekyll Island $6.43
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 Montego Bay and Jekyll Island, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Jekyll Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island.
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 Jekyll Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Jekyll Island?
Jekyll Island 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 Jekyll Island in the Summer?
Both Jekyll Island and Montego Bay during the summer 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, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Jekyll Island averages at about 82°F (28°C).
In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 286 hours of full sun.
Jekyll Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Jekyll Island 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Jekyll Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Jekyll Island during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Jekyll Island 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Jekyll Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Jekyll Island. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Jekyll Island in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 191 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Jekyll Island 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Jekyll Island in the Spring?
Both Jekyll Island and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Jekyll Island averages at about 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in Jekyll Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Jekyll Island during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Jekyll Island 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Jekyll Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.