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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?

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.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.


Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles 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
    Los Angeles Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $255
    Los Angeles $300

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $300. 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 Los Angeles in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $100
    Los Angeles $138
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $200
    Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Los Angeles

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles


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 Los Angeles Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $14
    Los Angeles $40

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:


  • Hotel Parking for a Day
    $22
  • Taxi to Airport
    $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles

Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Los Angeles Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Los Angeles: $32
  • Los Angeles Airport LAX Transfer to Long Beach Hollywood Irvine: $33
  • Los Angeles:Private Airport Transfers to/from LA or Disney: $36
  • LAX Private Airport Transfer: $41
  • Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Anaheim - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Long Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • Los Angeles Private Transfer to or from Hollywood.: $63
  • Garden Groove to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
  • John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Garden Groove - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
  • Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX): $66
  • Shared Airport Arrival Transfer: LAX International Airport to Anaheim, Buena Park or Garden Grove: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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
    Los Angeles $104

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

Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Mexican Dinner (family of 4)
    $32
  • Burritos for Two
    $15
  • Coffee and Danish
    $7.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
  • West LA Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $65
  • Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Downtown Food Tour: $89
  • Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
  • The Immigrant & Historic Businesses of Silver Lake Food Tour: $89
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach: $94
  • Marina Del Rey: Romantic Cruise, Dinner Charcuterie or Sushi: $99
  • Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
  • Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $99
  • Marina Del Rey: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $101
  • Hollywood Night Tour with Dinner & Comedy Show: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Los Angeles $84
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:

  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)
    $37
  • Bowling
    $13
  • Hollywood Tour for Two
    $30
  • Six Flags for 2
    $96

Tours and Activities in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.59
  • Santa Monica: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
  • Hollywood Boulevard’s Haunting History and Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Los Angeles Downtown Scavenger Hunt Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
  • Pasadena Puzzle Adventure: Stop the Bomb!: $7.20
  • LA Little Tokyo to Olvera St Smartphone (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $7.50
  • Pasadena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.74
  • Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $8.42
  • Beverly Hills on Foot Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $9.99
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Pasadena by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Experience in Fontana by Operation City Quest: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Los Angeles $15

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:

  • LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
  • Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles : $39
  • LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
  • 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
  • Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
  • Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Los Angeles 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 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?

Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles in the Summer?

Both Los Angeles 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, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 72°F (22°C).

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Los Angeles. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Los Angeles. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Los Angeles in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Los Angeles in the Spring?

Both Los Angeles 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, the spring months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Los Angeles
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 55°F (13°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 61°F (16°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)