Which place is cheaper, Maui 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 Maui?
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 Maui 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 Maui?
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.
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
-
Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesMaui Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Maui $343
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Maui is $343. 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 Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Maui $141
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Maui
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Maui? 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 Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Maui $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
- Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
- Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
- Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
- From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
- Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $16
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $39
- Maui Kahului Airport OGG Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Private Transfer Kahului Airport OGG to Maui Kihei Lahaina Wailea: $42
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $172
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $173
- VIP Private Maui OGG Arrival Transfer in Black Cadillac Escalade: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui 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 $139Maui $162
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $140
- Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
- Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise : $150
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $158
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Maui Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience: $170
- Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Pa'ina with Natives in Hana: $185
- Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise & Whale Watch: $189
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance Plus Dinner: $219
- Haleakala Maui Sunset Twilight Tour with Dinner: $255
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Maui $38
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:
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
- Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
- Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
- Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Haleakala: $7.99
- Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
- Discover Lahaina: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- West Maui Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Maui "Reverse" Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Maui "Loop" Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Haleakala Sunrise Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Maui: $25
- Ultimate Hawaii Road Trip: 4-Island Self-Guided Audio Tours: $27
- Hawaiian Islands Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle: $30
- From Maalaea: Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Maui $41
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 Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery and Beach Cruise in a Vintage VW Bus : $229
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Maui, we can see that Maui 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 Maui 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui 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 Maui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Maui?
Maui 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 Maui in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Maui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Maui during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Maui. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Maui 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Maui. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Maui 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Winter?
Both Maui and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Maui. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Maui 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Maui in the Spring?
Both Maui and Montego Bay during the spring 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 and the natural beauty are the main draw to Maui this time of year.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Maui 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Maui and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Maui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.