Which place is cheaper, Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach?
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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach?
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.
Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular and touristy beach destinations on the South Atlantic coast. It's a popular spring break destination for college kids and there is no shortage of hotels and entertainment options along the beach front. It's also well known as a golfing destination, and it has some wonderful seafood restaurants and shopping areas. If you're looking for a natural, relaxed beach destination, Myrtle Beach is not your best option, but if you're looking for the thrills of club hopping, wonderful food options, and souvenir shopping opportunities, then Myrtle Beach is where it's at.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesMyrtle Beach Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Myrtle Beach $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Myrtle Beach is $214. 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 Myrtle Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Myrtle Beach $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Myrtle Beach $176
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Myrtle Beach
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach? 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 Myrtle Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Myrtle Beach $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $40
- Airport Transfer To Hotels in Negril : $88
- Airport Transfer To Secret Wild orchid/ST James Hotel : $60
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $54
- Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $120
- Airport Transfers to Montego Bay Hotels – The Best in Jamaica!: $20
- MBJ Round Trip Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort : $36
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Areas Private Luxury Transfer: $179
- Private Airport Transfer To Jewel Grande Resort : $47
- Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotels in Montego Bay : $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Myrtle Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Myrtle Beach:
- Private Departure Transfer to Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): $36
- Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
- One Way To/From Airport Transfer: $50
- Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) to Myrtle Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach?
Prices for flights to both Myrtle Beach 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 $139Myrtle Beach $97
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
Typical Food Prices in Myrtle Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Myrtle Beach:
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Dinner for Two$49
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Diner Breakfast for Two$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Myrtle Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Myrtle Beach.
- Riga Tony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show : $60
- Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
- Adventure Luau - Polynesian Dinner Show: $69
- North Dinner Cruise on a Paddle Wheel Boat: $69
- Luau with Polynesian Dinner and Live Show: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Myrtle Beach $46
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:
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Myrtle Beach
Here are a few typical costs in Myrtle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Mini Golf for Two$18
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Beach Chairs$15
Tours and Activities in Myrtle Beach
Here are a few actual costs in Myrtle Beach for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Myrtle Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Myrtle Beach SC: $15
- SkyWheel Entry Ticket: $22
- Mayhem, Mystique, & Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour : $26
- Murrells Inlet: Scenic Sunset Cruise: $29
- Mayhem, Mystique & Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour: $32
- Murrells Inlet: Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour w/ Marine Biologist: $32
- Double Decker City Tour Through Myrtle Beach : $37
- 2 HR Dolphin Tour in North Myrtle Beach: $37
- Catamaran Dolphin Cruise in Myrtle Beach with Barrier Island Stop: $40
- Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach Entry Ticket: $43
- Waccamaw River Pontoon Boat Tour: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Myrtle Beach $16
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 Myrtle Beach, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Myrtle Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach.
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 Myrtle Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Myrtle Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Myrtle Beach this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Myrtle Beach during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.
Myrtle Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Myrtle Beach 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Myrtle Beach 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?
Both Myrtle Beach 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 shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Myrtle Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Myrtle Beach 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?
Both Myrtle Beach 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, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Myrtle Beach 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Myrtle Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 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.