Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John?
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 Saint John 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Saint John $49
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $139Saint John $97
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 $31Saint John $23
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:
- 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 Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Saint John $44
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 comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Saint John, 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montego Bay or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Saint John. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Saint John. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Saint John. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.