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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Ushuaia?

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 Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia?

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.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $0.00. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $100
    Ushuaia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $200
    Ushuaia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Ushuaia

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia


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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $14
    Ushuaia -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
  • Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
  • Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia

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

  • Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $7.00
  • Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $7.00
  • Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $9.00
  • Airport Transfer: $10
  • Calafate: Airport Transfer: $12
  • Low Cost Ushuaia Transfer from/to the airport: $16
  • Ushuaia Low cost Transfers: $17
  • Transfer from the hotel to the airport in shared service: $17
  • Transfer from your accommodation to Ushuaia airport: $17
  • Transfer from Ushuaia airport to your accomodation: $17
  • Private Transfer to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $17
  • Sky Resort Roundtrip Transfer: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Ushuaia?

Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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
    Ushuaia -

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 Ushuaia

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

  • Adventure and Snow Moto + Buffet Lunch or Pizza Rodizio + Transfer: $96
  • Beaver Sighting with Dinner off Lake Fagnano: $170
  • Ushuaia City Tour: Vespertine Tour with Dinner: $189
  • Snowmobile + Snowshoeing + Huskies + Skiing + Lunch or Pizza Buffet: $195
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park PM - with Dinner included: $210
  • Discovering Lakes Escondido and Fagnano with sunset dinner: $210
  • Puerto Almanza and Punta Paraná Tour with Dinner: $210
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park: vespertine tour with dinner: $210
  • Snow and Fire with Dinner in Firepit, Sledge Ride and Snowmobile: $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Ushuaia -
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

Tours and Activities in Ushuaia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.

  • Panoramic City Train Tour: $20
  • Guided Tour of the City of Ushuaia: $21
  • Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $23
  • Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $28
  • CITY TOUR USHUAIA+ MARTIAL GLACIER RESERVE VISIT: $28
  • City Tour Ushuaia: $30
  • USHUAIA | City Tour + Martial Glacier Reserve: $36
  • Tierra del Fuego National Park Tour: $50
  • LANDSCAPES AND DELIGHTS - CITY TOUR: $50
  • End of the World Train Ticket: $55
  • Urban Walking Tour with Yatana Forest Historic Site Visit: $55
  • Experience in the Classic National Park in Ushuaia: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Ushuaia -

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 Ushuaia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ushuaia:

  • Photo tour and Wine Tasting in Ushuaia City: $115
  • City tour and Wine tasting: $115


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Ushuaia, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Ushuaia is in South 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.

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 Ushuaia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Ushuaia?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Ushuaia. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?

Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Ushuaia. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain January. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain January. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Ushuaiain January. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Ushuaia in the Autumn?

Both Ushuaia and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Ushuaia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain April. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Ushuaia in the Winter?

Both Ushuaia and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Ushuaia can be very cold. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 2°C (36°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain July. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Ushuaiain July. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Ushuaia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain October. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain October. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Ushuaia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)