Which place is cheaper, Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
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.
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesWilmington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Wilmington $245
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Wilmington is $245. 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 Wilmington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Wilmington $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Wilmington $240
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Wilmington
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Wilmington $47
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
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
- Club Night Life Round-Trip Private Transfer in Montego Bay : $300
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Ocho Rios Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $267
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
- Private Transfer To/From Montego Bay & Airport MBJ Across Jamaica: $215
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfers – Reliable & Affordable: $200
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
- Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Private Transfer Montego Bay: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Wilmington?
Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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 $139Wilmington $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Wilmington $17
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:
- 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
- ATV Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- Bioluminescence Lagoon Tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Bob Marley Nine Mile and Dunn's River Falls Tour From Montego Bay : $300
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Falmouth to Bob Marley Nine Miles and Dunns River Falls Tour : $250
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
Tours and Activities in Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- True Crime Tour of Wilmington: $20
- Downtown Wilmington Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Wilmington Coup and Massacre Historic Tour: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Wilmington by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $24
- History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
- Wraiths & Wicked Whispers: Wilmington Ghost Tour: $26
- Holiday Lights Cruise: $30
- Wilmington Speakeasy and History Tour: $30
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Sunset Cruise with Live Music: $45
- Wrightsville Beach Sunset Dolphin Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Wilmington $39
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 comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Wilmington, 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. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Wilmington is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Wilmington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Wilmington?
Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?
Wilmington 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 Wilmington in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Wilmington. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Wilmington. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Wilmington 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Wilmington in the Autumn?
Both Wilmington 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. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Wilmington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Wilmington 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Wilmington in the Winter?
Both Wilmington 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. Also, many travelers come to Wilmington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Wilmington averages at about 45°F (7°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Wilmington 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Wilmington in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Wilmington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Wilmington during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Wilmington 63°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Wilmington and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Wilmington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 47°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) | 63°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 (27°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) | 56°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.