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

Should you visit Salvador or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Montego Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salvador or Montego Bay?

Salvador

Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Salvador?

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 Salvador is $51, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 Salvador and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $23
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $46
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Salvador or Montego Bay? 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 Salvador


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $5.78
    Montego Bay $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $15
  • Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $15
  • Shared Transfer - North Coast: $21
  • Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $22
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $22
  • Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $23
  • Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $26
  • Airport Transfer x Salvador Hotel - Sedan 1 to 4 people: $30
  • Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $31
  • Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $35
  • Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
  • Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $39

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 Salvador or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Salvador 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
    Salvador $21
    Montego Bay $139
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience: $85
  • Folklore Tour with Buffet Dinner: $91
  • Hands-On Bahian Cooking Class with Caipirinhas in Salvador: $95
  • Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $95
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $140
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $146
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $170
  • Authentic Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $175
  • Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $179
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.45
    Montego Bay $31

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.48
  • Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $12
  • City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $19
  • Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
  • Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $22
  • Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $22
  • Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Historical Salvador City Tour: $26
  • Panoramic Salvador Half Day City Tour: $26

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.17
    Montego Bay $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.31
  • Drinks
    $2.63

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Montego Bay?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Salvador and Montego Bay, 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 Salvador or Montego Bay?

Salvador 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 Salvador or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Montego Bay. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salvador this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bayin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer. September to February in Salvador is the dry season. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Salvador 27°C (81°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Salvador for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Salvador is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bayin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Salvador 26°C (80°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salvador in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Salvador is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Salvador is September to February. The rainy season in Salvador is March to August.


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

Should I visit Salvador or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Salvador for the beaches during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In October, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bayin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bayin April. Salvador gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Montego Bayin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Salvador 26°C (78°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Salvador

Salvador Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 152 mm (6 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 310 mm (12.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 360 mm (14.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 244 mm (9.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 175 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 102 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 26°C (78°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)