Is Montego Bay expensive to visit?
Montego Bay is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Montego Bay can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $102 (J$16,167) per day, mid-range travelers spend $258 (J$40,885) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $651 (J$103,182) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Montego Bay.
Within the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, Montego Bay is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in the Caribbean Islands for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Montego Bay is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Montego Bay Expensive?
Winnifred Beach
How much money do I need for a trip to Montego Bay?
The average Montego Bay trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Montego Bay travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Montego Bay cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget in Montego Bay. While many think they can cut costs for many things, the reality is that most people won't enjoy such a low-budget experience. Consider your preferences and travel style. Do you like resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are activities and dining out a big part of your travel plans? Your answers will shape your budget and itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $102 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Montego Bay has plenty of hostels, including Mobay Kotch, Five Gables, and Inez Roots Hostel. Here, you can enjoy budget dorm accommodation along with a friendly, social vibe, but amenities are quite limited.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Visitors to Montego Bay typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $258 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $651 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as [PRIVATE] Dunn's River Falls with Entrance Fees - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Montego Bay
Montego Bay has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $238 in the off-season and averages $444 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $100 to $1,174. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Montego Bay for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $202 (J$32,180). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $101 (J$16,090) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Montego Bay include:
- Mynt Retreat Bed & Breakfast starting at $124
By skipping and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Montego Bay
In Montego Bay, the public transit system is not very good.
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $15 (J$2,326) per person, per day, on local transportation in Montego Bay. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Montego Bay is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$15
J$2,326
When driving, confirm that your hotel has convenient parking options.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Airport Transfers to Montego Bay accommodation round trip for $35 details
- Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer for $31 details
- Montego Bay Hotels Airport Transfer for $28 details
How much does it cost to go to Montego Bay? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Montego Bay will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Montego Bay
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Montego Bay can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Montego Bay is $140 (J$22,389) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$140
J$22,389
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Montego Bay is around $141 (J$22389) per person, with previous travelers spending from $53 to $396. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
- Breakfast: $14 to $42
- Lunch: $21 to $57
- Dinner: $42 to $99
- Coffee: $11
- Fast Food or Street Food: $21
Seafood is probably the food highlight of Montego Bay, and there are tons of places to find great (and fresh) seafood. A great restaurant to try for seafood is called Pier One Seafood, and it is an open-air venue with fresh fish and tropical drinks. For some delicious traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, head to Pork Pit on Gloucester Ave. Of course, if you want more of an extravagant dinner experience, head to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville (also on Gloucester Ave). They serve a range of dishes, including jerk chicken, and even have a hot tub and water slide that leads into the sea where you will then find a water trampoline.
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Bring your own water bottle instead of grabbing drinks on the fly. It's better for the environment as well.
If you're planning to take a tour, make sure you know which meals are included beforehand. You might be on the hook to pay for some of the food yourself which can add to your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Montego Bay, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting & Luminous Lagoon Sunset, Swim& Dinner for $280 details
- Private Martha Brae Raft and Luminous Lagoon Tour with Dinner for $270 details
- Private Seafood Tour and Floyds Pelican Bar or Black River Safari for $185 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Montego Bay
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Montego Bay typically cost an average of $31 (J$4,975) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$31
J$4,975
Head to Harbour Street to explore the craft markets where vendors are selling many unique goods to the frequent cruise ship passengers that are usually exploring this area. You can always try to plan it out so that you get there before or after a large group of cruisers.
One of the famous beaches in Montego Bay is called Doctor's Cave Beach, where the waters supposedly have healing powers. Perhaps the water isn't really magical in that sense, but it sure is a magical sight to see. The water is crystal clear and calm with white sand that is perfect for sunbathing. Keep in mind that MoBay is a hub for cruise ships, so you will likely find crowded beaches during peak seasons.
Twenty minutes from MoBay is the Rose Hall Great House, which was a plantation home in the 1700's. It has since then been restored and is a beautiful property. The house is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Annie Palmer, who lived in the house and was a practitioner of black magic.
If you are staying in Montego Bay then you will most likely visit the Sam Sharpe Square, which is in the city center. The square is named after a slave who resisted planters that didn't comply with emancipation efforts. He was later hanged in the square and after independence was recognized as a National Hero. In the square, you will also find a cage that was built in the early 1800's as a holding place for runaway slaves. The square holds a lot of history and is worth visiting while in Montego Bay.
Snorkeling is magnificent in Montego Bay, especially at Cornwall Beach. It is another popular beach, though, so there will likely be lots of people. Other snorkeling spots are Coyaba Beach, Montego Beach, and Bogue Lagoon.
The only kitesurfing center in Jamaica is located 20 minutes from MoBay, any/all levels of kitesurfers welcome! The company is called KiteBoarding Jamaica in Bounty Bay.
Zip line through the tropical forest in the town of Lethe, which has the longest zip lines in all of the Caribbean.
As you can see from these activities, Jamaica is terrific for the whole family. For even more ideas, check out this great post about the best things to do in Jamaica with kids which has both indoor and outdoor things to do.
A nice way to explore destinations in Montego Bay is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Transportation and Tour from Montego Bay to Blue Hole/Secret Falls for $120 details
- Jamaica Best Water Falls Tour,Mobay Bay to Dunn's River/Blue Hole for $179 details
A few typical prices for sights, activities, and entry fees in Montego Bay are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers to provide you with an idea how much you might need to spend. Your individual costs will vary based on which activities you do, which attractions or museums you visit, and how often you participate in free or low-cost activities.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
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.