A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Negril vs. Belize City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Negril or Belize City?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril and Belize City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Negril or Belize City?

Negril

Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!

Belize City

Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.

This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, Belize City or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Belize City is $88. 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 Negril and Belize City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $106
    Belize City $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $212
    Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in Negril and Belize City

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Belize City? 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 Negril


Hotels in Belize City


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: Negril Hotel Prices and Belize City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.71
    Belize City $5.82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:


  • Taxi From Airport
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

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

  • Transfers between Montego Bay Airport and Negril Hotels: $107
  • Sunset at The Palms Airport Transfer: $53
  • Royalton Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
  • Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
  • Private Transfer to Hotels in Negril from Montego Bay Airport : $55
  • Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
  • Private Transfer between Hedonism ll Resort and Airport : $53
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica: $80
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotels: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
  • Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
  • Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
  • Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
  • We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
  • Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Belize City?

Prices for flights to both Belize City and Negril 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
    Negril $23
    Belize City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril

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

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience with Optional Dinner in Montego Bay: $60
  • The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $85
  • Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
  • Local food tour and local fields : $164

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City

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

  • Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $27
    Belize City $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $44

Tours and Activities in Negril

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

  • YS Falls and Sightseeing Tour Day Adventure: $138
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $275
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
  • Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour : $185
  • Appleton Rum Factory and Black River Safari Tour: $280
  • Appleton Rum Factory, YS Falls, and Reggae Horseback Ride & Swim Combo Tour: $195
  • Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
  • Atv Adventure and Ricks Cafe with Private Transportation: $367
  • Atv Adventure and Ziplines with Private Transportation: $414
  • Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe Tour & Transportation: $334
  • Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe Private Tour: $294

Tours and Activities in Belize City

For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
  • Belize City Tour: $40
  • Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $100
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
  • Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
  • Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $10
    Belize City $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:

  • Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $49


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Belize City, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Belize City is in Central 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 Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Negril would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Negril than you might in Belize City.

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


Which is Bigger, Negril or Belize City?

Belize City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Belize City, 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 Negril or Belize City?

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 Negril or Belize City in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Belize City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives less rain than Belize City. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Belize City during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Belize City averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Belize City 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Negril or Belize City in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Belize City. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Belize City. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets less rain in October than Belize City. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Belize City. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun.

In October, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Belize City. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Belize City fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Belize City 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Negril or Belize City in the Winter?

Both Belize City and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Belize City. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Belize City during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.

Negril is around the same temperature as Belize City in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Belize City 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Negril or Belize City in the Spring?

Both Belize City and Negril during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Belize City. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Belize City. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Negril is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Belize City averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Belize City 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Belize City and Negril

Negril Belize City
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)