A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Negril vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii?

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 Big Island of Hawaii. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

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!

Big Island of Hawaii

What comes to mind when someone says, "Hawaii"? Probably sandy beaches, coconut drinks and lazy days of tanning. It's a dream destination for those who want to get away, but the island of Hawai'i, or the Big Island as it's most commonly called, has so much more to offer than a place to catch up on your latest novel.

At 93 miles across, and a population of 185 thousand, the Big Island was once a large exporter of sugarcane. After its final plantation closed in 1996, tourism became the backbone of Hawai'i Island's economy. More recently, the Big Island has become the focus for sustainable tourism – visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on your destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Negril Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Big Island of Hawaii Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $152
    Big Island of Hawaii $327

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $152, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $327. 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 Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $103
    Big Island of Hawaii $112
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $206
    Big Island of Hawaii $224
Compare Hotels in Negril and Big Island of Hawaii

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Big Island of Hawaii? 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 Big Island of Hawaii


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 Big Island of Hawaii Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.48
    Big Island of Hawaii $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

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


  • Taxi From Airport
    $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

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

  • Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain Jamaica From Negril Hotels: $200
  • Private, Round-Trip Negril Airport Transfer: $200
  • Chukka and Rafting Ocho Rios with Private Transfer Negril Hotels: $200
  • Private Transfers-Negril and Runaway Bay hotels(Round Trip): $180
  • Private Transfer from Negril to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $173
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Negril: $173
  • Luxury Grand Palladium Transfer: $144
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $141
  • Private Customizable Transfer from Sangster Intl Airport - Negril: $140
  • Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) to Negril hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Big Island of Hawaii?

Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii 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 $38
    Big Island of Hawaii $183

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril

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

  • The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $80
  • Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    Big Island of Hawaii $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

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


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $43

Tours and Activities in Negril

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

  • 7Mile Beach/Ricks Cafe Tour with Free Shopping from Montego Bay: $115
  • ATV's, Shopping, Seven Mile Beach,Catamaran Cruise to Ricks Cafe: $130
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
  • Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour: $185
  • Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
  • Bamboo Rafting and Rick Cafe Negril Private Tour: $161
  • Bambuza ATV, Zipline and Horseback Adventure from Negril: $190
  • Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
  • Boat tour: $123
  • Bob Marley 9 miles with French tour guide: $260
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour From Negril Hotel: $215
  • Bob Marley's Nine Mile Day-Trip w/Admission & Guided Tour from Grand Palladium: $145

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.85
    Big Island of Hawaii $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Negril

Also in Negril, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl: $26


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

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



When is the best time to visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Negril experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Negril is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Negril during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Negril is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun.

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets less rain in October than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Big Island of Hawaii. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

In the winter, Negril is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Negril is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets less rain in April than Big Island of Hawaii. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Negril

Negril Big Island of Hawaii
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 72°F (22°C) 8.7 inches (221 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 72°F (22°C) 10.8 inches (274 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 13.6 inches (345 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 15.6 inches (395 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 74°F (23°C) 10.7 inches (272 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 76°F (24°C) 9.7 inches (247 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 76°F (25°C) 9.7 inches (247 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 76°F (25°C) 8.5 inches (215 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 9.8 inches (248 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 74°F (24°C) 14.8 inches (375 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 73°F (23°C) 12.6 inches (321 mm)