Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Negril or Cabo San Lucas?
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 Cabo San Lucas. 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 Cabo San Lucas?
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!
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $153Cabo San Lucas $168
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $153, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $168. 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $103Cabo San Lucas $60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $206Cabo San Lucas $120
Compare Hotels in Negril and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Cabo San Lucas? 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: Negril Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.52Cabo San Lucas $27
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:
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to AZUL, ROYALTON, RIU, HEDONISM: $53
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Negril Airbnb Homes, Resorts: $133
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport Transfer To Negril: $60
- Airport Transfer To Negril: $60
- Airport Transfer To Negril Hotel: $70
- Azul Negril Resort Airport Transfer: $53
- Azul Sensatori Jamaica Airport Transfers: $90
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $45
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $12
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Private Round Trip Transfer Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $300
- Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Round Trip Airport: $280
- Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $279
- Private Airport Transfers in Los Cabos: $264
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Cabo San Lucas Area: $261
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Los Cabos 1-10px: $255
- Private Airport Transfer to Los Cabos Hotels: $250
- Private Los Cabos Airport to San Jose del Cabo Transfer: $250
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Puerto Los Cabos Area: $220
- Private Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Cabo Airport: $220
- Private Escalade Airport Transfer in Los Cabos: $220
- Los Cabos Luxury Tesla Transfer from Airport to San José del Cabo Area: $214
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 dayNegril $38Cabo San Lucas $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner in the Sky Jamaica Round Trip Taxi & Guide only: $42
- The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $80
- Local food tour and local fields: $164
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $80
- Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $83
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $84
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $88
- Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
- Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Cabo San Lucas Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise to the Arch: $99
- Cabo Escape Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $99
- Pirate Ship Sunset Dinner and Show in Los Cabos: $99
- Yo Ho Pirate Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Cabo San Lucas $41
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.
- ATV Adventure and Zipline with Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour in Negril: $42
- Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $62
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Seven Mile Beach and Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour in Negril Jamaica: $75
- Private Negril Highlights Tour: $75
- Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $75
- Choose Your Adventure: ATV, Zipline, Horseback Ride & Rafting: $80
- Negril Country Side Tour & Rick's Cafe: $82
- Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
- 3 Hour Day Party Pass for Tourists at Jamaica Countryside Estate: $85
- Negril Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkeling, Drinks & DJ: $89
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Exclusive Cabo San Lucas Trimaran Experience with Snorkeling": $180
- 2 Hour Sunset Tour on Catamaran in Cabo San Lucas: $85
- 2 Hours Horseback Riding Adventure in Cabo: $130
- 2-Hour Camel Ride Beach and Desert Adventure Experience: $120
- 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour in Cabo with Breakfast: $130
- 2-Hours Sunset Experience at Los Cabos with Jazz and Bar! from Los Cabos: $165
- 4-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas and Corridor: $109
- 4x4 ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting and Mexican Buffet Lunch: $53
- 4x4 Automatic ATV and Camel Ride Combo Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $175
- A taste of Los Cabos. A San Jose and Cabo San Lucas City Tour: $100
- ATV & Camel Ride Tour on Migriño Beach: $125
- ATV Adventure: $135
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.89Cabo San Lucas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Negril and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas 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 Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Cabo San Lucas 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 Negril Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Cabo San Lucas, 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.
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.