Which place is cheaper, Columbia or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Negril or Columbia?
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 Columbia. 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 Columbia?
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!
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Columbia -
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Negril and Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Columbia? 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 and Columbia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Columbia -
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:
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer 1 way: $33
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $46
- Private Airport Transfer Grand Palladium/ Lady Hamilton Jamaica: $47
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- One-Way & Round-Trip Private Transfer from Montego Bay to Negril *42O VIP Option: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Columbia?
Prices for flights to both Columbia 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 $23Columbia $5.03
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: $85
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Columbia -
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.
- From Negril/Palladium: Negril Beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $49
- Private Glass Bottom Boat Sight Seeing Tour Jamaica: $58
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Negril Beach and Catamaran Cruise: $79
- Negril guided day tour:7 mile beach and sunset at Ricks Cafe: $80
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Private Dunn River Falls Tour From Negril: $100
- South Coast Jamaica YS Falls Tour: $100
- Floyd's Pelican Bar (Complimentary Rum Punch, Private Tour): $100
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Columbia $88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Columbia, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia 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 Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Columbia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Columbia?
Columbia has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Columbia, 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 Columbia?
Columbia 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 Columbia in the Summer?
Both Columbia and Negril during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences.
Negril is around the same temperature as Columbia in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the summer, Negril often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.
Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Columbia. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Columbia 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Columbia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Negril is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Columbia. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Columbia. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Negril is generally much warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.
Negril usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Columbia 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia in the Spring?
Both Columbia and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.
Negril is a little warmer than Columbia in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Columbia. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia and Negril
| Negril | Columbia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
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.