Which place is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Negril or Columbia River Gorge?
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 River Gorge. 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 River Gorge?
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 River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesColumbia River Gorge Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $152Columbia River Gorge $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $152, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $212. 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 River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $103Columbia River Gorge $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $206Columbia River Gorge $178
Compare Hotels in Negril and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Columbia River Gorge? 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.48Columbia River Gorge $78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
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Taxi From Airport$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Riu Negril Private Airport Transfers: $13
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
- MBJ Airport Transfers to/from Montego Bay Hotels/Villas/Airbnb: $20
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $34
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Private Transfer To Grand Palladium: $35
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Falmouth, Grand Palladium: $35
- Airport transfer to or from Grand Palladium: $35
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $35
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $37
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- Grand Palladium hotel transfer from Montego Bay airport: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge 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
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Food Meals for one dayNegril $38Columbia River Gorge $79
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Columbia River Gorge $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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2 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- Catamaran, ATV and Horse Back Riding/Swim Day Tour: $51
- Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
- Negril Seven Mile Beach & Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour Negril Jamaica: $60
- Jamwest Push Kart Adventure Experience Entry Ticket in Negril: $60
- Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $65
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $75
- Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
- Choose Your Adventure: ATV, Zipline, Horseback Ride & Rafting: $80
- Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.85Columbia River Gorge $12
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 Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Columbia River Gorge?
Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Columbia River Gorge, 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 River Gorge?
Columbia River Gorge 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 River Gorge in the Summer?
Both Columbia River Gorge 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, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Negril is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Columbia River Gorge, 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 River Gorge. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Columbia River Gorge 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Negril is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 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 River Gorge. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Columbia River Gorge 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Columbia River Gorge. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.
It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°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 River Gorge. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Negril usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Columbia River Gorge 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Negril or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.
In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Columbia River Gorge 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Negril
| Negril | Columbia River Gorge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.