Which place is cheaper, Copacabana or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Copacabana?
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 Copacabana. 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 Copacabana?
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!
Copacabana
Copacabana, Bolivia, is a small, bright and enchanting town located on the Bolivian shore of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Situated relatively close to the capital of La Paz, it is a popular resort mostly destination for foreign travellers, meaning that you may feel like there are more Argentinians and Americans than locals. Copacabana is the perfect jump-off point for visiting Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna and makes a pleasant stopover between La Paz and Puno or Cusco. Featuring beautiful nature walks, ancient sites, stunning sunsets and quaint little restaurants, Copacabana is a travelers' favorite destination to soak in the panoramic views, savor freshly caught trucha, and explore what the Incas believed to be the birthplace of their empire.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Bolivia, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Bolivia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Copacabana $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Copacabana is $42. 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 Copacabana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Copacabana $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Copacabana $22
Compare Hotels in Negril and Copacabana
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Copacabana? 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 Copacabana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Copacabana $14
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$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport : $90
- Airport transfers, private tours and excursions in Jamaica : $80
- Azul Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer: $23
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer: $33
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Copacabana?
Prices for flights to both Copacabana 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 $23Copacabana $17
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
Typical Food Prices in Copacabana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Copacabana:
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Lunch$3.61
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Sandwich$1.16
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Copacabana $19
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$44
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- Cruise Ship Excursion in Montego Bay : $41
- 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
- Ricks Cafe Sunset Catamaran Cruise Negril Palladium Montego Bay: $85
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Negril Catamaran Adults Only Cruise, Snorkeling and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $110
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Tours and Activities in Copacabana
Here are a few actual costs in Copacabana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- CONDORIRI Mountain 5650m. 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT. TREKKING. English guide. Shared Tour: $300
- From La Paz: Cable car ride tour with tasting food.: $49
- Full Day Tour of Sun Island in Copacabana from La Paz: $100
- Full day tour of Copacabana and Sun Island: $90
- Titicaca Lake & Isla del Sol Catamaran Tour: $293
- Titicaca Touristic Bus from Copacabana to La Paz_Everyday_1:00 p.m.: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Copacabana $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Copacabana
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Copacabana from other travelers:
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Wine$2.89
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Copacabana, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Copacabana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Copacabana is in South 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 Copacabana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copacabana 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 Copacabana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Copacabana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Copacabana?
Copacabana has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Copacabana, 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.