Which place is cheaper, Cozumel or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Cozumel?
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 Cozumel. 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 Cozumel?
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!
Cozumel
Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Cozumel $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $118. 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 Cozumel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Cozumel $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Cozumel $140
Compare Hotels in Negril and Cozumel
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Cozumel $23
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:
- Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
- Montego Bay: Private Transfer from Airport to Negril: $250
- Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
- Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $170
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- Transfers between Montego Bay Airport and Negril Hotels: $107
- Private Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels : $107
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport : $90
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel
Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cuban Cigar Master Class & Beach Break® with transfer: $153
- Cozumel Private Airport Transfer: $150
- Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
- ATV Adventure to Jade Cavern with transfer: $93
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) Cozumel - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Wild Jade Cavern Private ATV Tour With Transfer: $86
- Cozumel Island Transfers: $70
- Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel -Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Cozumel Port to Cozumel Airport CZM Departure Private Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Cozumel?
Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 $23Cozumel $24
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cozumel
For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
- Cozumel Food Tour: $90
- Cozumel Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Cozumel $44
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.
- YS Falls and Sightseeing Tour Day Adventure: $138
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $275
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
- Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour : $185
- Appleton Rum Factory and Black River Safari Tour: $279
- Appleton Rum Factory, YS Falls, and Reggae Horseback Ride & Swim Combo Tour: $195
- Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
- Atv Adventure and Ricks Cafe with Private Transportation: $367
- Atv Adventure and Ziplines with Private Transportation: $413
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe Tour & Transportation: $333
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe Private Tour: $293
Tours and Activities in Cozumel
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cozumel.
- Island Tour With Private Driver : $56
- Private Cozumel Jeep Tour & Jade Caverns Cenote: All-Inclusive: $85
- Romantic tour in Cozumel: $127
- 1 Hour and Half Private Tropical Fitness Experience in Cozumel: $6.03
- 15-minute Private Parasailing Experience in Cozumel: $69
- 2 Hour Discover Mermaid Experience : $20
- 2 Hour Diving Experience in San Miguel de Cozumel: $88
- 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
- 4 Hours Experience the turtle sanctuary on La Chula Catamarán : $78
- 4-Hour Jeep and ATV Tour with Snorkel in Cozumel with Lunch: $99
- A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco : $80
- A snorkeling adventure in a glass-bottom boat at Cozumel's reef.: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Cozumel $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Cozumel, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Cozumel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Cozumel 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 Cozumel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cozumel 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 Cozumel.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Cozumel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Cozumel?
Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Cozumel, 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.