Which place is cheaper, David or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or David?
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 David. 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 David?
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!
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139David $32
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in David is $32. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106David $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212David $24
Compare Hotels in Negril and David
Looking for a hotel in Negril or David? 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 David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71David $12
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:
- 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
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $47
- Private Airport Transfer Grand Palladium/ Lady Hamilton Jamaica: $47
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
- One-Way & Round-Trip Private Transfer from Montego Bay to Negril *42O VIP Option: $50
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotel: $50
- Sunset at The Palms Airport Transfer: $53
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 $23David $10
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: $85
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27David $4.39
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.
- From Negril/Palladium: Negril Beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $49
- Zimbali's Rasta Tour Lunch: $65
- 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
- Private Dunn River Falls Tour From Negril: $100
- Luminous Lagoon Private Tour: $103
- Negril Catamaran Adults Only Cruise, Snorkeling and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $110
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10David -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and David, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and David is in Central 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or David?
David has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and David, 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.