Which place is cheaper, Gainesville or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Gainesville?
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 Gainesville. 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 Gainesville?
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!
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Gainesville $221
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $221. 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 Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Gainesville $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Gainesville $238
Compare Hotels in Negril and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Gainesville? 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 Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Gainesville $40
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:
- 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 Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville 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 $23Gainesville $70
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
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Gainesville $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.
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
- Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Gainesville $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Gainesville?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?
Both Gainesville 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. Also, most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gainesville. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Negril or Gainesville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene.
Negril is a little warmer than Gainesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Negril or Gainesville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Gainesville. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Gainesville averages at about 54°F (12°C).
Negril usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Negril or Gainesville in the Spring?
Both Gainesville and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.
In April, Negril is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Negril
| Negril | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 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.