A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Negril vs. Isla Mujeres for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Negril or Isla Mujeres?

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 Isla Mujeres. 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 Isla Mujeres?

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!

Isla Mujeres

About eight miles from the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Mujeres is an island in the Mexican Caribbean Sea. The town, of the same name, has a population of about 13,000. Tourism has grown in the area since the 1970s and today it is a significant part of the island's economy. As such, there are plenty of amenities that cater specifically to visitors. The island's proximity to Cuba make it a common transit point for Cubans in route to the United States.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Isla Mujeres or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $153, while the average daily cost in Isla Mujeres is $174. 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 Isla Mujeres in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $104
    Isla Mujeres $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $208
    Isla Mujeres $150
Compare Hotels in Negril and Isla Mujeres

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Isla Mujeres? 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.

Hotels in Negril


Hotels in Isla Mujeres


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 Isla Mujeres Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.55
    Isla Mujeres $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:


  • Taxi From Airport
    $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotel: $21
  • Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $30
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $34
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Falmouth, Grand Palladium: $35
  • Private Transfer from MontegoBay Airport to Lucea/Grand Palladium: $35
  • Grand Palladium Hotel Transfer from Montego Bay Jamaica Airport: $35
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
  • Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $40
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfers Private Taxi to Hotels in Negril: $40
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel Lucea Ja: $42
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Isla Mujeres

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Isla Mujeres:

  • Punta Sam / Isla Blanca to Cancún Airport (CUN)- Departure Private Transfer: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Isla Mujeres?

Prices for flights to both Isla Mujeres 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Negril $39
    Isla Mujeres $77

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
  • Local food tour and local fields: $164

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    Isla Mujeres $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $43

Tours and Activities in Negril

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.

  • ATV Adventure and Zipline with Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour in Negril: $42
  • Seven Mile Beach and Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour in Negril Jamaica: $50
  • Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $62
  • Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
  • Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $67
  • Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
  • Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
  • Negril Country Side Tour & Rick's Cafe: $82
  • 3 Hour Day Party Pass for Tourists at Jamaica Countryside Estate: $85
  • Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
  • Negril Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkeling, Drinks & DJ: $89
  • NEGRIL CATAMARAN CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe ALL HOTELS: $89

Tours and Activities in Isla Mujeres

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla Mujeres are as follows:

  • 3 Hours VIP Semiprivate Tour Isla Mujeres Full Snorkeling Experience: $88
  • Adventure and Snorkel with the Whale Shark From Playa del Carmen: $230
  • Catamaron Sunset Tour on Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling: $156
  • Chill at -18°C Isla Mujeres Ice Bar (tickets): $25
  • Contoy Island Snorkeling Tour Food & Drinks: $139
  • Contoy Island Tour from Cancun and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling: $177
  • Contoy Island Tour with Untouched Paradise and Beach Day: $139
  • Crystal Boat Tour to Isla Mujeres and Reefs: $41
  • Isla Contoy Snorkeling Experience with Buffet: $166
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Adventure at the Underwater Museum: $59
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour: $88
  • Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour Adventure: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.93
    Isla Mujeres $24

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 comparing the travel costs between Negril and Isla Mujeres, we can see that Isla Mujeres is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Isla Mujeres is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Isla Mujeres Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or Isla Mujeres?

Isla Mujeres has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Isla Mujeres, 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.