Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Jaco?
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 Jaco. 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 Jaco?
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!
Jaco
Jaco is a beach destination on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This resort city is located in the county of Garabito in the Puntarenas province. It has a population of about 10,000 residents and a 2.5 mile long beach that is an excellent surfing destination.
Because Jaco is located on the coast, it's weather is influenced by the water. The climate is humid with a relative humidity of about 80%, but climbing to 90% in the month of June. The temperature is usually between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at night. There are distinct wet and dry seasons with August through early December being the rainy season and late December through early April being the dry season. Rain is irregular during the rest of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $104. 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 Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Negril and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Jaco? 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 Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Jaco -
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:
- Transfers between Montego Bay Airport and Negril Hotels: $107
- Sunset at The Palms Airport Transfer: $53
- Royalton Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Private Transfer to Hotels in Negril from Montego Bay Airport : $55
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Private Transfer between Hedonism ll Resort and Airport : $53
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica: $80
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotels: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco 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 $23Jaco $21
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 Jaco
For Jaco, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hermosa BeachLlunch$3.94
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$18
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Taco Bar Dinner$9.01
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.31
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Ice Cream$5.92
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.34
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Fruit Plate$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Jaco $60
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaco
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Jaco's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Dance Class$9.82
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.82
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Tortuga Island Tour$98
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Massage$44
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle & River ATV Adventure, 2 hours / Jacó: $95
- Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $71
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $75
- 2 Hour Private Ranch Experience in Quebrada Amarilla: $120
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- 2 hour ATV Tour & Waterfalls + Chocolate Experience : $110
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach : $99
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $110
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $95
- 4×4 Waterfalls and Jungle Experience: $80
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Jaco $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jaco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Jaco:
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Wine$15
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Night at the Bar$27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Jaco, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Jaco 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 Jaco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaco 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 Jaco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Jaco?
Jaco has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Jaco, 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 Jaco?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Negril or Jaco in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jaco. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Negril or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Jaco. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Jaco. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets less rain in October than Jaco. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or Jaco in the Winter?
Both Jaco and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Negril usually receives more rain than Jaco. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Jaco during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Negril is around the same temperature as Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco and Negril during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Jaco. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Negril is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Negril
| Negril | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.