Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Kingston?
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 Kingston. 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 Kingston?
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!
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Kingston $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $109. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Kingston $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Kingston $128
Compare Hotels in Negril and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Kingston $30
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:
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport transfers, private tours and excursions in Jamaica : $80
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Grand palladium Private Airport Transfers : $70
- Hotel transfer from negril to Montego Bay : $51
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $47
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotel: $50
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers-Negril(Round Trip): $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Montego Bay: $286
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $254
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 $23Kingston $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Kingston $13
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.
- Cruise Ship Excursion in Montego Bay : $41
- 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
- Ricks Cafe Sunset Catamaran Cruise Negril Palladium Montego Bay: $85
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise and Snorkelling: $90
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Negril Catamaran Adults Only Cruise, Snorkeling and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $110
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Lagoon and Canoeing Ride Experience Portland Jamaica : $210
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $322
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $373
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Kingston, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Negril or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Negril as well as Kingston. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the summer, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Negril or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Kingston. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Negril or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Negril during the winter 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 Kingston year-round.
Negril usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the winter, Negril often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
Negril is around the same temperature as Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Negril or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Kingston. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Negril is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Negril
| Negril | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.