Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Mazatlan?
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 Mazatlan. 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 Mazatlan?
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!
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Negril and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Mazatlan $21
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 Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport : $90
- Airport transfers, private tours and excursions in Jamaica : $80
- Azul Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer: $23
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer: $33
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $262
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $23Mazatlan $34
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Mazatlan $9.59
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
- 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
- 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 Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Mazatlan $18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Mazatlan, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Negril as well as Mazatlan. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Negril is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the summer, Negril often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mazatlan. Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Negril or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
Both Mazatlan and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Mazatlan in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or Mazatlan in the Winter?
Both Mazatlan 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. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Negril is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Negril usually gets more rain in January than Mazatlan. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Negril or Mazatlan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the beaches.
Negril is a little warmer than Mazatlan in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Negril
| Negril | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.