Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Negril or Medellin?
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 Medellin. 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 Medellin?
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!
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $152Medellin $37
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $152, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $37. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $103Medellin $5.89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $206Medellin $12
Compare Hotels in Negril and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.48Medellin $5.14
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$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to AZUL, ROYALTON, RIU, HEDONISM: $53
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Negril Airbnb Homes, Resorts: $133
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport: $50
- Airport Transfer To Negril Hotel: $70
- Airport transfer to or from Grand Palladium: $35
- Azul Negril Resort Airport Transfer: $53
- Azul Sensatori Jamaica Airport Transfers: $90
- Chukka and Rafting Ocho Rios with Private Transfer Negril Hotels: $200
- Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$2.05
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellín: 5-Day Luxury Tour with Private Transfers: $1,599
- Medellín - Arboletes, Antioquia Transfer by Van: $560
- Medellín Platinum Pack: Transfers + Hotel + Exclusive Tours: $250
- AIRPORT TRANSFER MEDELLIN JMC (MDE) Airport to El Peñol & Guatapé: $229
- Medellín: Comuna 13, Graffiti Workshop, Guide and Transfers: $206
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $203
- Minibus Departure Transfer from Medellin to Medellin Airport MDE: $171
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Arrival Private Transfer from Medellin Airport to City by Sedan: $151
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Medellin City to Medellin Airport: $151
- Guatapé and Piedra del Penol, Lunch Transfers and Guide: $134
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $38Medellin $21
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
- Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $14
- Medellin El Poblado Street Food Tour: $34
- Empanada Cooking Class with Local Chef - Comuna 13: $34
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $44
- Laureles Food Tour: $45
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $48
- Medellin Food Tour in Laureles: $54
- 4hr Cooking Class in Medellín with Traditional Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Medellín Home Cooking Class, Fruit Tasting & Colombian Snack: $55
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellin Private Nighttime City Sightseeing Tour by E-Bike + Gourmet Dinner: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Medellin $16
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$43
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- Catamaran, ATV and Horse Back Riding/Swim Day Tour: $51
- Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
- Negril Seven Mile Beach & Rick's Cafe Sunset Tour Negril Jamaica: $60
- Jamwest Push Kart Adventure Experience Entry Ticket in Negril: $60
- Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $65
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Tour: $75
- Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
- Choose Your Adventure: ATV, Zipline, Horseback Ride & Rafting: $80
- Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $138
- “Medellín: Quad Bike (ATV) Sightseeing Tour of 3 Mountains, Waterfall, and Lunch”: $130
- 2 Day Shared Tour in Medellin Guatapé and Commune 13: $93
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Secret Viewpoints of Medellin + Picacho + Neighborhood: Nighttime Experience: $147
- 4 Hours Private Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour: $60
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 5-Hour Coffee and Pablo Express Mix Tour in Medellín: $140
- A Night Tour of Medellin: $45
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.85Medellin $8.94
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The "Beyond Local Pub Crawl" Now in Medellín!: $24
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín: Pub crawl in Provenza, music, dancing, and shots: $30
- Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl: $49
- Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $150
- Medellín: San Francisco Wine Tour with Tastings & Lunch: $332
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Medellin, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Medellin is in South 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 670 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Medellin, 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.
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.