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

Should you visit Negril or Nags Head?

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 Nags Head. 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 Nags Head?

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!

Nags Head

Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $149. 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 Nags Head in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $106
    Nags Head $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $212
    Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Negril and Nags Head

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Nags Head? 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 Nags Head


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 Nags Head Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.71
    Nags Head $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

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


  • Taxi From Airport
    $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril

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

  • Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
  • Montego Bay: Private Transfer from Airport to Negril: $250
  • Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $170
  • Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Negril: $140
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
  • Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
  • Transfers between Montego Bay Airport and Negril Hotels: $107
  • Private Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels : $107
  • Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
  • Airport Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport : $90
  • Sandals South Coast Private Transfer (White House): $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Nags Head?

Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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 $23
    Nags Head $41

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: $85
  • Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
  • Local food tour and local fields : $164

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $27
    Nags Head $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

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


  • 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

Tours and Activities in Nags Head

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

  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
  • Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
  • OBX Ghost Tours: $25
  • Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $10
    Nags Head $12


When comparing the travel costs between Negril and Nags Head, we can see that Nags Head 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 Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or Nags Head?

Nags Head has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?

Nags Head 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 Nags Head in the Summer?

Both Nags Head and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Nags Head. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nags Head during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than Nags Head. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Autumn?

Both Nags Head and Negril during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Negril is much warmer than Nags Head in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 205 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Nags Head. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.

Nags Head can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Nags Head averages at about 41°F (5°C).

In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Nags Head during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Nags Head. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Nags Head. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 262 hours of full sun.

Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Nags Head. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Nags Head and Negril

Negril Nags Head
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)