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

Should you visit Negril or Pucon?

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 Pucon. 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 Pucon?

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!

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon 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 Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $106
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $212
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Negril and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Pucon? 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 Pucon


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.71
    Pucon $19
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:

  • 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 Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $115
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon 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
    Pucon $38

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $27
    Pucon $37
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.

  • 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 Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $10
    Pucon $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Pucon, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Pucon 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 Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 Pucon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or Pucon?

Pucon has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?

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

In July, Negril is generally much warmer than Puconin January. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the summer, Negril often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Negril or Pucon in the Autumn?

Both Pucon and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.

Negril is much warmer than Pucon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Puconin April. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Negril or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon 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.

In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Pucon averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Negril. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Negril usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Negril or Pucon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round.

In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Puconin October. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puconin October. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Negril

Negril Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)