Which place is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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 Puerto Vallarta. 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 Puerto Vallarta?
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!
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta remains a popular tourist destination with Americans, particularly during spring break when students flock to the area. The area is quite beautiful and has many gorgeous beaches, interesting jungles and waterfalls nearby, and no shortage of luxury resorts and four star restaurants. Many of the locals speak English and are friendly and open to helping tourists with directions or general information. Puerto Vallarta's popularity means that its prices are some of the highest in Mexico, particularly during holidays when the area can get quite crowded.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico, and The Best Luxury Tours to Mexico.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesPuerto Vallarta Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $153Puerto Vallarta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $153, while the average daily cost in Puerto Vallarta is $136. 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 Puerto Vallarta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $104Puerto Vallarta $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $208Puerto Vallarta $122
Compare Hotels in Negril and Puerto Vallarta
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Puerto Vallarta? 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 Puerto Vallarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.54Puerto Vallarta $18
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:
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
- MBJ Airport Transfers to/from Montego Bay Hotels/Villas/Airbnb: $20
- Grand Palladium hotel transfer from Montego Bay airport: $29
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Falmouth, Grand Palladium: $35
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $35
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $37
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- MBJ Airport Private Transfers to any Negril Hotels: $39
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers Private Taxi to Hotels in Negril: $40
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Private Transfer To Hedonism Negril: $42
- MBJ Private Airport transfer to or from Negril: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Vallarta:
- Private Roundtrip Transfer Airport Hotel or Airbnb up to 12px: $290
- Diva Tours VIP Airport Round-Trip Transfer San Pancho-Sayulita: $280
- NAYARIT VIP Round Trip Transfers Airport - Bucerias - Airport: $209
- Private AC Airport Transfer to Sayulita: $200
- Privat Transfer from Puerto Vallarta Airport PVR to Punta de Mita: $181
- Sayulita hotels to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) – Private Departure Transfer: $153
- Puerto Vallarta Port to Puerto Vallarta RoundTripPrivate Transfer: $141
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta Port-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer from PVR to Puerto Vallarta / Punta de Mita / Sayulita: $139
- Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) - Private Departure Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Punta de Mita hotels - Private Arrival Transfer: $137
- Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Puerto Vallarta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Puerto Vallarta?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Vallarta 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 $38Puerto Vallarta $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner in the Sky Jamaica Round Trip Taxi & Guide only: $42
- Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Vallarta
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Puerto Vallarta.
- Old Town Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $49
- Ultimate Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Food Tours: $55
- Bucerias Taco Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- Winner 2026 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $59
- 3-Hour Guided Food Tour in Puerto Vallarta: $59
- Taco102 - dinner taco walk - all inclusive: $63
- Puerto Vallarta Guided Food Tour with 8 Locals Favorites Tastings: $65
- Vallarta Flavours Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $69
- Vallarta by Road Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours: $85
- Puerto Vallarta Ranch Cooking Class with Tequila Tasting: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Puerto Vallarta $18
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.
- Blue Hole Mineral Spring and Rastafari Herb Farm Experience: $40
- Private Negril Beach Experience and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $60
- Jamwest Push Kart Adventure Experience Entry Ticket in Negril: $60
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Rick's Cafe Glass Bottom Sunset Cruise: $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
- Choose Your Adventure: ATV, Zipline, Horseback Ride & Rafting: $80
- NEGRIL CATAMARAN CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe ALL HOTELS: $89
- Negril Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Snorkeling, Drinks & DJ: $89
- Family Catamaran Cruise from Jamwest Beach Negril Hotels: $90
Tours and Activities in Puerto Vallarta
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Vallarta are as follows:
- 1/2 Day Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden tour: $60
- 10 Zip Line Tour and Tequila Suspension Bridge Walk: $111
- 2 Hour Private Surfing Experience in Puerto Vallarta: $99
- 2 Hour and 30 Minutes Walking Tour in 5 De Diciembre: $51
- 4-Hour Whale Watching Cruise in Puerto Vallarta: $119
- ATV Adventure from Puerto Vallarta: $110
- ATV Adventure in Puerto Vallarta (Single): $107
- ATV All-Terrain Adventure in Punta Mita: $251
- ATV Doble in Puerto Vallarta Mountain and Waterfall Tour: $140
- ATV Jorullo Bridge Tour: $174
- ATV Single Jungle Adventure-Waterfalls, Tequila & Local Culture": $107
- ATV Tour: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.91Puerto Vallarta $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Puerto Vallarta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Puerto Vallarta:
- Puerto Vallarta Pub Crawl: $22
- Premium Tequila Tasting Puerto Vallarta Distillery: $28
- Secret Agave Bar Crawl in Vallarta: $98
- Cachasol Tequila Tasting & Raicilla Distillery Tour: $108
When comparing the travel costs between Negril and Puerto Vallarta, we can see that Negril 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 Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Puerto Vallarta, 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.