Which place is cheaper, Puerto Varas or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Puerto Varas?
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 Varas. 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 Varas?
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 Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Puerto Varas $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Puerto Varas is $109. 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 Varas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Puerto Varas $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Puerto Varas $134
Compare Hotels in Negril and Puerto Varas
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Puerto Varas? 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 Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Puerto Varas $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 Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Puerto Varas?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Varas 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 $23Puerto Varas $25
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Puerto Varas $19
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 Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Adventure Fullday Tour Osorno Volcano and Saltos de Petrohue National Park: $150
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Full-Day Osorno Vulcano and Petrohue Falls Small-Group Tour: $80
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- Lake Llanquihue Bike Tour in Puerto Varas: $129
- Petrohue Falls and Osorno Volcano Bike Tour: $124
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
- Premium Half Day Shared Tour Sunset at Osorno Volcano: $130
- Premium Small-Group Half day Tour to Frutillar in Puerto Varas: $144
- Private Rock Climbing Experience in Northern Patagonia: $100
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Puerto Varas $6.51
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Puerto Varas, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas.
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 Varas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Puerto Varas, 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 Puerto Varas?
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Negril as well as Puerto Varas. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Negril is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the summer, Negril often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin January. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 204 hours of full sun.
Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Varasin January. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNegril 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Negril or Puerto Varas in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Varas and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.
In the autumn, Negril is much warmer than Puerto Varas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Varas averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Varas. It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Puerto Varasin April. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNegril 27°C (81°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Negril or Puerto Varas in the Winter?
Both Puerto Varas 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 January, Negril is generally much warmer than Puerto Varasin July. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
It's quite sunny in Negril. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Puerto Varasin July. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Varas receives 67 hours of full sun.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Negril usually gets less rain in January than Puerto Varasin July. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNegril 25°C (77°F)Puerto Varas 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Negril or Puerto Varas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Puerto Varas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round.
Negril is much warmer than Puerto Varas in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Puerto Varas fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Varas during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Varas receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives less rain than Puerto Varasin October. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Puerto Varas receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNegril 26°C (79°F)Puerto Varas 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Varas and Negril
| Negril | Puerto Varas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.