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

Should you visit Negril or Salento?

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 Salento. 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 Salento?

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!

Salento

Founded in 1850, Salento is one of the oldest towns in Quindio. This colonial Colombian town has retained much of its old world charm, with its colorful buildings, large square and, of course, the obligatory church. Because the main route between Cali and Bogota which used to pass through Salento was diverted, the town didn't develop as quickly as others in the Quindio region. This gave Salento the opportunity to evolve into a thriving community of craftsmen and artisans as well as remaining one of the region's most prolific coffee producers. Salento is located 24 km northeast of the departmental capital Armenia. However, unlike its colorful neighbor, Armenia itself has very little to offer tourists. Salento attracts those wishing to learn about the coffee regions and for those who simply admire breathtaking scenery, and especially the stunning Cocora Valley.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Colombia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Salento 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 Salento is $33. 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 Salento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $106
    Salento $11
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $212
    Salento $22
Compare Hotels in Negril and Salento

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Salento? 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 Salento


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 Salento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.71
    Salento $14
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:

  • Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer: $23
  • Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer: $33
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
  • Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $47
  • Private Airport Transfer Grand Palladium/ Lady Hamilton Jamaica: $47
  • Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
  • Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotel: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salento

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salento:

  • Pereira Airport Private Transfer Service: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Salento?

Prices for flights to both Salento 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
    Salento $9.56

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salento

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salento.

  • Cooking Stories - Cocinando Historias: $46

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $27
    Salento $12
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 Salento

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salento are as follows:

  • Book a Private Tourist Guide through the Coffee Region: $139
  • Cocoa and Coffee Farm Tours from Pereira or Armenia: $185
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Hike Tour: $79
  • Cocora Valley and Salento Horseback Riding Day Tour: $137
  • Cocora Valley, Salento and Coffee Farm Day Tour : $124
  • Cocora, Salento and Filandia Tour: $100
  • Coffe Experience: Daily departure from Salento: $89
  • Coffee Farm and Salento Walking Tour with Lunch: $87
  • Coffee Tour and Salento Walking Tour with lunch: $94
  • Coffee tour in the heart of the coffee region: $28
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $62
  • Filandia and Salento Coffee Towns Tour: $105

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $10
    Salento $12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Negril or Salento?

Salento has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Salento, 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.