Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Negril or San Diego?
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 San Diego. 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 San Diego?
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!
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
-
Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $153San Diego $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $153, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $251. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $103San Diego $124
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $206San Diego $248
Compare Hotels in Negril and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Negril or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.53San Diego $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
-
Taxi From Airport$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: Kingston to Grand Palladium Resort: $240
- Fun Holiday Beach Resort Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $205
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain Jamaica From Negril Hotels: $200
- Private, Round-Trip Negril Airport Transfer: $200
- Private Transfers-Negril and Runaway Bay hotels(Round Trip): $180
- Private Transfer from Negril to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $167
- Luxury Transfer: Montego Bay Airport - Negril & Ocho Rios Resorts: $160
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $141
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $140
- Private Customizable Transfer from Sangster Intl Airport - Negril: $140
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer from SAN to Legoland: $300
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $264
- Private SUV Transfer from San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $166
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
- Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $160
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $140
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- Departure Transfer San Diego City to San Diego Airport SAN: $124
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 dayNegril $38San Diego $84
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
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
-
Mexican Lunch for Two$27
-
Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $89
- San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Guided Food Tour: $89
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $94
- Gaslamp District Food Tour with 6 Local Dishes: $96
- San Diego Gaslamp Food Tour with 6 Modern Californian Tastings: $97
- San Diego Chinese Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $99
- Vegan Italian Cooking Class in San Diego Cucina Migrante: $105
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26San Diego $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
2 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- 3 Hour Day Party Pass for Tourists at Jamaica Countryside Estate: $85
- ATV's, Shopping, Seven Mile Beach,Catamaran Cruise to Ricks Cafe: $130
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
- Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour: $185
- Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
- Bamboo Rafting and Rick Cafe Negril Private Tour: $140
- Bambuza ATV, Zipline and Horseback Adventure from Negril: $190
- Black River Safari and YS Falls Tour from Negril: $232
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Bob Marley Museum Tour From Negril Hotel: $215
- Customize Day Tour In Ochi (Horseback Riding,Rafting,Blue Hole, Dunns River ): $134
- Dune Buggies Experience and Mayfield falls: $276
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
San Diego Zoo$15
-
Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Polaris GoCar: $231
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour of Downtown and Balboa Park: $90
- 2-Hour GoCar Tour: Downtown San Diego and Old Town or Beaches: $52
- 2.5-Hour Small-Group Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Drinks: $119
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Balboa Park: $82
- 2Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Downtown & Old Town: $82
- 3-Hour Guided Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in San Diego: $169
- 4 Hour Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour or Rental: $87
- All Day San Diego Scenic Tour: $125
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Balboa Park Electric Scooter Tour with Pictures: $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.90San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Negril
Also in Negril, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $20
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: True Crime & Ghost Stories: $35
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Beach Cruisers & Dive Bars along Mission Beach Boardwalk: $135
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Negril much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and San Diego is in North 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 Negril would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Negril 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Negril.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
Both San Diego 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, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
Negril is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than San Diego. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Negril or San Diego in the Autumn?
Both San Diego 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. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Negril is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Negril or San Diego in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Negril is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Diego. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Negril or San Diego in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as San Diego. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Negril is much warmer than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.
Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Negril
| Negril | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
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.