Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or San Jose?
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 Jose. 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 Jose?
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 Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139San Jose $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $90. 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 Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106San Jose $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212San Jose $98
Compare Hotels in Negril and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Negril or San Jose? 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 Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71San Jose $19
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:
- Sunset at The Palms Airport Transfer: $53
- Royalton Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica: $80
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril Hotels: $59
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $170
- Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO$25
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Local Bus$2.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tortuguero: $300
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $299
- Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $280
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer From San Jose to Cahuita With 2 Stops: $272
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose 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 $23San Jose $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose : $34
- Tropical Cooking Classes: $52
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktails Classes: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27San Jose $21
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.
- ATV Outback Adventure From Negril: $144
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $275
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
- Appleton Estate Rum and Black River Safari Private Tour : $185
- Appleton Rum Factory and Black River Safari Tour: $280
- Appleton Rum Factory, YS Falls, and Reggae Horseback Ride & Swim Combo Tour: $195
- Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
- Atv Adventure and Ricks Cafe with Private Transportation: $367
- Atv Adventure and Ziplines with Private Transportation: $414
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe Tour & Transportation: $334
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe Private Tour: $294
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Poas Volcano National Park Tour and Bird watching in Costa Rica: $205
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 2-Hour Downtown San Jose Walking Tour: $33
- 2-Hour Orosi Nocturnal Tour: $33
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano & Baldi Hot Springs one day tour from San Jose: $199
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10San Jose $17
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and San Jose, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and San Jose is in Central 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 San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose 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 San Jose.
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 Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or San Jose?
San Jose has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and San Jose, 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 Jose?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Negril or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and San Jose. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Jose. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as San Jose. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Negril or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as San Jose. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
Negril is around the same temperature as San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Negril usually receives more rain than San Jose. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Negril is around the same temperature as San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Negril during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, Negril is generally cooler than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Negril
| Negril | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.