Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Santa Elena?
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 Santa Elena. 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 Santa Elena?
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!
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $137Santa Elena $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $137, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $89. 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 Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $104Santa Elena $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $208Santa Elena $106
Compare Hotels in Negril and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Santa Elena? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.57Santa Elena $11
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:
- Royalton Negril Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $280
- Montego Bay: Private Transfer from Airport to Negril: $250
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
- From Mobay Airport: Luxury Private Transfer to Negril.: $170
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Lucea : $169
- Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $156
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $141
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Negril: $140
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
- Private Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels : $107
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Airport Transfer to Negril Hotels (Round-Trip): $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $187
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena 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 $22Santa Elena $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $68
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $80
- Private 3-5h Natural Herbs Tour, Shopping & Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $108
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Santa Elena $29
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.
- ATV's, Shopping, Seven Mile Beach,Catamaran Cruise to Ricks Cafe : $130
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $275
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour [Transportation services]: $125
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
- Appleton Rum Factory and Black River Safari Tour: $277
- 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: $364
- Atv Adventure and Ziplines with Private Transportation: $410
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Cafe Tour & Transportation: $331
- Atv, Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe Private Tour: $291
- Bamboo Rafting and Rick Cafe Negril Private Tour: $166
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $18
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $40
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $80
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Bird Watching Experience in Monteverde: $90
- Bird-Watching private tour : $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Coffee and Chocolate Walking and Sightseeing Tour at Monteverde Santa Elena: $81
- Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular): $52
- Coffee, Sugar Cane and Chocolate Tour in Monteverde with Guide: $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.95Santa Elena $6.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Santa Elena, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Negril or Santa Elena?
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 Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Elena. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Negril or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Also, June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. In January, Negril usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Negril is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Negril or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Santa Elena. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Santa Elena. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Negril is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Negril
| Negril | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.