Which place is cheaper, Tena or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Tena?
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 Tena. 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 Tena?
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!
Tena
Tena is the capital of the Napo Province, an attractive and quiet city in the Amazon rainforest, and is known as the "cinnamon capital" of Ecuador. Tena has a friendly population, lots of backpacker infrastructure, a gorgeous setting surrounded by jungle-covered hills and a high concentration of surrounding rivers where white-water lovers from around the world come to paddle and kayak. The town provides a gateway to exploration into Ecuador's most accessible part of the great Amazon rainforest, which does not leave visitors disappointed. Beyond being a base for discovering the jungle and its wildlife, Tena is also a hub for adventure sports which are abundant in the area. Tena is a charming place where many travelers find themselves hanging around quite happily before or after a trip into the rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Colombia, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Tena $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Tena is $51. 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 Tena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Tena $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Tena $48
Compare Hotels in Negril and Tena
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Tena? 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 $8.71Tena $17
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 Tena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tena:
- Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
- Popayan to Cali Private Transfer: $272
- Private Transfer from Villavieja to San Agustín: $150
- Roundtrip transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $84
- Transfer in private minivan Medellin airport (MDE)- Guatape: $42
- San Andres hotels to San Andres Airport (ADZ) Departure Transfer: $36
- Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Palonegro Airport(BGA) to Bucaramanga: $29
- Transfer in Private Car from Bucaramanga Palonegro Airport (BGA) to Bucaramanga: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Tena?
Prices for flights to both Tena 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 $23Tena $15
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 $27Tena $15
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 Tena
Here are a few actual costs in Tena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 4-Hour Private Walking Tour along Ruta de Las Flores: $42
- Enjoy a Coffee Tour & Santa Fe de Antioquia Colonial Town!!: $135
- Full Day Adventure Laguna Negra-Páramo de Ocetá from Mongua: $20
- Gastronomic Private Walking Tour in Popayán: $50
- Popayán Tour from Cali: $216
- Popayan and Silvia Town Private Tour from Cali: $240
- Private 2-hour Diving Experience with Instructor: $65
- Private Guided Tour to Piedra Colgada and Indian Face and Lagoon: $75
- Scuba Diving Private Tour in San Andres: $130
- Tour 5 Rosario Islands: $94
- Unique experience flying paragliding: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Tena $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Tena, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Tena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Tena 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 Tena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tena 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 Tena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Tena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Tena?
Negril has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tena. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Tena, 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.
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.