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

Should you visit Negril or Big Pine Key?

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 Big Pine Key. 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 Big Pine Key?

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!

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Big Pine Key or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Negril Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Big Pine Key Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $150
    Big Pine Key $174

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Big Pine Key is $174. 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 Big Pine Key in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    Big Pine Key $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    Big Pine Key $128
Compare Hotels in Negril and Big Pine Key

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Big Pine Key? 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 Big Pine Key


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    Big Pine Key $56
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:

  • Sandals South Coast Private Transfer (White House): $83
  • Roundtrip MBJ Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Hotel Riu Negril: $95
  • Round-trip Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort & Spa: $75
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
  • Private Transfers-Negril and Runaway Bay hotels(Round Trip): $180
  • Private Transfer from Sangster Intl Airport to Negril Jamaica: $60
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Negril: $174
  • Private Transfer between Hedonism ll Resort and Airport : $53
  • Private Transfer From or To Airport to Rui Negril : $61
  • Private Negril Hotels Transfer from Montego Bay (MBJ)Airport: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Big Pine Key?

Prices for flights to both Big Pine Key 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 $38
    Big Pine Key $72

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
  • The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $80
  • Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
  • Local food tour and local fields : $164

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    Big Pine Key $42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 2 Hr Horseback Ride
    $42

Tours and Activities in Negril

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.

  • Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise : $60
  • ATV's, Shopping, Seven Mile Beach,Catamaran Cruise to Ricks Cafe : $130
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour: $113
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Negril: $232
  • Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
  • Bamboo Rafting and Rick Cafe Negril Private Tour: $156
  • Bambuza ATV, Zipline and Horseback Adventure from Negril: $190
  • Benta River & Falls Private Tour From Montego Bay/Negril: $150
  • Black River Safari & YS Falls Guided Tour with Lunch & Admission from Negril: $145
  • Black River Safari and YS Falls Tour from Negril: $232
  • Blue Hole Secret Falls and Dunns River Falls Adventure: $134
  • Boat tour: $117

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    Big Pine Key $9.29

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


When comparing the travel costs between Negril and Big Pine Key, we can see that Big Pine Key is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Big Pine Key is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Negril or Big Pine Key?

Big Pine Key has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Big Pine Key, 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 Big Pine Key?

Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Big Pine Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round.

Negril is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.

Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Pine Key in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Big Pine Key. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Pine Key averages at about 80°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 258 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Pine Key in the Winter?

Both Big Pine Key and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year.

In January, Negril is generally a little warmer than Big Pine Key. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Big Pine Key during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Big Pine Key receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Negril usually receives more rain than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Negril or Big Pine Key in the Spring?

Both Big Pine Key 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.

Negril is around the same temperature as Big Pine Key in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Big Pine Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Pine Key receives 326 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Big Pine Key. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Big Pine Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Big Pine Key and Negril

Negril Big Pine Key
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)