Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Negril or Big Sur?
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 Sur. 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 Sur?
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 Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesBig Sur Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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 Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Negril and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Big Sur? 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 $8.39Big Sur -
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:
- Kingston to North Coast Tour with Private Transfer: $228
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Negril: $200
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
- Private Airport Transfer Royalton Negril: $200
- Private Transfers-Negril and Runaway Bay hotels(Round Trip): $180
- Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Negril: $174
- Luxury Grand Palladium Transfer: $144
- Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) to Negril hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
- Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $130
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril/Westmoreland Hotel: $123
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur 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 $38Big Sur -
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Big Sur -
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$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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Big Sur -
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Big Sur, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
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 Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Negril or Big Sur?
Big Sur 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 Sur in the Summer?
Both Big Sur 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, many visitors come to Big Sur in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Negril is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Negril or Big Sur in the Autumn?
Both Big Sur 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, most visitors come to Big Sur for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Negril is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Negril or Big Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the cuisine.
Negril is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Big Sur. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Negril or Big Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Big Sur. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.
In the spring, Negril is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).
Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Big Sur. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Negril
| Negril | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.