Which place is cheaper, Clearwater 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 Clearwater?
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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater?
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!
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesClearwater Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Clearwater $343
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Clearwater is $343. 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 Clearwater in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Clearwater $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Clearwater $282
Compare Hotels in Negril and Clearwater
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Clearwater? 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 Clearwater Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Clearwater $221
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:
- Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer 1 Way: $23
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $25
- MBJ Airport Private transfers to any Hotels in Negril: $29
- Grand Palladium Jamaica Private Transfers : $29
- MBJ Airport Private Transfers to any Negril Hotels: $35
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- Private Transfer from MontegoBay Airport to Lucea/Grand Palladium: $39
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer : $40
- Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Transfers from Montego Bay Airport: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Clearwater?
Prices for flights to both Clearwater 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 $38Clearwater $79
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Clearwater
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Clearwater.
- Clearwater Beach Fun and Tropical Food Tour: $99
- Clearwater Beach: Tropical Delights Walking Food Tour: $106
- Taste of Downtown St Petersburg-A Walking/Food Tour: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Clearwater -
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.
- Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $56
- Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise : $60
- Private Negril Beach Experience and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $60
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
- Negril Country Side Tour & Rick's Cafe : $82
- Off-road ATV Adventure with Wall Climbing: $85
- PARTY Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling Rick's Cafe ADULTS ONLY: $88
- NEGRIL CRUISE Sunset Ricks Cafe Adults only ALL HOTELS : $88
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise and Snorkelling: $90
Tours and Activities in Clearwater
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:
- Clearwater Beach Yoga Experience : $35
- !! Flippers Fun Boat !! Dolphin Adventure Clearwater Beach!: $32
- 1,5h Tiki Tour with Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks, Clearwater Beach: $50
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour around Clearwater Beach: $79
- 2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida: $35
- 2 Hour Tarpon Springs Sunset and Night Guided Kayak Tour: $49
- 2 Hours Kayak Eco Tour in Tarpon Springs: $54
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg: $67
- 2.5 Hour Kayaking with Manatee and History Tour in Tarpon Springs: $68
- 2.5 Hour Shell Key Island Adventure Including Dolphins And Shells: $59
- 3 hour - Two Island Sandbar Tiki Adventure: $595
- 4 Hour Egmont Key Island Tour With Dolphins & Snorkeling Included: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Clearwater -
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Clearwater, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Negril much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Clearwater 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 Negril would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Negril 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Negril.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Clearwater Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Clearwater?
Clearwater has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Clearwater, 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 Clearwater?
Clearwater 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 Clearwater in the Summer?
Both Clearwater and Negril during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.
In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Clearwater fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the summer, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Clearwater. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 265 hours of full sun.
Clearwater 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 July than Clearwater. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Clearwater 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Negril or Clearwater in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Clearwater. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, many travelers come to Clearwater for the shopping scene.
Negril is a little warmer than Clearwater in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Clearwater fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Clearwater during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Clearwater 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Negril or Clearwater in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Clearwater. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Clearwater in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Clearwater. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Clearwater averages at about 60°F (15°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Clearwater. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Clearwater receives 200 hours of full sun.
Negril usually gets less rain in January than Clearwater. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Clearwater 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Negril or Clearwater in the Spring?
Both Clearwater and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches during these months.
In April, Negril is generally a little warmer than Clearwater. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Clearwater fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Clearwater. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Clearwater during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Clearwater receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Clearwater. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Clearwater receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Clearwater 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Clearwater and Negril
| Negril | Clearwater | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.