Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach?
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 Cocoa Beach. 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 Cocoa Beach?
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!
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
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.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesCocoa Beach Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Cocoa Beach $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $176. 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 Cocoa Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Cocoa Beach $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Negril and Cocoa Beach
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Cocoa Beach? 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 Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Cocoa Beach $26
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:
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $295
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Cocoa Beach?
Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach 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 $38Cocoa Beach $75
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 Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
- Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Cocoa Beach $16
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
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Virtual Reality Experience Skull & Books VR - Cocoa Beach: $45
- LED Bio Comb Jelly Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Tour!: $75
- 2 Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon: $75
- 2 Hour Tiki Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Cocoa Beach: $65
- 2 Hr Dolphin & Manatee River Cruise . Melbourne, Cocoa Beach,Fl. : $30
- 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $49
- Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando: $75
- Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $70
- Bioluminescence Night Craigcat Tours : $190
- Bioluminescence Rafting Boat Tour Wildlife Refuge: $78
- Bioluminescence Rafting Tour - Wildlife Refuge (Titusville): $60
- Bioluminescence Rafting Tour Cocoa Beach: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Cocoa Beach $20
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 Cocoa Beach, we can see that Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Cocoa Beach, 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 Cocoa Beach?
Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Cocoa Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Negril usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Negril or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Cocoa Beach. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene.
In October, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Cocoa Beach. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Negril or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?
Both Cocoa Beach and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Negril is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach 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)Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Negril or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?
Both Cocoa Beach 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. Also, most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Negril is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 73°F (23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Cocoa Beach. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Negril
| Negril | Cocoa Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.