Which place is cheaper, Duck 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.
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Should you visit Negril or Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck 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!
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesDuck Key Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Duck Key $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $175. 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 Duck Key in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Duck Key $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Negril and Duck Key
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Duck 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.
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 $8.39Duck Key $69
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 Transfer To or From Jam West Adventure: $100
- 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 Transfer from Sangster Intl Airport to Negril Jamaica: $60
- Private Transfer from Negril to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $176
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport - Negril Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- 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 Duck Key?
Prices for flights to both Duck 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
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Food Meals for one dayNegril $38Duck Key $77
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
- Cultural Food Tour & Seven Mile Beach At Negril’s Margaritaville: $150
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Duck Key $30
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
- YS Falls and Sightseeing Tour Day Adventure: $138
- 7Mile Beach/Ricks Cafe Tour with Free Shopping from Montego Bay: $115
- 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
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Duck Key $7.99
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 Duck Key, we can see that Duck Key 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 Duck Key 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key 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 Duck Key Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Duck Key?
Negril has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Duck 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 Duck Key?
Duck 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 Duck Key in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Duck Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round.
Negril is around the same temperature as Duck Key in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Duck Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Duck 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 Duck Key. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Duck Key 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Negril or Duck Key in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Duck Key. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as Duck Key. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Duck Key averages at about 80°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck 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 Duck Key. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Duck Key. Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Duck Key. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Duck Key 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Negril or Duck Key in the Winter?
Both Duck 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 Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Duck Key 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Negril or Duck Key in the Spring?
Both Duck 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 Duck Key in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Duck Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
In Duck 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 Duck Key. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck 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 Duck Key. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Duck Key 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Duck Key and Negril
| Negril | Duck 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) |
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.