Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City?
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 Guatemala City. 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 Guatemala City?
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!
Guatemala City
Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesGuatemala City Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Guatemala City $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Guatemala City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Guatemala City $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Guatemala City $48
Compare Hotels in Negril and Guatemala City
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Guatemala City? 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 Guatemala City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Guatemala City $6.25
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
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $30
- MBJ Airport Private Transfers to any Negril Hotels: $35
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $38
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer : $40
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
- Private Transfer - Guatemala Airport (GUA) to Puerto Quetzal Port: $209
- Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
- Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Quetzaltenango-Arrival Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Coban: $161
- Private Transfer from La Aurora Airport to Antigua Guatemala: $120
- Transfer from Airport to Antigua: $90
- Private Ground Transfer Guatemala City To Panajachel, LakeAtitlan: $80
- Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
- Private Transfer From La Aurora AirPort to Panajachel Atitlan : $67
- Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Guatemala City?
Prices for flights to both Guatemala City 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 $38Guatemala City $27
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guatemala City.
- PRIVATE MAYAN COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF EN Guatemala City: $65
- Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
- Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $175
- Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Guatemala City $1.22
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
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise : $60
- Private Negril Beach Experience and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $60
- Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
- 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 : $89
- Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise and Snorkelling: $90
- Family Catamaran Cruise from Jamwest Beach Negril Hotels: $90
Tours and Activities in Guatemala City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:
- 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
- 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $195
- 3 Days Tour in Acatenango Volcano: $240
- 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
- 3-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $60
- 4-Hour Bike Tour Guatemala City: $70
- Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
- Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
- Antigua Guatemala & Guatemala City Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala , Full-Day Shared Tour from Guatemala City: $75
- Antigua Guatemala Full Day Tour: $65
- Antigua Guatemala Stopover Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Guatemala City $6.93
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 Guatemala City
Also in Guatemala City, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Guatemala City Legends Tour + Craft Beers at El Cadejo Brewery: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Guatemala City, we can see that Negril is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Guatemala City is in Central 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Guatemala City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Guatemala City?
Guatemala City has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Guatemala City, 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.
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.