A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Negril vs. Mystic for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Negril or Mystic?

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 Mystic. 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 Mystic?

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!

Mystic

Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Mystic or Negril?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Mystic is $248. 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 Mystic in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    Mystic $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    Mystic $250
Compare Hotels in Negril and Mystic

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Mystic? 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.

Hotels in Negril


Hotels in Mystic


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 Mystic Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    Mystic $56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:


  • 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 Mystic?

Prices for flights to both Mystic 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Negril $38
    Mystic $90

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    Mystic $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril

For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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

Tours and Activities in Mystic

For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
  • Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $32
  • Mystic's Ghosts GPS Self Guided Audio Walking Tour w/EMF Reader: $7.80
  • Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
  • Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
  • Guided Graveyard Ghost Tour by Moonlight: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    Mystic $31

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 Mystic

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:

  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
  • Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or Mystic?

Mystic has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Mystic, 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 Mystic?

Mystic 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 Mystic in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Mystic. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

In July, Negril is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Mystic during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 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 Mystic. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Mystic 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Negril or Mystic in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Mystic. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the shopping scene.

Negril is much warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.

Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Mystic. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Mystic 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Negril or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic 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 Mystic in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mystic can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Mystic. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Mystic 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Negril or Mystic in the Spring?

Both Mystic 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches during these months.

In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Mystic. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Mystic 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Mystic and Negril

Negril Mystic
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)