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

Should you visit Negril or Nags Head?

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 Nags Head. 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 Nags Head?

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!

Nags Head

Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Negril?

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

  • Negril Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Nags Head Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $150
    Nags Head $179

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $179. 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 Nags Head in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    Nags Head $80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Negril and Nags Head

Looking for a hotel in Negril or Nags Head? 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 Nags Head


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 Nags Head Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    Nags Head $40
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:

  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
  • Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Negril: $200
  • Private Airport Transfer Royalton Negril: $200
  • Private Transfer from Negril to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $176
  • Luxury Grand Palladium Transfer: $144
  • Private Customizable Transfer from Sangster Intl Airport - Negril: $140
  • Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) to Negril hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $134
  • Private Airport transfer to/from all hotels in Negril round trip: $130
  • Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril/Westmoreland Hotel: $123
  • Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
  • Private Montego Bay Airport/ Port Transfer To Hotels in Negril: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Nags Head?

Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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
    Nags Head $71

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
    Nags Head $14
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 Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
  • OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
  • Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    Nags Head $12

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 Nags Head

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:

  • Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109


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


Which is Bigger, Negril or Nags Head?

Nags Head has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?

Nags Head 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 Nags Head in the Summer?

Both Nags Head and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Nags Head. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Nags Head during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than Nags Head. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Autumn?

Both Nags Head and Negril during the autumn 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 much warmer than Nags Head in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 205 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Nags Head. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.

Nags Head can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Nags Head averages at about 41°F (5°C).

In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Nags Head during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Negril or Nags Head in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Nags Head. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Nags Head. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 262 hours of full sun.

Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Nags Head. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Nags Head and Negril

Negril Nags Head
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)