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

Should you visit Negril or New Bern?

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 New Bern. 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 New Bern?

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!

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Bern 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
    New Bern Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $150
    New Bern $169

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $169. 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 New Bern in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    New Bern $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Negril and New Bern

Looking for a hotel in Negril or New Bern? 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 New Bern


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 New Bern Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    New Bern $34
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:

  • Airport Transfer To Negril: $60
  • Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
  • Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Grand Palladium Transfer 1 Way: $23
  • Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer 1 way: $33
  • Convenient Airport Transfer To Hotels in Negril : $75
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer : $45
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfer : $40
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
  • Grand Palladium Jamaica & Lady Hamilton MBj Airport Transfer: $60
  • Grand Palladium Jamaica - Lady Hamilton Airport Transfer MBJ ***: $15
  • Grand Palladium Jamaica Private Transfers : $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or New Bern?

Prices for flights to both New Bern 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
    New Bern $70

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    New Bern $26
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.

  • Rockland's Bird Sanctuary Tour from Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $56
  • Private Seven Mile Beach and Rick’s Café Tour From Negril Hotels: $59
  • Negril Beach Experience & Rick's Cafe from Negril: $59
  • Private Negril Beach Experience and Rick's Cafe from Negril: $60
  • Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
  • Rick's Cafe Sunset Cruise : $60
  • Negril Glass Bottom Boat Tour Snorkeling and Booby Cay: $65
  • Private Negril Highlights Tour: $75
  • Zimbali's Rasta Tour Lunch: $75
  • Private Guided 2-Hour Tour in Montego Bay: $77
  • Rose Hall Great House and Glistening Waters Luminous Lagoon Tour : $80
  • Negril Country Side Tour & Rick's Cafe : $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    New Bern $30

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 comparing the travel costs between Negril and New Bern, we can see that New Bern is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Negril is in Caribbean Islands and New Bern is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is New Bern Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Negril or New Bern?

New Bern has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and New Bern, 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 New Bern?

New Bern 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 New Bern in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Negril as well as New Bern. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as New Bern. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as New Bern. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    New Bern 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Negril or New Bern in the Autumn?

Both New Bern and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Negril is a little warmer than New Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than New Bern. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    New Bern 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Negril or New Bern in the Winter?

Both New Bern and Negril during the winter 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 New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Negril is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and New Bern averages at about 44°F (7°C).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Negril usually gets less rain in January than New Bern. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    New Bern 44°F (7°C)

Should I visit Negril or New Bern in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and New Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm.

In April, Negril is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than New Bern. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    New Bern 62°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for New Bern and Negril

Negril New Bern
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)