Which place is cheaper, Oahu or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Negril or Oahu?
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 Oahu. 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 Oahu?
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!
Oahu
Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
-
Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesOahu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Oahu $371
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Oahu is $371. 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 Oahu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Oahu $237
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in Negril and Oahu
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Oahu? 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 Oahu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Oahu $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oahu
Also for Oahu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Ko Olina, Cruise Port: $265
- Polynesian Show and Dining experience with Transfer: $230
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $224
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $224
- Private Transfer from Kawela to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
- Private Transfer from North Shore to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
- Private Transfer from Ko Olina to Honolulu (HLN) Airport : $139
- Waikiki: 5-in-1 Turtle Snorkeling Trip with Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu Airport HNL in Sedan Car: $119
- Manoa Falls Waterfall Hike with Lunch and Transfers: $119
- Private Transfer: Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Sedan: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Oahu?
Prices for flights to both Oahu 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 dayNegril $38Oahu $91
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $135
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
- Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
- Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $159
- Chief's Luau Dinner Show: $177
- Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner and Show: $193
- Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail from the Hilton Hawaiian Village : $211
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $236
- Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Oahu $27
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
- Guided Kayak Tour to Kailua’s Twin Islands: $219
- Waikiki Two Tank Guided Scuba Diving Adventure: Certified Diver: $249
- "Capture Memories: One-Hour Photography Experience at Waikiki": $150
- 1-Hour 3 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $109
- 18 Minutes PRIVATE Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $269
- 2-Hour 6 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $199
- 2-Hour Private Botanical Facial with Hand Dip Experience: $175
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $63
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure : $87
- 5 in 1 Deluxe Cruise: Turtle Snorkeling, Activities and Pick-Up: $59
- 8-Line Zipline Adventure on Oahu's North Shore: $204
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Oahu $6.47
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 Oahu
Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Negril or Oahu?
Oahu 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 Oahu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Oahu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Negril is around the same temperature as Oahu in the summer. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 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 Oahu. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Oahu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Negril or Oahu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Negril as well as Oahu. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Oahu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Negril is around the same temperature as Oahu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Negril in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Oahu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the autumn, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.
Negril receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Oahu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Negril or Oahu in the Winter?
Both Oahu 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.
In January, Negril is generally a little warmer than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 25°C (77°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Oahu. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Oahu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Negril or Oahu in the Spring?
Both Oahu 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. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Negril is around the same temperature as Oahu in the spring. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Oahu. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Oahu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Oahu and Negril
| Negril | Oahu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.