Which place is cheaper, Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean 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 Ocean 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!
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesOcean City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Ocean City $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Ocean City is $196. 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 Ocean City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Ocean City $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Ocean City $166
Compare Hotels in Negril and Ocean City
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Ocean 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 Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Ocean City $47
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Ocean City?
Prices for flights to both Ocean 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 $38Ocean City $85
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $26Ocean City $18
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Ocean City $14
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Ocean City, we can see that Ocean City 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 Ocean City 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 Ocean City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocean City 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 Ocean City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Ocean City?
Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Ocean 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.
When is the best time to visit Negril or Ocean City?
Ocean City 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 Ocean City in the Summer?
Both Ocean City and Negril during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Ocean City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocean City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
Ocean City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Ocean City. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Ocean City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Negril or Ocean City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Ocean City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Negril is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocean City fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Ocean City 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Negril or Ocean City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Ocean City. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ocean City can be very cold during winter. Negril is much warmer than Ocean City in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
Negril usually gets less rain in January than Ocean City. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Ocean City 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit Negril or Ocean City in the Spring?
Both Ocean City and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches.
In the spring, Negril is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Ocean City averages at about 54°F (12°C).
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Ocean City 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Ocean City and Negril
| Negril | Ocean City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 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.