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

Should you visit Negril or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco?

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!

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Francisco 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
    San Francisco Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Negril $150
    San Francisco $251

The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Negril $102
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Negril $204
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Negril and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Negril or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Negril $8.39
    San Francisco $16
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:

  • Kingston to North Coast Tour with Private Transfer: $228
  • Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Negril: $200
  • Grand Palladium Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $200
  • Private Airport Transfer Royalton Negril: $200
  • Private Transfers-Negril and Runaway Bay hotels(Round Trip): $180
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Negril: $174
  • Luxury Grand Palladium Transfer: $144
  • 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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Silicon Valley Private Tour with Transfers: $510
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Sacramento: $432
  • Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
  • Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $270
  • Sedan Airport Transfer from Walnut Creek to SFO (one way): $269
  • Sedan Airport Transfer from SFO to East Bay (one way): $262
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
  • Departure Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport by Luxury Sedan: $245
  • San Francisco to San José Airport (SJC) - Departure Private Transfer: $226
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tour : $200
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $185
  • Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Luxury Car: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
    San Francisco $79

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
  • No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
  • Melting Pot of the Mission District Food Tour: $74
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
  • North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
  • Mission District or North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tours: $85
  • San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
  • Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
  • San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Negril $26
    San Francisco $31
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
  • 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
  • Appleton and Y.S Falls Tour from Negril Hotels: $261
  • 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
  • Boat tour: $117

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.

  • Electric Bike Tour De San Francisco: $100
  • Explore San Francisco Napa Sacramento Oakland Black Exp Car Tour: $244
  • Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
  • North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor: $86
  • Private Luxury Car Tour in San Francisco Hotel Kabuki: $99
  • Small Group | 1 Day Tour Through Monterey From San Francisco: $205
  • "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
  • 1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour: $99
  • 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Plus Night Tour: $86
  • 2hr. INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
  • 2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
  • 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands GoCar Tour: $219

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Negril $9.74
    San Francisco $22

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 San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • Private Self Guided Tour and Bar Crawl in Chinatown San Francisco: $6.99
  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
  • San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $29
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
  • Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
  • 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103


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


Which is Bigger, Negril or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco 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, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Negril is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Negril or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Francisco 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 October, Negril is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Negril 27°C (81°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Negril or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

Negril is much warmer than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Negril usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Negril 25°C (77°F) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Negril or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as San Francisco. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Negril is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Negril 26°C (79°F) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Negril

Negril San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 27°C (81°F) 205 mm (8.1 in) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 188 mm (7.4 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 222 mm (8.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)