Which place is cheaper, Wilmington 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 Wilmington?
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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington?
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!
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
-
Negril Prices
Jamaica PricesWilmington Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $150Wilmington $245
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $150, while the average daily cost in Wilmington is $245. 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 Wilmington in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $102Wilmington $120
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $204Wilmington $240
Compare Hotels in Negril and Wilmington
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.39Wilmington $47
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 Wilmington?
Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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 $38Wilmington $97
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 $26Wilmington $17
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 Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- 2 Hour Sunset Sailing Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $95
- 2-Hr, 45 Min Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour/Sightseeing/History: $70
- 3.25-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Airlie Gardens Self-Guided Tour: $70
- 5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Self-Guided Adventure Tour: $85
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Cycle-logical Tours Guided eBike History Tour of Oak Island: $90
- Downtown Wilmington Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $24
- Experience the Exciting Fun of Surf Fishing: $165
- History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
- Holiday Lights Cruise: $30
- Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $9.74Wilmington $39
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 Wilmington, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Wilmington?
Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Wilmington, 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 Wilmington?
Wilmington 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 Wilmington in the Summer?
Both Wilmington 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 Wilmington for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Negril is generally around the same temperature as Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Wilmington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Wilmington during summer. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. It's quite rainy in Negril. In July, Negril usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Wilmington 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Negril or Wilmington in the Autumn?
Both Wilmington 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the shopping scene.
Negril is a little warmer than Wilmington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the autumn, Negril often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets more rain in October than Wilmington. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Wilmington 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Negril or Wilmington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Wilmington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.
In the winter, Negril is much warmer than Wilmington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Negril in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Wilmington averages at about 45°F (7°C).
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Wilmington during winter. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Negril usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Wilmington 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Negril or Wilmington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Negril as well as Wilmington. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Wilmington for the beaches.
In April, Negril is generally much warmer than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 26°C (79°F), and Wilmington fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the spring, Negril often gets less sunshine than Wilmington. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun.
Negril receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril usually gets more rain in April than Wilmington. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Wilmington 63°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Wilmington and Negril
| Negril | Wilmington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 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.