When comparing Montego Bay vs Negril which do you go for?
First of all, well done you and great choice… out all the caribbean islands one can visit, you’re choosing to visit the proud island nation of Jamaica.
In essence what you’ve done is chosen the rum, reggae, jerk chicken, and steel drum sort of vacation or travel excursion, and I appluade you.
The dilemma of not knowing which resort is worth your time is sort of a privileged one really, as both spots are within quite close distance!
However, you already knew that so let’s look at the differences below.
This post contains affiliate links. Layer Culture is supported by you and I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase by clicking a link. Learn more.
Montego Bay vs Negril
In this guide we’ll compare the pro and cons of visiting Montego Bay over Negril and viseversa so you can make an unbiased choice for your trip.
I’d like to suggest that we put any negative ideas about travel safety in Jamaica we may have aside, because crime is easily avoidable here.
For crime updates: you can read my full Jamaica safety guide right here.
I will however, mention things to look out for as we get into this guide, helping you navigate the island while focusing on the best experiences
Will you be traveling to Jamaica soon?
Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers more than 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries. 
Should you stay in Montego Bay, or should you fulfill a passion for Negril?
Both destinations are touted as the best places to go in Jamaica as a tourist and it is a question that comes up a lot for travelers with limited time.
Let’s get into it shall we? Let’s start with the one and only…
Montego Bay
As we’ve identified, the two most popular spots in Jamaica (apart from Kingston and Ocho Rios) are none other than Montego Bay and Negril.
Both of these Jamaican resort towns have beautiful white sandy beaches and clear turquoise sea, but so does the rest of the island!
There are a few differences between these two towns, and here are some aspects of Montego Bay you ought to know before planning your visit.
Montego Bay on the map
The island of Jamaica has a strange shape to strictly name a section north or south since it is longer horizontally than it is vertically (on the map).
The important thing to know is that Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica, to the largest city (and capital) Kingston in terms of size.
Montego Bay is on the West side of the island facing north and Kingston is on the East side of the island facing south, giving each city its own vibe.
Jamaica is very mountainous, so you’ll find that many of the main roads run along the coastlines of the island offering some stunning ocean views.
Directly ahead of Montego Bay’s scope is Cuba and the Cayman Islands, whilst a couple of hundred miles off the east coast of Jamaica lies Hispaniola, with the nations of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
If you like the idea of planning a trip to Cuba as well, you can get a flight from Jamaica which usually does a pit-stop in the Cayman Islands.
The nearest Central American nation to Jamaica is Honduras, which is several hundred miles away and part of the Gringo Trail for many travelers.
How far is Montego Bay From Negril?
Montego Bay is around 76Km from Negril and has its own airport called Sangster. It has many different incoming and outgoing departure locations.
Kingston has a larger volume of incoming travelers due to the airport being larger. Kingston’s Airport, has connections to other parts of the island such as Montego Bay but it is more common to drive inbetween the two.
Then, if landing in Montego Bay, you can also easily get from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios as it’s on the north coast of the island, but nearer to the east.
The other major airport in Jamaica is the Ian Fleming Airport near Ocho Rios. Which you may have read about in one of his famous novels.
Getting From Montego Bay To Negril
If you’re looking to get to Negril, you’ll have to be either incredibly rich, incredibly lucky, or both to get a flight there that isn’t domestic.
Negril has an aerodrome, but the only flights that arrive there are the occasional domestic flights from Montego Bay and nothing international.
A popular option for visitors is to rent a car but I suggest you take look at all the options available for traveling to Negril, so you can compare the prices.
You can get there by bus, get a shuttle transfer, or a taxi direct from Sangster Airport, which is about an hour and a half down the coastal A1.
Travel safety in Montego Bay
Montego Bay is a city, so it is not without crime. In fact, crime rates in Montego Bay are abnormaly high, but mostly because of gang activity.
The majority of tourists rarely encounter issues and if you exercise a normal level of care and concern, you should have nothing to worry about.
There are of course certain people (mostly the petty type) who try to prey on tourists, so you don’t want to leave cash or valuables in plain sight.
If you’re traveling as a family or as a female solo traveler, you’d be better off and safer traveling by shuttle from the airport to your hotel or resort.
Jamaica is infamous for its crime, but in reality, it doesn’t take place until around the evening time. Incidents during the day are usually isolated.
Best time to go to Montego Bay
Montego Bay has warm and pleasant temperatures throughout the year and there is little change in temperatures from month to month.
Because of its balmy climate and blue skies, the peak season for Montego Bay, and most of Jamaica, is between the months of January and March.
This is the most crowded season, most of the best beaches in Jamaica get busy and the hotels raise their room rates significantly.
Rates at places such as the infamous S Hotel are much more reasonable during the summer and is located in a favourable part of Montego Bay for many for easy access.
Keep in mind that this is hurricane season – not a fun thing to experience. However, I wouldn’t let that put you off booking your trip to the island.
The best time to visit Montego Bay is from November to mid-December when the weather is pleasant and the room rates are reasonable.
Around this time, there are minimal showers but when they occur they never last more than ten minutes, so rain shouldn’t ruin your plans
Negril
Negril is a charming resort town on Jamaica’s western coast renowned for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant locals.
There aren’t too many things to do there (like there are in Montego Bay), but it is the perfect spot for anyone looking to just relax.
There is a huge public beach, as well as a few private beaches that are very quiet and away from all the noisy complexes like you’ll find near Montego Bay. This is what draws thousands of visitors a year: the quietness.
Negril on the map
Negril is towards the Western tip of the island, with the nearest major links all heading east towards Montego Bay, but connections are easy to find.
Aside from some of the best Jamaican Street food, you’ll find. Negril has a plethora of beach options and resorts, but there aren’t as many major tourist attractions as Ocho Rios for example, in the north of the island.
Kool Runnings Waterpark is great for the kids to play in and the Blue Hole Mineral Spring is an amazing naturally occurring pool/lagoon that’s eerily similar to a Mexican cenote, perfect for cooling off after a day at the beach.
If you’re looking for a lively spot to enjoy some music and laughter, then you have to check out Rick’s Café at sunset. Enjoy a bite to eat, listen to some live music performances, and jump into the sea all in the same place!
Travel Budget for Negril
Compared with the average prices in locations such as Cancun and other popular hotspots in the Caribbean, Negril is quite expensive.
This is due to Negril’s isolation and solitude compared to other spots in the Caribbean and the demand increasing prices slightly.
The average daily cost (including bed and board) for a trip to Negril is around $122 (USD) per day, which is slightly more expensive than a resort location such as Cancun ($97) in Mexico which is another contender.
For a two-week luxury stay in Cancun, the average is $4,092 (USD) per person, whereas in Negril it’s as high as $4,207 (USD) making Negril slightly more expensive overall.
Places such as SPA Retreat Boutique with its private beach and on-site restaurant is one of the most sought after places to stay in Negril.
This isn’t at all surprising when you consider how Negril is considered the quieter alternative to the bustling city and resort of Montego Bay. Here, you have to pay that little bit extra for privacy. However, I won’t be the first to tell you that you can also visit Negril on a budget if you plan it right.
Travel safety in Negril
The simple answer is yes. In general, Negril is quite safe during the day time but I suggest taking precautions when traveling during the night.
If you need to travel during the evening, be sure to take a taxi to and from your destination and avoid walking in the streets late at night.
Jamaica is a tropical climate, which means there will be tropical bugs and reptiles on your journey, so insect repellent is highly recommended.
Be sure to pack sunscreen during your vacation in Negril and also pack a strong dose of bug spray which you should definitely apply often.
You may want to check the Jamaica gov website or consult with your local doctor/gp about whether or not you’ll need to take a jab before the trip.
To stay safe and hydrated, bring plenty of mineral water with you on your excursions and avoid drinking tap water to avoid potential health risks.
Best Time to go to Negril
If you prefer a drier climate though, the best time to go to Negril is during the dry season which runs from December to April.
Temperatures are at their highest in the summer, with an average temperature of 27°C that often rises to the low-thirties at peak times, so stay hydrated and cool.
Humidity levels are lower and usually remain steady at 70%-75%. However, there are many that consider October and November time to be a slightly less hectic time in terms of crowding and prices compared to summer.
You can find cheaper rates during the Autumn months. Overall, the whole country keeps at a steady 27-32 degrees Celsius all year round, so there is guaranteed sunshine all year round for you to enjoy the beaches.
Montego Bay vs Negril: Final Words
All in all, Jamaica has everything a visitor seeks in a vacation: guaranteed sunshine, amazing white sand, and marvelous natural wonders.
The truth is, there’s so much to do and there are some beautiful places to visit in Jamaica, such that you won’t even need to trudge through any city!
Locations like Ocho Rios and Negril feel safer than Kingston, however, everything you need can be found in both Negril and Montego Bay.
Overall, Negril might be worth the sacrifice of a long car journey once you’ve landed. Why not see more Jamaica travel tips on this blog?
📌 Like this guide? Click to Pin it…
👉🏽 Did you enjoy this guide? Feel free to buy me a coffee to say thanks!
