The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Cancún vs Negril

Cancún and Negril, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Cancún guide · Negril guide · How we score

By the numbers

CancúnNegril
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 2: Exercise Increased CautionLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog73
Average guest rating★ 4.5★ 4.5
Nightly rates$300–$800+/night$300–$800/night
Adults-only resorts3 of 72 of 3
Hurricane exposureIn the hurricane beltIn the hurricane belt
Rainy seasonJune–October, heaviest September–OctoberMay–June and September–November
Sweet spotDecember–AprilDecember–April — with a sunset every night of the year
AirportCancún (CUN) — Hotel Zone 20–30 min, Costa Mujeres ~40 minSangster (MBJ) — ~75–90 min transfer
Best forFirst trips, nightlife + beach combos, nonstop-flight convenienceBeach purists, couples, long unhurried stays

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Cancún — high °F828385878990909189878482
Negril — high °F838384858789898988878684
Cancún — rain (in)3.52.01.51.54.06.54.04.58.58.54.03.5
Negril — rain (in)0.80.60.71.34.23.82.63.85.57.03.21.4

Approximate climate normals for Cancún hotel zone and Seven Mile Beach — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Cancún

  1. 1.Hotel Mousai Cancun — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Excellence Playa Mujeres — Playa Mujeres, Mexico · ★ 4.9
  3. 3.Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún — Cancun, Mexico · ★ 4.6

Chains here: TAFER Hotels & Resorts · Excellence Resorts · Live Aqua

Full Cancún guide

Best of Negril

  1. 1.Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.6
  2. 2.Couples Swept Away — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5
  3. 3.Sandals Negril — Negril, Jamaica · ★ 4.5

Chains here: Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts · Couples Resorts · Sandals Resorts

Full Negril guide

More destination head-to-heads

Jamaica vs Dominican RepublicJamaica vs ArubaMexico vs Dominican RepublicJamaica vs MexicoAruba vs Turks & CaicosAruba vs CuraçaoJamaica vs St. LuciaMaldives vs MauritiusGreece vs TurkeyMaldives vs French PolynesiaCancún vs Punta CanaCancún vs Riviera MayaPunta Cana vs Riviera MayaMontego Bay vs NegrilLos Cabos vs Puerto Vallarta