Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Ocho Rios can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Ocho Rios?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Ocho Rios $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $87. 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 Arusha and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Ocho Rios $52
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Ocho Rios $104
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Ocho Rios? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Ocho Rios $7.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
- Runaway Bay to Norman Manley Airport (KIN) - Departure Private Transfer: $126
- Runaway Bay Hotels Transfers between Montego Bay Airport: $60
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer: $53
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $50
- Riu Ocho Rios Jamaica Private Airport Transfer: $80
- Private Transfers To/From Ocho Rios & OCJ Airport Across Jamaica: $143
- Private Transfer to Yaaman Adventure Park from Ocho Rios: $65
- Private Transfer to White River Tubing Ocho Rios: $45
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $40
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Ocho Rios $28
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Runaway Bay: $138
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
- 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
- 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
- 1-Day Trip Tarangire N.P Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari: $270
- 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha: $260
- A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
- Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Arusha City town tour: $101
- Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate$11
-
Admission to Coyaba Gardens$5.37
-
Tour of Prospect Plantation$18
Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV and Dunns River Falls Adventure: $205
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $411
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $219
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour With Lunch: $120
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $110
- ATV, Dunn’s River Falls & Blue Hole Guided Tour In Jamaica: $270
- ATV, Horseback Riding and Bluehole Adventure Tour: $189
- All In One Full Day Tour in Saint Ann Garden Parish Jamaica: $147
- Aqua Fun Tours Dunns Falls, River Tubing and Horse Back: $170
- BOGO Adventure: ATV and/or Horseback Ride and Swim in Ocho Rios: $139
- Bali Style High Ropes Swing and Dunn's River Fall Adventure: $230
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Ocho Rios $7.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Ocho Rios
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ocho Rios:
- Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Ocho Rios, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Ocho Rios.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Ocho Rios?
Arusha has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Ocho Rios, 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.
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.