Should you visit Ho Chi Minh City or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Ocho Rios can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ho Chi Minh City or Ocho Rios?
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It previously served as the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The metropolitan area, including Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa, and other surrounding towns, has a population of more than 9 million people and continues to grow.
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 Historical Tours in Vietnam, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Vietnam.
Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Ho Chi Minh City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Ho Chi Minh City is $88, 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 Ho Chi Minh City and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City 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:
Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Prices and
Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Short Taxi Ride
$1.35
-
Taxi From Airport
$7.70
-
Cyclo Ride (One Hour)
$1.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ho Chi Minh City
Also for Ho Chi Minh City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Taxi transfer from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City:
$358
-
Ho Chi Minh Airport (SGN) to Mui Ne - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$272
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang:
$270
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Nha Trang Cang Pha Vinpearl:
$270
-
Hanoi Private Transfer from Vinh City to Hanoi (HAN) Airport:
$267
-
Ho Chi Minh to Nha Trang - Private Transfer:
$259
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Da Lat:
$232
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Vinh Tan:
$220
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Cam Ranh:
$219
-
Private Transfer from Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport to Ha Tien Pier:
$219
-
Private Transfer from Cam Ranh to Tan Son Nhat (SGN) Airport:
$219
-
Private Transfer from Phong Nha to Da Nang (DAD) Airport:
$215
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Luxury Transfer to Sandals Dunn’s River from MBJ Airport:
$300
-
Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$244
-
Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels:
$228
-
Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios:
$225
-
Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels:
$215
-
Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip):
$200
-
Private Airport Transfers Montego Bay (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Rios:
$180
-
Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer:
$180
-
Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios:
$170
-
Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos:
$167
-
Private Transfer from Ocho Ríos to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport:
$167
-
Dunn’s River Falls: River Tubing with Lunch and Transfers:
$166
Is it cheaper to fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Ho Chi Minh City 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
Ho Chi Minh City $23
Ocho Rios $28
Typical Food Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ho Chi Minh City:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Ho Chi Minh City Street Food Tour with Local LGBT Student Guide:
$1.90
-
Mekong With Cai Be Less Tourist - Cooking Class:
$14
-
1 hour Egg Coffee Cooking Class with Snack and Local Instructor:
$14
-
Saigon Food Tour & Culture Explore Ho Chi Minh City Walking Tour:
$15
-
Mekong Delta 4 Islands, TukTuk, Boat, Try Khot Cake Local Cooking:
$16
-
HCM: Mekong Delta Boat, Khotcake cooking Coconut Village:
$16
-
Ho Chi Minh City Michelin & Street Food Tour by Motorbike or Car:
$16
-
Ho Chi Minh City Cyclo Ride with Lunch or Dinner Experience:
$18
-
Saigon Sightseeing & Street Food Tour By scooter with Student:
$23
-
Ho Chi Minh city Walking Chinatown / HCM city walking food tour:
$25
-
Street Food Tour In Ho Chi Minh City By Motorbike:
$26
-
Saigon Walking Food Tour & Hidden Alleys with Locals:
$26
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:
-
Exclusive Sunset Dinner At Reggae Hill:
$99
-
Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Runaway Bay:
$138
-
Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios:
$150
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
For Ho Chi Minh City, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ho Chi Minh City.
-
'Cost-Saving' Cu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta 1-Day Tour:
$59
-
1 Day Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta Private Adventure:
$156
-
1 Day Mekong Delta to Cai Be from Ho Chi Minh City Tour:
$45
-
1 Day Small Group Tour in Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta:
$90
-
1 Hour Saigon River Tour in Ho Chi Minh:
$13
-
1-Day City Tour: Saigon Chinatown, Must-See Icons & Cyclo Ride:
$128
-
1-Day Explore Non-Touristy Side Of Mekong Delta- Group 10 Max:
$130
-
1-Day Mekong Delta Tour: Less-Touristy Cai Be & Vinh Long(Max 10):
$35
-
1-Day Tour in Vung Tau Beach:
$59
-
1-Day Tour of Black Virgin Mountain - Cao Dai Temple - Cu Chi Tunnels from HCMC:
$65
-
1-day Ho Chi Minh city and Cu Chi tunnels group tour:
$46
-
1-day Mekong Delta Tour: Cai Be Market, Local Island and Cycling:
$125
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
$5.36
-
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.
-
2.5-Hours Nine Miles & Bob Marley's Mausoleum Private Tour:
$155
-
ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons):
$165
-
ATV and Blue Hole Adventure:
$190
-
ATV and Dunns River Falls Adventure:
$205
-
ATV, Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay:
$411
-
ATV, Horseback Riding and Bluehole Adventure Tour:
$210
-
Appleton Rum Tour and YS Falls:
$280
-
Aqua Fun Tours Dunns Falls, River Tubing and Horse Back:
$170
-
Bali Style High Ropes Swing and Dunn's River Fall Adventure:
$230
-
Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour In Ocho Rios:
$95
-
Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included):
$195
-
Bamboo River Rafting and Blue Hole Waterfall Adventure Ocho Rios:
$30
Alcohol
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ho Chi Minh City
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Ho Chi Minh City:
Sample the Local Flavors in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ho Chi Minh City:
-
Make Your Own Gin Experience and Saigon Baigur Distillery Tour:
$36
-
Bike And Craft Beer Brewery Mekong Delta Cycling Tour:
$152
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 comparing the travel costs between Ho Chi Minh City and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ho Chi Minh City is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Ho Chi Minh City is in Asia and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ho Chi Minh City Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ho Chi Minh City or Ocho Rios?
Ho Chi Minh City has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ho Chi Minh City 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.
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