Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Kota Kinabalu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios?
Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, originally Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah, which is on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Kota Kinabalu is located just between the western side of the island and Tambunan Rafflesia Forest Reserve. Most of Kota Kinabalu's historic buildings were destroyed by bombing during World War II, so the city had to be rebuilt. KK, as it's commonly called, is a compact, but booming town today, with its new shopping centers, seaside condominiums, and bustling marketplaces.
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 Luxury Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia.
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Kota Kinabalu Prices
Malaysia PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKota Kinabalu $69Ocho Rios $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Kota Kinabalu is $69, 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 Kota Kinabalu and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKota Kinabalu $21Ocho Rios $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKota Kinabalu $42Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Kota Kinabalu and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Kota Kinabalu 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: Kota Kinabalu Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kota Kinabalu $26Ocho Rios $7.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kota Kinabalu:
- Monsopiad Cultural Village Visit with Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu: $50
- Kota Kinab Airport to Kota Kinabalu - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $47
- Borneo to Kota Kinabalu Airport(BKI) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) to Borneo - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer: Kota Kinabalu International Airport to/from Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer : Kota Kinabalu International Airport: $27
- Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) Private Transfer to Kota Kinabalu: $25
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Hotels to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Private Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Port to Kota Kinabalu hotels: $24
- Private Transfer- Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
- Transfer from Kota Kinabalu Airport BKI to Kota Kinabalu Port: $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jamaica Private Hotel and Airport Transfer: $5.00
- Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) Transfer One-Way or Round-Trip to Hotel: $19
- Private Transfer From the Ocho Rios Airport/ Ian Fleming: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Dunns River Climb and Zipline over the Falls!: $34
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $39
- Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $40
- Private Transfer From Kingston Airport To Kingston Hotel One Way: $40
- Private Nightlife Transfer Around Ocho Rios: $40
- Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $40
- Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Kota Kinabalu 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
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Food Meals for one dayKota Kinabalu $30Ocho Rios $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kota Kinabalu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kota Kinabalu.
- Beringgis Mangove Fireflies, Sunset Tour & Dinner: $32
- Sabah Traditional Authentic Cuisine Cooking Class 3 Hours: $45
- Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies: $55
- Kawa Mangrove Cruise & Fireflies with Dinner: $67
- Kota Kinabalu Klias River Cruise with Dinner and Fireflies Tour: $72
- Traditional Sabah Cooking Class and Taste Local Flavors: $75
- North Borneo Sunset Dinner Cruise: $121
- Kota Kinabalu Night Tour with Dinner & Cultural Dance Show: $142
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kota Kinabalu $6.54Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Kota Kinabalu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kota Kinabalu are as follows:
- Bongawan River Cruise Proboscis Monkey, SkyMirror, Fireflies: $50
- Bongawan: River Safari Cruise, Private or Shared Ticket: $48
- Borneo (Klias) River Cruise & Fireflies Tour: $50
- Borneo Combo Adventure: $200
- Cowboy Town & Fireflies River Cruise: $62
- Day Trip to Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Spring Guided Tour: $70
- Discover Sailing Experience in Tanjung Aru Beach: $87
- Essential Half-Day Kota Kinabalu City Highlights and Museum Tour: $95
- From Kota Kinabalu : Kiulu White Water Rafting Tour + meal: $66
- Full Day Bongawan River Cruise with Proboscis Monkey Sightseeing: $56
- Indigenous Weaving Experience: $236
- Island Hopping Tour (2 Island) From Kota Kinabalu: $100
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate$11
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Admission to Coyaba Gardens$5.36
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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.
- Ocho Rios Shopping Tour: $20
- Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- VIP Dunn River Falls and Blue Hole Experience: $25
- Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $26
- Bamboo River Rafting and Blue Hole Waterfall Adventure Ocho Rios: $30
- Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping: $35
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
- Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour Ocho Rios Jamaica: $43
- Ocho Rios Scenic, Shopping and Lunch Tour: $45
- Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $45
- Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKota Kinabalu $7.30Ocho Rios $7.55
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 Kota Kinabalu and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Kota Kinabalu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kota Kinabalu is in Asia 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 Kota Kinabalu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kota Kinabalu 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 Ocho Rios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocho Rios than you might in Kota Kinabalu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kota Kinabalu Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios?
Kota Kinabalu has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Kota Kinabalu 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.
When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kota Kinabalu as well as Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
Kota Kinabalu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in July than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kota Kinabalu this time of the year. In the summer, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios in the summer. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
Both Ocho Rios and Kota Kinabalu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kota Kinabalu throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. It's quite rainy in Kota Kinabalu. In October, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 336 mm (13.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during autumn. Kota Kinabalu gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kota Kinabalu in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKota Kinabalu 27°C (81°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
Both Ocho Rios and Kota Kinabalu during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kota Kinabalu because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu usually gets more rain in January than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Kota Kinabalu often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun.
In January, Kota Kinabalu is generally around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Kota Kinabalu average around 26°C (79°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKota Kinabalu 26°C (79°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kota Kinabalu or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kota Kinabalu and Ocho Rios. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kota Kinabalu year-round. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kota Kinabalu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kota Kinabalu usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Kota Kinabalu gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In Kota Kinabalu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kota Kinabalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Rios during spring. Kota Kinabalu gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kota Kinabalu is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios in the spring. The daily temperature in Kota Kinabalu averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKota Kinabalu 28°C (82°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Kota Kinabalu
| Kota Kinabalu | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 291 mm (11.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 285 mm (11.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 336 mm (13.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 298 mm (11.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
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.