A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Plata vs. Ocho Rios for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit La Plata 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 La Plata and Ocho Rios can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: La Plata or Ocho Rios?

La Plata

Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.


Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or La Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $77. 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 La Plata and Ocho Rios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    La Plata $3.47
    Ocho Rios $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    La Plata $6.94
    Ocho Rios $104
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Ocho Rios

Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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.

Hotels in La Plata


Hotels in Ocho Rios


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: La Plata Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    La Plata $2.47
    Ocho Rios $7.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $228
  • From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
  • Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160
  • Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $140
  • Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $125
  • MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
  • Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Hotels to Ocho Rios: $115
  • Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
  • Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into La Plata or Ocho Rios?

Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and La Plata 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
    La Plata $3.37
    Ocho Rios $17
Typical Food Prices in La Plata

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:


  • Ice Cream
    $0.01

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:

  • From Flavors of Jamaica Guided Food Tour: $89
  • Taste of Jamaica Farm & Food Tour: $98
  • Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $104
  • Ocho Ros: Hillside Cooking Class, Jamaican Style: $130
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour: $140
  • The Jamaica School of Cooking and Ocho Rios Highlights Tour: $141
  • Ocho Rios Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $218

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    La Plata $2.16
    Ocho Rios $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata

For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee
    $0.01

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
    $5.47
  • 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.

  • Authentic Jamaican Bamboo Rafting Tour from Runaway Bay: $194
  • Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
  • Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
  • Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
  • Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
  • ATV AdVENTURE FROM OCHO RIOS : $190
  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $275
  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
  • All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
  • Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
  • Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    La Plata $1.20
    Ocho Rios $7.71


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Plata and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata is in South America 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 La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, La Plata or Ocho Rios?

La Plata has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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 La Plata or Ocho Rios?

La Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit La Plata or Ocho Rios in the Summer?

Both Ocho Rios and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, La Plata is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Plata in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, La Plata usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    La Plata 25°C (77°F) 
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?

Both Ocho Rios and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

In April, La Plata is generally much colder than Ocho Riosin October. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (65°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin October. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than Ocho Riosin October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    La Plata 18°C (65°F) 
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Ocho Rios in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

La Plata is much colder than Ocho Rios in the winter. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, La Plata usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    La Plata 12°C (53°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit La Plata or Ocho Rios in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Ocho Rios. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

In the spring, La Plata is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Plata in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (80°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin April. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.

La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets more rain in October than Ocho Riosin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    La Plata 18°C (64°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and La Plata

La Plata Ocho Rios
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 101 mm (4 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 18°C (65°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 12°C (53°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 21°C (69°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)