Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and Ocho Rios can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios?
Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.
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 Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Ocho Rios $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, 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 Mar del Plata and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Ocho Rios $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Ocho Rios $104
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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.
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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Ocho Rios $7.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Luxury Transfer from Sandals Dunns River : $300
- Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
- Private Kingston Airport Transfers : $256
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $228
- Airport Transfer To Ochi Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $200
- 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
- Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Private Transfer from Sangster International Airport to Ochi Rios: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Mar del 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
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Food Meals for one dayMar del Plata $3.81Ocho Rios $17
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
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mar del Plata $2.27Ocho Rios $15
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$5.47
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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.
- Authentic Jamaican Bamboo Rafting Tour from Runaway Bay: $194
- Blue hole waterfalls + Bamboo river rafting tour from Ocho rios: $109
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
- Combo Blue Hole and Horseback Riding Tour From Ocho Rios : $160
- Dunn's River Falls & Blue Hole Combo Tour from Ocho Rios: $115
- 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, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Runaway Bay: $206
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $208
- Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMar del Plata $1.78Ocho Rios $7.71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 Mar del Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios?
Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
Both Ocho Rios and Mar del 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 January, Mar del Plata is generally cooler than Ocho Riosin July. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 20°C (69°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
Both Ocho Rios and Mar del Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Ocho Rios in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Ocho Riosin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Mar del Plata is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mar del Plata in July average around 9°C (47°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Ocho Rios. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
In October, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Ocho Riosin April. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 13°C (56°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin April. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than Ocho Riosin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 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.