Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Ocho Rios. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Ocho Rios?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Ocho Rios $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $85. 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 Mombasa and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Ocho Rios $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Ocho Rios $7.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
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
- Sandals Ocho Rios Resort Airport Transfer: $67
- Runaway Bay Hotels Transfers between Montego Bay Airport: $60
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160
- Runaway Bay Airport Transfer: $48
- 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
- Private Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Runaway Bay Hotels: $54
- Private Transfers To/From Ocho Rios & OCJ Airport Across Jamaica: $143
- Private Transfer to horseback,Bluehole,River rafting in OchoRios.: $70
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Ocho Rios $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
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 Ocho Rios: $128
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
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$5.27
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Tour of Prospect Plantation$17
Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- Blue Hole Tour From Ocho Rios: $60
- Blue Hole Waterfalls + Bamboo River Rafting Tour from Ocho Rios: $109
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $165
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Tubing Combo Tour from Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Dunn's River and Blue hole tour from Ocho Rios : $110
- Private Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $60
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $75
- 1 Hour Private Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $65
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV Guided Tour To Blue Hole & Spanish Bridge In Ocho Rios: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Ocho Rios $7.43
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: $113
When comparing the travel costs between Mombasa and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios 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 Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Ocho Rios?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Ocho Rios?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mombasa or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Ocho Rios. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Ocho Rios. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 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 Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
Both Ocho Rios and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Ocho Rios during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
Both Ocho Rios and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa 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 Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.