Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Big Sur, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ocho Rios or Big Sur?
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.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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 Ocho Rios and Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Big Sur? 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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Big Sur -
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
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
- 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 Jamaica Airport Transfers: $130
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels in Jamaica: $130
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $125
- MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios, Low Cost.: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur and Ocho Rios 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 dayOcho Rios $17Big Sur -
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
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Big Sur -
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
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- 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
- Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
- Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included): $220
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
- Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Big Sur
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.
- Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $13
- Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Big Sur -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Big Sur, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur is in North America, 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocho Rios Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ocho Rios or Big Sur?
Big Sur 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 Ocho Rios or Big Sur in the Summer?
Both Big Sur and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Ocho Rios is much warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Big Sur in the Autumn?
Both Big Sur and Ocho Rios during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Big Sur this time of year.
In the autumn, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Big Sur in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Big Sur for the cuisine.
In January, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Big Sur. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Big Sur in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Big Sur. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Big Sur in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Ocho Rios is much warmer than Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
Ocho Rios usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Big Sur. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
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.