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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Boulder?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Boulder, 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 Boulder?

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.

Boulder

Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.

Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.

Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boulder or Ocho Rios?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $191. 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 Boulder in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Boulder $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Boulder $204
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Boulder

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Boulder? 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 Ocho Rios


Hotels in Boulder


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 and Boulder Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    Boulder $51

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 Boulder?

Prices for flights to both Boulder 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ocho Rios $17
    Boulder $54

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

Typical Food Prices in Boulder

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


  • 2 Coffees
    $8.75
  • Nice Dinner for Two
    $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Boulder $33
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
  • 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 Boulder

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.

  • E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
  • "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
  • 2 Hours Drone Experience with Pro Pilot and Photographer: $180
  • Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Astronomy Tour: $45
  • Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
  • Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
  • Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour: $250
  • Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
  • Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Boulder, CO: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Boulder $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Boulder, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Boulder 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 Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder than you might in Ocho Rios.

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 Boulder Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Boulder?

Boulder has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Boulder, 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.