Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Ocho Rios?
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 Ocho Rios or Cabo San Lucas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Cabo San Lucas, 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 Cabo San Lucas?
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.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesCabo San Lucas Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $86Cabo San Lucas $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $86, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $157. 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 Cabo San Lucas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $51Cabo San Lucas $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $102Cabo San Lucas $114
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Cabo San Lucas
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Cabo San Lucas? 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 $7.41Cabo San Lucas $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
- Airport Transfer Ocho Rios hotels: $80
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Service from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios: $150
- Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
- Airport Transfer To Riu Hotel Ocho Rios: $100
- Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay Private Airport transfer: $66
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer: $61
- Blue Hole Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting Tour Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $109
- Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $225
- Dunn's River Falls And Shopping Tour From Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $65
- Dunn’s River Falls: River Tubing with Lunch and Transfers: $166
- Jewel Paradise Cove Resort Airport Transfer: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:
- Airport Transfers to Cabo San Lucas Pacifico Hotels RT: $284
- Private Airport Transfers in Cielito Lindo: $280
- Cabo San Lucas Port to San Jose Del Cabo hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $273
- Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Round Trip Airport: $262
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Cabo San Lucas Area: $261
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Los Cabos 1-10px: $255
- Private Airport Transfer to Los Cabos Hotels: $250
- Private Airport Transfers in Los Cabos: $247
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Tourist Corridor Area: $236
- Private Round Trip Transfer from SJD Airport to San Jose del Cabo: $230
- Private Escalade Airport Transfer in Los Cabos: $220
- Los Cabos Luxury Private Tesla Transfer from Airport to Puerto Los Cabos Area: $220
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Cabo San Lucas?
Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas 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 $28Cabo San Lucas $78
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:
- Exclusive Sunset Dinner At Reggae Hill: $99
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Runaway Bay: $138
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.
- Mexican Cooking Class and Garden Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $75
- San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $82
- Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $89
- Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
- Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
- Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $95
- Cabo San Lucas Sunset Dinner Catamaran Cruise to the Arch: $99
- Cabo San Lucas Catamaran Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Open Bar: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise: Fajitas, Lands End and Party: $99
- Pirate Ship Sunset Dinner and Show in Los Cabos: $99
- Yo Ho Pirate Sunset Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $99
- Cabo Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar on Cabo Wave: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Cabo San Lucas $38
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$5.34
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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.
- Ocho Rios Shopping Tour: $20
- Bamboo River Rafting and Blue Hole Waterfall Adventure Ocho Rios: $30
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour: $33
- Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping: $35
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
- Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
- Ocho Rios Scenic, Shopping and Lunch Tour: $45
- Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
- Private Sightseeing Tour in and Around Ocho Rios: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
- Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $50
- Private Magical Firewater Pond and Secluded Bamboo Beach Tour: $50
Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas
Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Exclusive Cabo San Lucas Trimaran Experience with Snorkeling": $180
- 2 Hour Sunset Tour on Catamaran in Cabo San Lucas: $85
- 2 Hours Horseback Riding Adventure in Cabo: $130
- 2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up!: $55
- 3 Tours Combo Sky Bike, UTV or ATV, Horseback or Camel Ride: $209
- 4-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas and Corridor: $109
- A Full-Day Baja Adventure: La Paz, Balandra Beach & Todos Santos: $130
- ATV Beach and Dunes Adventure in Los Cabos with Tequila Tasting: $70
- ATV Desert and Beach Adventure in Los Cabos with Tequila Tasting: $49
- ATV Pacific Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $89
- ATV Ride and Camel Experience A Double Adventure: $17
- ATV Tour to Explore the Second Arch of Los Cabos: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.52Cabo San Lucas $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:
- Wine Tasting Sunset Cruise Tour in San Jose del Cabo: $280
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Cabo San Lucas, 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.
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.