Which place is cheaper, Columbus 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 Columbus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Columbus, 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 Columbus?
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.
Columbus
The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesColumbus Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $87Columbus $193
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $87, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $193. 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 Columbus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $51Columbus $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $102Columbus $144
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Columbus
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Columbus? 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 and Columbus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.43Columbus $50
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
- Transfer from Ocho Rios Port to Montego Bay Sangster Airport(MBJ): $79
- Runaway Bay Hotels Transfers between Montego Bay Airport: $60
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Airport Transfer: $53
- 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
- Riu Ocho Rios Jamaica Private Airport Transfer: $80
- 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 Yaaman Adventure Park from Ocho Rios: $65
- Private Transfer to White River Tubing Ocho Rios: $45
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus
Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $207
- Columbus Ohio (CMH) Airport Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: $180
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Columbus?
Prices for flights to both Columbus 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 $28Columbus $85
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 Columbus
For Columbus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Short North Walking Food Tour: $105
- German Village Walking Food Tour in Columbus: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Columbus $46
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$5.35
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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.
- 1 Hour Private Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $65
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV and Dunns River Falls Adventure: $205
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $411
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $243
- ATV, Dunn’s River Falls & Blue Hole Guided Tour In Jamaica: $270
- ATV, Horseback Riding and Bluehole Adventure Tour: $210
- All In One Full Day Tour in Saint Ann Garden Parish Jamaica: $147
- Appleton Rum Tour and YS Falls: $280
- Bali Style High Ropes Swing and Dunn's River Fall Adventure: $230
- Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour In Ocho Rios: $95
- Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included): $195
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure Park Climbing Experience: $69
- Alt Eats Tour Discover International Flavors in Columbus: $105
- Canopy Zip Line Tours in Columbus Ohio: $96
- Columbus Ohio Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $49
- Discover Culinary Delights Columbus Food Hall Tour: $105
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Columbus with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Admission Ticket: $23
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in German Village, Ohio: $9.99
- Shared Yoga and Coffee Experience On The Trolley Pub: $39
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus by Crazy Dash: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.54Columbus $20
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: $90
Sample the Local Flavors in Columbus
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Columbus:
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Columbus Ohio: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Columbus, we can see that Columbus 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 Columbus 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 Columbus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbus 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 Columbus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Columbus?
Columbus has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Columbus, 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 Ocho Rios or Columbus?
Columbus 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 Columbus in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Columbus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Also, most visitors come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Columbus averages at about 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbus this time of the year. In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Columbus 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Columbus in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Columbus. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbus because of the shopping scene.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Columbus 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Columbus in the Winter?
Both Columbus and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.
It's quite cold in Columbus in the winter. Ocho Rios is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Columbus fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Columbus 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Columbus in the Spring?
Both Columbus and Ocho Rios during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Columbus averages at about 54°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the spring, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Columbus. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Columbus 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Columbus and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Columbus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 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.