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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Cozumel?

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

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

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.

Cozumel

Cozumel is a Caribbean island just off the Yucatan Peninsula. It'as a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. With crystal clear waters and vibrant colored coral, Cozumel is one of the most popular dive destinations in the area. The island's economy is centered around tourism, and as such, you'll find plenty of amenities for visitors. The prices are comparable to other coastal towns in the area and there is no shortage of activities or attractions nearby.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cozumel 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $87, while the average daily cost in Cozumel is $124. 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 Cozumel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Cozumel $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Cozumel $128
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Cozumel

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Cozumel? 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 Cozumel


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 Cozumel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.44
    Cozumel $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Luxury Transfer to Sandals Dunn’s River from MBJ Airport: $300
  • Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer: $244
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $228
  • Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $225
  • Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels: $215
  • Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
  • Private Airport Transfers Montego Bay (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Rios: $180
  • Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer: $180
  • Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios: $170
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos: $167
  • Private Transfer from Ocho Ríos to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $167
  • Dunn’s River Falls: River Tubing with Lunch and Transfers: $166

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cozumel

Also for Cozumel, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Round Trip Transfer Point A to Point B: $190
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Cozumel Island Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $146
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $146
  • KUZÁ Beach Escape with Cancun & Riviera Maya Transfer: $141
  • Private Transfer from Cozumel Airport: $110
  • Cozumel Airport Private Round-Trip Transfer: $106
  • Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
  • Jade Cavern ATV Tour in Cozumel with Beach Break with transfer: $86
  • Cozumel Cruise Port to Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
  • Mexico Cozumel Airport (CZM) to Cozumel Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $73
  • Wild Jade Cavern ATV Tour With Transfer: $70
  • Cozumel Jungle ATV Tour Adventure and Caverns with transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Cozumel?

Prices for flights to both Cozumel 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 $28
    Cozumel $38

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 Cozumel

For Cozumel, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel: $61
  • Private Mexican Trompitos Cooking Class in Cozumel: $82
  • Kuza Beach & Flavors Experience-Mexican cooking Class & Beach Day: $89
  • Cozumel Food Tour: $90
  • Cozumel Food Tour: Street Tacos and Local Market: $109
  • Romantic Gourmet Dinner Experience at Pirate Ship in Cozumel: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Cozumel $41
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
    $5.36
  • 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.

  • 2.5-Hours Nine Miles & Bob Marley's Mausoleum Private Tour: $155
  • ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
  • ATV and Blue Hole Adventure: $190
  • ATV and Dunns River Falls Adventure: $205
  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $411
  • ATV, Horseback Riding and Bluehole Adventure Tour: $210
  • Appleton Rum Tour and YS Falls: $280
  • Aqua Fun Tours Dunns Falls, River Tubing and Horse Back: $170
  • 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
  • Bamboo River Rafting and Blue Hole Waterfall Adventure Ocho Rios: $30

Tours and Activities in Cozumel

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

  • 10 Experiences Original: $221
  • 2 Hours ATV Jungle, Caverns and Mayan Ruins Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán: $74
  • 4 Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel: $65
  • 4-Hour Private Tour in Cozumel with Pickup: $95
  • A Pirate's Adventure in Cozumel with Captain Draco: $100
  • ATV Adventure of Jade Cave El Cedral with Tequila Tasting: $90
  • ATV Adventure to Mayan Jade Cavern plus Snorkeling and Lunch: $79
  • ATV Jungle Adventure to Hidden Mayan Ruins and Caves: $89
  • ATV Seashore + Cenote Combo: Mezcalitos & Mayan Cenote Experience: $80
  • ATV Tour El Viejo y Yo Beach Pass with Lunch, Snorkel and Kayaks: $110
  • ATV Tour and Cenote Experience in Cozumel: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.55
    Cozumel $10

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 Cozumel

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cozumel:

  • Chocolate Seaside Workshop & Wine Tasting: $51
  • Downtown Cozumel & Brewery: $79
  • Cozumel's First Distillery: Exclusive Craft Rum & Gin Tasting: $99
  • Cozumel 5-Hour Private Bar Crawl Tour: $110


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Cozumel, we can see that Cozumel 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 Cozumel 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 Cozumel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cozumel 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 Cozumel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Cozumel?

Cozumel has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Cozumel, 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.