Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Jaco, 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 Jaco?
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.
Jaco
Jaco is a beach destination on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This resort city is located in the county of Garabito in the Puntarenas province. It has a population of about 10,000 residents and a 2.5 mile long beach that is an excellent surfing destination.
Because Jaco is located on the coast, it's weather is influenced by the water. The climate is humid with a relative humidity of about 80%, but climbing to 90% in the month of June. The temperature is usually between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at night. There are distinct wet and dry seasons with August through early December being the rainy season and late December through early April being the dry season. Rain is irregular during the rest of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $104. 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 Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Jaco? 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 Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $50
- Riu Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer: $80
- Riu Ocho Rios Jamaica Private Airport Transfer: $60
- Relaxing Montego Bay To Ducanon and Juwel Runaway Bay Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer to Yaaman Adventure Park from Ocho Rios: $60
- Private Transfer to White River Tubing Ocho Rios: $40
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
- Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40
- Private Transfer from Ocho Rios to Sangster Airport MBJ: $60
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco 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 $17Jaco $21
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 Jaco
For Jaco, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hermosa BeachLlunch$3.94
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$18
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Taco Bar Dinner$9.01
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.31
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Ice Cream$5.92
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.34
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Fruit Plate$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Jaco $60
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
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
- Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
- ATV AdVENTURE FROM OCHO RIOS : $190
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $275
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Runaway Bay: $206
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaco
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Jaco's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Dance Class$9.82
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.82
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Tortuga Island Tour$98
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Massage$44
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle & River ATV Adventure, 2 hours / Jacó: $95
- Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $71
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $75
- 2 Hour Private Ranch Experience in Quebrada Amarilla: $120
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- 2 hour ATV Tour & Waterfalls + Chocolate Experience : $110
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach : $99
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $110
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $95
- 4×4 Waterfalls and Jungle Experience: $80
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Jaco $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jaco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Jaco:
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Wine$15
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Night at the Bar$27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Jaco, we can see that Jaco 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 Jaco is in Central 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 Jaco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jaco 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 Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Jaco?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Jaco, 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 Jaco?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Jaco in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Jaco in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Jaco. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Jaco. Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in October than Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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 Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Jaco in the Winter?
Both Jaco 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. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
Ocho Rios usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the spring, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios is cooler than Jaco in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.