Which place is cheaper, Leon or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Leon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Leon, 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 Leon?
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.
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Leon $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Leon is $59. 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 Leon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Leon $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Leon $32
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Leon
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Leon? 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 $7.60Leon $1.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
- Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $99
- Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Transfer: $80
- 11. Ocho Rios Hotels&Resorts Airport Private Fun-Transfer to/from Sangster Intl : $60
- AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
- Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer : $61
- Convenient Airport Transfer To Riu Hotel Ocho Rios : $80
- Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Leon?
Prices for flights to both Leon 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 $17Leon $12
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Leon $5.81
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.
- Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
- Private Blue Hole and Shopping Tour from Ocho Rios: $30
- Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
- Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
- Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
- Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
- Private Konoko Falls and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $45
- Half-Day Blue Hole and Secret Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $46
- Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50
- Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Konoko Falls And Garden and Shopping: $50
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $226
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Leon $3.53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Leon, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Ocho Rios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocho Rios than you might in Leon.
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 Leon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Leon?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Leon, 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 Leon?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Leon in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Leon. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Leon. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Leon. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leon receives 144 mm (5.7 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 summer, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Leon. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 175 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Leon averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Leon in the Autumn?
Both Leon and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Leon. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Leon receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Leon during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Leon. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Leon fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Leon 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Leon in the Winter?
Both Leon and Ocho Rios during the winter 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 Leon year-round.
Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in January than Leon. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Leon receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Leon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leon. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leon receives 244 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Leon in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Leon fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Leon 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Leon in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Leon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Leon. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Leon receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon 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 Leon during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Leon receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Leon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Leon averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Leon 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Leon and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Leon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.