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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Machu Picchu?

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

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

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.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu 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.

  • Ocho Rios Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Machu Picchu Prices
    Peru Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ocho Rios $85
    Machu Picchu $122

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $122. 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 Machu Picchu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Machu Picchu $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Machu Picchu

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Machu Picchu? 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 Machu Picchu


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 Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Machu Picchu $32

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
  • Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
  • VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
  • Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
  • Ocho Rios Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $240
  • Kingston Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels: $200
  • Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos: $176
  • Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
  • Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios : $170
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Machu Picchu?

Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu 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
    Machu Picchu $35

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:

  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Machu Picchu $78
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
    $5.27
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $17

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

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

  • Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
  • Blue Hole Tour From Ocho Rios: $60
  • Blue Hole Waterfalls + Bamboo River Rafting Tour from Ocho Rios: $109
  • Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $165
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Tubing Combo Tour from Ocho Rios: $140
  • Private Dunn's River and Blue hole tour from Ocho Rios : $110
  • Private Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $60
  • Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $75
  • 1 Hour Private Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $65
  • ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
  • ATV Guided Tour To Blue Hole & Spanish Bridge In Ocho Rios: $270

Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu

For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Gardens of Mandor
    $2.87

Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu

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

  • Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
  • Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196
  • Private Tour Guide Service: $98
  • Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Machu Picchu $7.28

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: $113


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