Which place is cheaper, Medellin 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 Medellin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Medellin, 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 Medellin?
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.
Medellin
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesMedellin Prices
Colombia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $87Medellin $31
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $87, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $31. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Medellin $4.91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Medellin $9.82
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Medellin
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Medellin? 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 Medellin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.46Medellin $4.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ***PRIVATE Airport Transfer to HOTELS in around RUNAWAY BAY***: $130
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Ocho Rios: $90
- Airport Transfer - From MBJ to Ocho Rios Hotels: $80
- Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
- Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay Hotels (MBJ): $56
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer: $61
- Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $225
- Dunn's River Falls And Shopping Tour From Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $65
- Inter City Transfers- from Runaway Bay- private: $156
- Jamaica Private Hotel and Airport Transfer: $4.00
- Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $147
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
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Taxi$1.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
- Medellin Tour Privado x3 horas con Transfers: $182
- Arrival Transfer Medellin Airport MDE to Medellin City by Minivan: $167
- Private Shooting Experience with Transfers: $145
- Medellin Coffee Tour with transfer: $123
- Airport Transfers: $120
- PRIVATE Transfer Jose Maria Cordova Airport - Up to 13 People: $119
- Private Transfer Jose Marie Cordova Airport to Medellin Bello: $100
- Medellín: Santa Elena Coffee Farm Tour w/Lunch & Transfer: $95
- Medellín: Guatapé and Medellín City Door-to-Door Transfer: $93
- Private Tejo Sport Experience with Transfer & Beer: $92
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $78
- Medellín to or from Guatapé Private Transfer: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Medellin?
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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 $28Medellin $17
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
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Typical Food Prices in Medellin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
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Lunch$2.17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
- Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
- Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
- A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
- Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
- Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13 (Small Groups): $39
- Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
- Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $45
- Street Food Tour in Medellín with Tastings: $55
- Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
- Cooking Class Preparing Colombian Empanadas: $56
- Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
- Gastronomy and Street Food Tour in Sabaneta Colombia Experience: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Medellin $13
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$5.37
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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.
- Ocho Rios Shopping Tour: $20
- Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping: $35
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour: $35
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
- Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour Ocho Rios Jamaica: $45
- Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
- Ocho Rios Scenic, Shopping and Lunch Tour: $45
- Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $45
- Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
- Ocho Rios City Tour, Sightseeing and Shopping: $50
- Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $50
Tours and Activities in Medellin
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Exclusive Mountain Escape : ATV Tour from Medellin with lunch: $130
- 2 Day Private Jardin Tour with Activities from Medellin: $260
- 2 Hour Medellin Off Road ATV Experiences: $160
- 2-Hours Street Art Walking Tour in Medellin Comuna 13: $24
- 3 Towns Colonial Private Tour Leaving from Medellin: $130
- 4 hours Private Pablo Escobar Dark days Tour of Medellin: $60
- 4-Hour Medellin, Envigado & Sabaneta Three County Tour: $79
- 90 Minute Walking Tour of Guatapé: $16
- A Taste of Colombia Medellin Market Tour and Lunch: $49
- ATV Adventure in Medellin's Mountains: $96
- ATV Adventure: Mountains and Forest Tour: $132
- ATV Tours from Medellin: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.57Medellin $7.46
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 Medellin
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
- Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
- Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
- Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
- Medellin Private Bar Crawl: $145
- NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
- Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Medellin, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
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 Medellin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Medellin?
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Medellin, 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.
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.