Which place is cheaper, Montanita or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ocho Rios or Montanita?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Montanita, 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 Montanita?
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.
Montanita
Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Montanita $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Montanita $41
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Montanita
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Montanita? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Montanita $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $228
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
- Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $125
- MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Hotels to Ocho Rios: $115
- Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
- Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Montanita?
Prices for flights to both Montanita 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 dayOcho Rios $17Montanita $28
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
- Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $104
- 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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Montanita $31
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$5.47
-
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
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- 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, 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
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
- Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Montanita $7.86
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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 Montanita 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 Montanita would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montanita 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 Montanita Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ocho Rios or Montanita?
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 Montanita in the Summer?
Both Montanita and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.
Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Montanita 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Montanita in the Autumn?
Both Montanita and Ocho Rios during the autumn 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 Montanita year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Montanita 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Montanita in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Montanita. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Montanita. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Montanita 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Montanita in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Montanita. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year.
Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 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 spring, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Montanita 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Montanita and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Montanita | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.