Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Nags Head?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?
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.
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Nags Head $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $149. 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 Nags Head in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Nags Head $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Nags Head
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Nags Head? 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 Nags Head Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Nags Head $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Luxury Transfer from Sandals Dunns River : $300
- Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160
- Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Jamaica Airport Transfers: $130
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels in Jamaica: $130
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $125
- MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios, Low Cost.: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Nags Head?
Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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 $17Nags Head $41
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Nags Head $14
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
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- Blue hole waterfalls + Bamboo river rafting tour from Ocho rios: $109
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
- Combo Blue Hole and Horseback Riding Tour From Ocho Rios : $160
- Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
- Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included): $220
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
- Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
- OBX Ghost Tours: $25
- Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Nags Head $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Nags Head, we can see that Nags Head 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 Nags Head is in North 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 Nags Head would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Nags Head?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?
Nags Head has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Nags Head in the Summer?
Both Nags Head 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. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Nags Head averages at about 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Nags Head. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives less sunshine than Nags Head during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Nags Head 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Nags Head in the Autumn?
Both Nags Head 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.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 205 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Nags Head 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Nags Head in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Nags Head. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Furthermore, the cuisine are the main draw to Nags Head this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nags Head in the winter. Ocho Rios is much warmer than Nags Head in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Nags Head fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Nags Head during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Nags Head 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Nags Head in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Nags Head. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Nags Head averages at about 59°F (15°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the spring, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 262 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Nags Head. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Nags Head 59°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Nags Head and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Nags Head | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
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.