A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ocho Rios vs. Oaxaca de Juarez for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Oaxaca de Juarez?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Oaxaca de Juarez, 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 Oaxaca de Juarez?

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.

Oaxaca de Juarez

Officially known as Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca is the capital and largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It's a beautiful colonial city in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city has beautiful architecture and a variety of festivals as well as a tree lined square called El Zocalo. Oaxaca's economy is heavily dependent on tourism and it is a wonderful place to see Mexican art and handicrafts. There are many artists and artisans in Oaxaca and the contemporary art scene is on the rise. The artists combine the area's rich indigenous culture and tradition with a modern twist. While you're in the area you should definitely make a point of experiencing the area's wonderful museums, interesting architecture, charming hotels and unique twist on Mexican cuisine.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, Oaxaca de Juarez or Ocho Rios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Oaxaca de Juarez is $46. 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 Oaxaca de Juarez in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Oaxaca de Juarez $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Oaxaca de Juarez $40
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Oaxaca de Juarez

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Oaxaca de Juarez? 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 Oaxaca de Juarez


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 Oaxaca de Juarez Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13

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
  • 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 Jamaica Airport Transfers: $130
  • Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
  • 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
  • Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also for Oaxaca de Juarez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Oaxaca: Private Transfer to Huatulco: $408
  • From Oaxaca: Transfer to Puerto Escondido: $402
  • Oaxaca: Santiago Apoala Waterfall Day Trip with Transfers: $344
  • 4 Day Oaxaca Excursion with Transfer included: $300
  • Private transfer from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido - new highway: $300
  • Xoxocotlan Airport: Private Transfer to Oaxaca City: $88
  • Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca de Juárez-RoundTrip Transfer: $74
  • Oaxaca Xoxocotlan Airport (OAX) to Oaxaca hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
  • Oaxaca Airport OAX to Oaxaca Hotels Round Trip Private Transfer: $72
  • Round private transfer Airport to hotel in Oaxaca: $59
  • Oaxaca International Airport - Private Transfer From/ to Oaxaca City: $56
  • Oaxaca: Private transfer from Oaxaca airport to hotel: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Prices for flights to both Oaxaca de Juarez 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 $17
    Oaxaca de Juarez $14

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 Oaxaca de Juarez

For Oaxaca de Juarez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Oaxaca: Night Street Food Tour with Transfers and Tastings: $52
  • Oaxaca: Vegetarian Cooking Class: $70
  • Oaxacan Vegetarian Cooking Class: $71
  • Flavors of Oaxaca: Cooking Class with No Set Menu and Local Market Tour: $77
  • AUTHENTIC OAXACA FOOD TOUR, eat like a local.: $89
  • Food tour to the Tlacolula Market: $90
  • Traditional Oaxaqueña Cooking with Grandma's Recipes: $90
  • Cooking classes from the Isthmus with a Tehuana: $92
  • Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class (includes transportation): $94
  • Nixtamal Cooking Class & Tour To The San Agustin Center of Arts: $99
  • Oaxaca: Day of the Dead Evening Walking Tour with Dinner: $108
  • The Real Traditional Oaxaca Cooking class: $114

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Oaxaca de Juarez $13
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
  • 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 Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
  • 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
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Runaway Bay: $206
  • Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207

Tours and Activities in Oaxaca de Juarez

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Oaxaca de Juarez.

  • Full Day Waterfall Adventure in Sierra Madre Mountains of Oaxaca: $80
  • 5 Hours Guided Day of The Dead Evening Walking Tour in Oaxaca: $94
  • Amazing Monte Alban and City tour Private Tour: $200
  • Amazing experience in the mountain of San Jose del Pacifico: $80
  • Ancestral Carnival Tour 2025: $199
  • Bicycle Tour through Oaxaca learning about its Urban Art and History: $19
  • Bike tour to the Tule Tree and the Gastronomic Market: $20
  • Cacao, Chocolate Experience in Oaxaca for Small Groups: $69
  • Carnival, Crafts and Ancestral Mezcal Experience: $99
  • Celebrating Day of the Dead in Xoxocotlan Tour: $177
  • Combo two-day tours, Hierve el Agua Full day and Monte Alban full day: $105
  • Crafts & Cuisine All Included Guided Day Tour from Oaxaca: $165

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Oaxaca de Juarez $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Oaxaca de Juarez

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Oaxaca de Juarez:

  • Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, Mitla and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $45
  • Only Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour: $50
  • From Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery: $52
  • Tour to Hierve el Agua and Mezcal Distillery (Small groups): $66
  • Artisanal Mezcal distillery in an authentic Zapotec village : $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Oaxaca de Juarez, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Oaxaca de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oaxaca de Juarez 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 Oaxaca de Juarez.

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 Oaxaca de Juarez Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Oaxaca de Juarez?

Oaxaca de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Oaxaca de Juarez, 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.