Which place is cheaper, Panama City 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 Panama City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Panama City, 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 Panama City?
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.
Panama City
Panama City is the cosmopolitan capital city of the country of Panama. With a population of almost 900,000 and almost 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, it's a very diverse city with expat residents from all over the world. You don't have to search far to find someone who speaks English, and many Panamanians are quite helpful and friendly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Panama, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Panama City.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesPanama City Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $87Panama City $101
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $87, while the average daily cost in Panama City is $101. 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 Panama City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Panama City $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Panama City $70
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Panama City
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Panama City? 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 Panama City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.46Panama City $11
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
- VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
- Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $225
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels: $215
- Private Transfer from Ocho Ríos to Jamaica (MBJ) Airport: $173
- Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios: $170
- Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
- Inter City Transfers- from Runaway Bay- private: $156
- Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $150
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $147
- Private Transfers To/From Ocho Rios & OCJ Airport Across Jamaica: $143
- Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Panama City
Also for Panama City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Panama 2 days / 1 night : hotel, transfers and city tour: $278
- Transfer to Panama City, Hotel and City tour - 1 night: $266
- Private Transfer from PTY to Playa Blanca resorts: $224
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Playa Blanca resorts: $224
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Decameron - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $211
- Panama Airport (PTY) to Coronado/Gorgona - Round-Trip Transfer: $211
- Private Transfer from Panama City Airport to Beach Resorts: $175
- San Blas Day Trip (Transfers & Lunch included): $175
- Transfer from Tocumen Airport to Colon Cruise Port: $160
- Miraflores Visitor Center Ticket & Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Panama Airport (PTY) to Colón Resorts: $148
- Private Transfer from Panama Tocumen Airport (PTY) to Colón resorts: $148
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Panama City?
Prices for flights to both Panama City 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 $28Panama City $36
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:
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Typical Food Prices in Panama City
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Panama City:
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Sandwich$8.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Panama City
For Panama City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Panama Evening Food Tour: $60
- Panamanian Dinner and Folkloric Show Ticket with Pickup: $65
- Panama City FOOD Tour: $65
- 3.5 -hour Afropanamanian Cooking Experience in Panama: $70
- E-Tickets Emotions Dinner Live Show Admission: $75
- Afro-Panamanian Cooking Class with Meal: $75
- Street Food Tour with 24 Tastings: $75
- Street Food Tour Panama (25+ tastings) By Paradox Experience: $90
- 4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience: $95
- 4h Cooking Class in 10 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $95
- Panama: 10-Recipe Boozy Panamanian Cooking Class + Dinner: $95
- Folkloric Dance & Typical Dinner at Sabroso Panamá: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Panama City $66
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.
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $411
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $219
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour With Lunch: $120
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $110
- ATV, Dunn’s River Falls & Blue Hole Guided Tour In Jamaica: $270
- ATV, Horseback Riding and Bluehole Adventure Tour: $189
- BOGO Adventure: ATV and/or Horseback Ride and Swim in Ocho Rios: $139
- Bali Style High Ropes Swing and Dunn's River Fall Adventure: $230
- Bamboo Rafting & Horseback Ride n Swim Guided Tour In Ocho Rios: $95
- Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included): $195
- Bamboo Rafting and ATV Jungle Adventure in Jamaica: $200
Tours and Activities in Panama City
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Panama City.
- “Bike Tour Casco Viejo and Panama City Discover the Essence: $40
- "Bridge of the Americas Stand-Up Paddle Private 2 hours Tour ": $100
- 1- or 2-Night Experience in San Blas Islands: $260
- 1st Mysteries and FreeMasons Tour: $38
- 2 Days Island Hopping Adventure San Blas Islands - Private Cabin: $265
- 2 Hours Private Luxury Tour in a Convertible Car in Panama City: $255
- 2 Nights in San Blas - Shared Cabin + Meals + Boat Tour: $179
- 3 Hour Airport Tour from Tocumen: $125
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Casco Antiguo Panama City: $45
- 4-Hour Guided Tour of Panama Canal & Old Town & More: $150
- 4-hour tour in Panama: $105
- 5 Hours Private Panama City Tour: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.57Panama City $18
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Panama City, we can see that Panama City 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 Panama City is in Central 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 Panama City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Panama City 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 Panama City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Panama City?
Panama City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Panama City, 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.