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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Pucon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Pucon, 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 Pucon?

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.

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Pucon 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 Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Pucon $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Pucon

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Pucon? 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 Pucon


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 $7.60
    Pucon $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
  • Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Transfer: $80
  • 11. Ocho Rios Hotels&Resorts Airport Private Fun-Transfer to/from Sangster Intl : $60
  • AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
  • Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
  • Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay Hotels (MBJ): $56
  • Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110
  • Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer : $61
  • Convenient Airport Transfer To Riu Hotel Ocho Rios : $80
  • Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
  • From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Pucon?

Prices for flights to both Pucon 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
    Pucon $38

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 $15
    Pucon $37
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.

  • Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
  • Private Blue Hole and Shopping Tour from Ocho Rios: $30
  • Private Blue hole Tour from Ocho Rios : $40
  • Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
  • Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
  • Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
  • Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
  • Private Konoko Falls and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $45
  • Half-Day Blue Hole and Secret Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $46
  • Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
  • Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50

Tours and Activities in Pucon

Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Pucon $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Pucon, we can see that Pucon 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 Pucon 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 Pucon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pucon 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 Pucon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Pucon?

Pucon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Pucon, 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 Pucon?

Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Pucon. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pucon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Puconin January. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Pucon 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Pucon in the Autumn?

Both Pucon and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

In October, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Puconin April. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Puconin April. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Pucon in the Winter?

Both Pucon and Ocho Rios during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Ocho Rios is much warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Pucon 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Pucon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

In the spring, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Puconin October. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Pucon 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Pucon and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Pucon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)