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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Roanoke?

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

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

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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Roanoke 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 Roanoke is $164. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke


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 Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    Roanoke $23

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 Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
    Roanoke $48

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 Roanoke

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

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Roanoke $35
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
  • 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 Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Roanoke $30


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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

Roanoke 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 Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke 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 Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Roanoke in the Autumn?

Both Roanoke 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

In Roanoke, 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 Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 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 Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Roanoke. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. In January, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Roanoke in the Spring?

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

Ocho Rios is much warmer than Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Roanoke. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)