Which place is cheaper, Roatan or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ocho Rios or Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Roatan, 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Roatan $38
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $38. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Roatan $11
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Roatan $22
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Roatan? 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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Roatan $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay 2-Hour Shopping Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
- Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers - Round Trip: $25
- AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
- Private Airport transfer from Montego Bay To Ocho Rios .: $30
- Private Airport Transfer from MBJ to Ocho Rios: $30
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runnaway Bay Hotels(Private) : $32
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Ocho Rios : $33
- Private Airport Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios : $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
-
Water Taxi$4.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Roatan Island Buggy Adventure plus Transfer: $217
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Monkey & Sloth Park, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
- Roatan Buggy Adventure, Snorkeling, Beach Pass plus Private Transfer: $207
- North Side Blue Channel & Starfish Snorkeling, 20min JetSki, Transfer Included: $165
- Parasailing, Beach Break, Chocolate Factory with Transfer: $155
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $141
- Horseback Riding, Beach with Palapa and Transfer: $130
- East Sightseeing, Mangrove Tunnel Snorkel, Hole in the Wall, with Transfer: $130
- Parasailing adventure with round trip transfers included: $130
- Scuba Dive in the West End of Roatan with Private Transfer: $125
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- Roatan Special Catamaran for Cruise Ship Passengers plus Transfer: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 dayOcho Rios $17Roatan $9.43
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
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $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 Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $200
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Roatan $27
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.
- Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
- Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
- Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
- Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50
- Ocho Rios For A Day / Private Customizable Tours / Jamaica Dream Vacation: $50
- Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Blue Hole & Konoko Falls: $50
- Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Blue Hole Secret Falls and Shopping: $50
- Blue hole waterfalls tour from Ocho Rios : $51
- Jamaica Foodie Jerk Chicken Experience: $55
- Shared Pub Dash Tour in Ocho Rios: $55
- Irie Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $55
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Mangrove cruise garífuna Culture sightseeing and Lunch : $89
- Sloths Sanctuary/Monkeys Play + Dune Buggy/ATV Adventure & Private Beach Resort: $139
- 2 Hour Zip Lining Private Tour in Mahogany Bay: $65
- 4-Hour East Side Roatan Private Guided Tour with Canoe Ride: $120
- ATV Safari and Horseback Adventure at Mahogany Bay: $110
- Adventures of Roatan ATV Pineapple beach break: $120
- Animal Sightings and Walking Tour at Gumbalimba Park with Addons: $90
- Atv Island Tour: $85
- Cruise Excursion – 2 Scuba Dives with transport (for certified divers): $175
- Cruise Ship Combo: Sloths, Chocolate Factory, City Tour, Beach, Private Shuttle: $75
- Cruise Ship Family Sloth & Monkeys, West Tour, Beach plus Private Vehicle: $75
- Cruise Ship Multiple Snorkeling, Snacks, Music & Private Vehicle: $110
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Roatan $7.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Roatan, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
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 Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Roatan?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Roatan, 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.