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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Saint John?

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

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

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Saint John? 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 Saint John


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
    Saint John $49

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
  • Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $99
  • 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 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John 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
    Saint John $56

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Saint John $23
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 Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
  • Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
  • Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $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
  • Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Konoko Falls And Garden and Shopping: $50

Tours and Activities in Saint John

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

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
  • USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    Saint John $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Ocho Rios or Saint John?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Saint John in the Summer?

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

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Saint John. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Saint John. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Saint John. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Saint John. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)