A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ocho Rios vs. San Cristobal de Las Casas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocho Rios or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas?

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.

San Cristobal de Las Casas

Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen.


Which place is cheaper, San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $52
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $104
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $94
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and San Cristobal de Las Casas

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or San Cristobal de Las Casas? 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas


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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.60
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $50
  • Riu Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer: $80
  • Riu Ocho Rios Jamaica Private Airport Transfer: $60
  • Relaxing Montego Bay To Ducanon and Juwel Runaway Bay Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer to Yaaman Adventure Park from Ocho Rios: $60
  • Private Transfer to White River Tubing Ocho Rios: $40
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40
  • Private Transfer from Ocho Rios to Sangster Airport MBJ: $60
  • Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas

Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

Prices for flights to both San Cristobal de Las Casas 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
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $23

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 San Cristobal de Las Casas

For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Mexican cooking classes with Toñita: $12
  • City Tour with Dinner Pizza and Wine: $71

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $14
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
  • Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
  • Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
  • Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
  • ATV AdVENTURE FROM OCHO RIOS : $190
  • ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $275
  • ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
  • All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Runaway Bay: $206
  • Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207

Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas

For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Days Tour Sumidero Canyon+Montebello lakes & Chiflon waterfalls: $211
  • 2 Days tour Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo+Indian communities : $171
  • Adventure on Motorcycle to a Hidden Waterfall! : $119
  • Adventure through the Arcotete, Mamut and Rancho Nuevo Caves: $59
  • Agua Azul, Misol Hà Waterfalls and Palenque Ruins Tour: $48
  • Bicycle rental - tour included: $9.00
  • Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $62
  • Chamula and Zinacantan Indigenous Villages Tour: $30
  • Food Walking Tour in San Cristobal : $71
  • From San Cristóbal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque with Guide 1 day: $65
  • Full Day Tour in Lagos de Montebello and El Chiflón: $79
  • Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.71
    San Cristobal de Las Casas $30


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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or San Cristobal de Las Casas?

San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and San Cristobal de Las Casas, 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.