Which place is cheaper, San Juan del Sur or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur?
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 Juan del Sur, 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 Juan del Sur?
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 Juan del Sur
San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77San Juan del Sur $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in San Juan del Sur is $53. 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 Juan del Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52San Juan del Sur $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104San Juan del Sur $42
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and San Juan del Sur
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur? 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 San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60San Juan del Sur $18
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 San Juan del Sur?
Prices for flights to both San Juan del Sur 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
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Food Meals for one dayOcho Rios $17San Juan del Sur $18
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15San Juan del Sur $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate$11
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Admission to Coyaba Gardens$5.47
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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 San Juan del Sur
Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
- Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159
- SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
- San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
- atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71San Juan del Sur $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and San Juan del Sur, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur.
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 Juan del Sur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of San Juan del Sur. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and San Juan del Sur, 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 San Juan del Sur?
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 San Juan del Sur in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 175 hours of full sun.
In July, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 29°C (83°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur in the Autumn?
Both San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than San Juan del Sur during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur in the Winter?
Both San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur year-round.
Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in January than San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan del Sur, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan del Sur receives 244 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocho Rios in January average around 26°C (79°F), and San Juan del Sur averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or San Juan del Sur in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and San Juan del Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. San Juan del Sur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than San Juan del Sur. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Juan del Sur receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan del Sur this time of the year. In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan del Sur during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan del Sur receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as San Juan del Sur. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (80°F), and San Juan del Sur fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan del Sur and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | San Juan del Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
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.