Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Santa Elena, 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 Santa Elena?
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.
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $75Santa Elena $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $75, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $89. 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 Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Santa Elena $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Santa Elena $106
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Santa Elena? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.48Santa Elena $11
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
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Ocho Rios: $183
- Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160
- 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
- Montego Bay VIP airport transfer to Ocho Rios : $130
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Private Transfer From/ To Runaway Bay: $124
- MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $220
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $186
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena 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 $16Santa Elena $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
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
- Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $130
- Ocho Ros: Hillside Cooking Class, Jamaican Style: $130
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Runaway Bay: $138
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour: $140
- Ocho Rios Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $218
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Santa Elena $29
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$5.38
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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 Waterfalls + Bamboo River Rafting Tour from Ocho Rios: $109
- Combo Blue Hole and Horseback Riding Tour From Ocho Rios : $160
- Private Dunn's River and Blue hole tour from Ocho Rios : $80
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV Tour from Runaway Bay : $200
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $250
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Runaway Bay: $206
- Bamboo Rafting & River Tubing Tour Ocho Rios(Entry Fee Included): $220
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $205
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $18
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $80
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Bird Watching Experience in Monteverde: $90
- Bird Watching Tour in Monteverde: $100
- Bird-Watching private tour : $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour (Regular): $52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.59Santa Elena $6.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena 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 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena 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. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Santa Elena. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Ocho Rios usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. 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 Santa Elena. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios is cooler than Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.