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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Santiago?

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

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

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.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Ocho Rios?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Santiago $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Santiago? 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 Santiago


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 Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Santiago $5.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Private Ian Fleming Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay: $15
  • Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) Transfer One-Way or Round-Trip to Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer To And From Ian Fleming Ocho Rios. : $20
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
  • Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $32
  • Private Round Trip Transfer for Jamaican Jerk at Scotchie's Ocho Rios: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer San Antonio Cruise from Santiago to Valparaiso: $300
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $290
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Santiago de Chile : private transfer in SUV to Viña del mar or Valparaíso: $270
  • Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $261
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago 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 $28
    Santiago $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:

  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Santiago $47
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
    $5.27
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $17

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.

  • Ocho Rios Shopping Tour : $21
  • Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping : $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Boat Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
  • Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
  • Skip-The-Line: Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Transportation to Horse Back Ride & Swim Adventure from Ocho Rios: $45
  • Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
  • Ocho Rios City Tour and Sightseeing: $49
  • Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
  • Private Sightseeing City Tour in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $240
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
  • 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $55
  • Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & Santuario del Río Spa: $132
  • Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Santiago $8.40

Sample the Local Flavors in Ocho Rios

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ocho Rios:

  • Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $113

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 510 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Santiago, 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 Santiago?

Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Ocho Rios during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Ocho Rios is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 29°C (83°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

Ocho Rios is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.

Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Santiago. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocho Rios in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

In April, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (80°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In April, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)