Which place is cheaper, Tulum or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ocho Rios or Tulum?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Tulum, 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 Tulum?
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.
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Tulum $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $122. 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 Tulum in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Tulum $60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Tulum $120
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Tulum
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Tulum? 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 Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Tulum $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ocho Rios or Runaway Bay 2-Hour Shopping Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Runaway Bay: $24
- AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
- Relaxing Montego Bay To Ducanon and Juwel Runaway Bay Transfer: $27
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
- Private Airport transfer from Montego Bay To Ocho Rios .: $30
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runnaway Bay Hotels(Private) : $32
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Ocho Rios : $33
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Dunns River Climb and Zipline over the Falls! : $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Transfer from Tulum airport to Bacalar: $233
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Chetumal With a 2 Hour Stop: $217
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $211
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $202
- Private transfer from Cancun airpot to Tulum up to 7 persons: $191
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $181
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Tulum?
Prices for flights to both Tulum 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 dayOcho Rios $17Tulum $34
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
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
-
Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $90
- Gourmet Experience: 5 Course Dinner, Cocktail Class and Wine Pairing: $159
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class and Cenote: $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Tulum $32
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 Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Full Day Tour from Tulum to Rio Lagartos: $179
- Luxury Tour to Chichen Itza and 2 Cenotes Only From Tulum: $128
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Romantic tour in Tulum: $169
- Sian Ka'an Boat Tour: Full Day Experience: $179
- 2 Cenotes Guided Snorkeling Adventure in Tulum: $149
- 4-Hour Cenotes Tour with Hotel Pickup in Riviera Maya: $109
- 4x1 Mayan Experience! Tulum Ruins, Coba, Cenote + Transportation from Tulum City: $78
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $90
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- 5x1: Tulum, Coba, Cenote and Mayan Village Full Day Tour: $99
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $105
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Tulum $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Tulum, we can see that Tulum 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 Tulum 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 Tulum would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tulum 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 Tulum Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Tulum?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Tulum. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Tulum, 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 Tulum?
Tulum 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 Tulum in the Summer?
Both Tulum 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. Also, many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Tulum averages at about 28°C (83°F).
In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 232 hours of full sun.
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Tulum 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Tulum in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Tulum. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Also, many visitors come to Tulum in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Tulum. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Tulum fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum 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 Tulum during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 216 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Tulum in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Tulum. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Tulum for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Tulum in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Tulum fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tulum receives 213 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Tulum 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Tulum in the Spring?
Both Tulum 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tulum because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Tulum. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Tulum averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tulum. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives less sunshine than Tulum during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Tulum receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Tulum. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tulum receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October in Tulum is the hurricane season.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Tulum 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Tulum and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Tulum | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.