Which place is cheaper, Tulum 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.
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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.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesTulum Prices
Mexico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $85Tulum $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Tulum is $133. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $51Tulum $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $102Tulum $108
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.32Tulum $25
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 to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Dunns River Climb and Zipline over the Falls! : $34
- Private Round Trip Transfer for Jamaican Jerk at Scotchie's Ocho Rios: $36
- Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40
- Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $40
- Runaway Bay Airport Transfer: $48
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $50
- Private Nightclub Tour with Transfer from Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Mahahual With a 2 Hour Stop: $270
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Luxury SUV Private Transfer from Riviera Maya to Cancun Airport: $261
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $261
- Tulum to Chetumal - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $250
- Luxury Tulum Transfer from Tulum Airport: $220
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Tulum Hotels to Merida Rejon Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $215
- Private Transfer From Tulum to Cancun With a 2 Hour Stop: $210
- Tulum to Mahahual - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $206
- Private Luxury SUV Transfers from Tulum Airport : $195
- Tulum to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $191
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
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Food Meals for one dayOcho Rios $28Tulum $54
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$2.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Salsa Class with Mezcalita Workshop & Mexican Dinner in Tulum: $71
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $88
- Tulum Vegan Food Tour: $92
- Temazcal Mayan Ritual Tour and Cenote Swim with Yucatecan Dinner: $120
- Mexican Cooking class experience in Tulum: $131
- Private Authentic Mayan Cooking Class with Tulum Hotel Transfers: $280
- Private Mayan Food Cooking Class, Cenote and Coba Ruins : $289
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Tulum $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$5.27
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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
- Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour: $35
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $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
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
- Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
- Jamaican Escapade Experience Dunn's River's Natural Majesty: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Chichen Itza & Cenote Chichikan Bus Tour Experience from Tulum: $71
- Full Day Tour from Tulum to Rio Lagartos: $229
- Luxury Tour to Chichen Itza and 2 Cenotes Only From Tulum: $128
- Private Tour - The best Cenotes in Yucatan - Suytun & Oxman: $195
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Guided Tour: $220
- Tulum Extreme Mayan Adventure with ATV, Zipline and Cenote: $38
- 2 Cenotes Private Tour – VIP Adventure with Expert Guide: $154
- 2 tanks Cenote Diving Adventure in Tulum for Certified Divers: $200
- 3 in 1 Experience in Tulum: $111
- 5 Hours Mayan Snorkeling Experience in Tulum: $94
- 5x1 Deluxe Tour Tulum, Coba, Cenote Transportation from Tulum: $88
- ATV Adventure and Horseback Ride with Ziplines, Cenote from Tulum: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.43Tulum $23
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: $100
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.