Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Ocho Rios, 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: Punta del Este or Ocho Rios?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Ocho Rios $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $77. 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 Punta del Este and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Ocho Rios $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Ocho Rios $104
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Ocho Rios? 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Ocho Rios $7.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Couples Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $300
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $228
- From Scenic Guided Horseback Ride with Transfer: $195
- Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Resorts in Ocho Rios : $160
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Airport Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios: $130
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $125
- MBJ Airport Round trip Private transfer for Runaway Bay Hotels: $120
- Montego Bay Airport Transfers to Hotels to Ocho Rios: $115
- Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
- Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Ocho Rios $17
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
- Private Hillside Cooking Class Jamaican Style with Pickup : $104
- 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.Punta del Este $11Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
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.
- Authentic Jamaican Bamboo Rafting Tour from Runaway Bay: $194
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour from Ocho Rios: $77
- Full-Day Tour to Blue Hole Falls with Horseback Ride from Montego Bay: $220
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $65
- ATV AdVENTURE FROM OCHO RIOS : $190
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting and Horseback Riding Experience in Ocho Rios: $275
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, Horseback Ride Guided Tour from Montego Bay: $135
- All day Tour of Ocho Rios : $200
- Bamboo Rafting in Ocho Rios Private Experience: $207
- Bamboo Rafting on the Lethe great/river(:),tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Ocho Rios $7.71
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Ocho Rios, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este is in South America and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Punta del Este would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Ocho Rios?
Ocho Rios has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Ocho Rios, 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 Punta del Este or Ocho Rios?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
Both Ocho Rios and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Punta del Este is cooler than Ocho Rios in the summer. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
Both Ocho Rios and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Ocho Riosin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Ocho Riosin January. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Ocho Rios. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
Punta del Este is much colder than Ocho Rios in the spring. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Riosin April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Ocho Riosin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.