Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Ocho Rios $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $85. 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 Vang Vieng and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Ocho Rios $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Ocho Rios $7.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Luxury Transfer to Sandals Dunn’s River from MBJ Airport: $300
- Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
- VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
- Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
- Ocho Rios Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $240
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels: $200
- Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer: $180
- Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos: $176
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Ocho Rios $28
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- 1 Day Guided Tour in Cave from Vang Vieng: $175
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour in Vang Vieng: $180
- Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike and Blue Lagoon Tour: $79
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Vang Vieng 1-Day Cave Exploration Tour with Guide: $175
- Vang Vieng Ballooning Adventures: $260
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Experience and Longtail Boat: $137
- Vang Vieng Hot Air Balloon Kayak Zipline,Blue lagoon1 Tour: $148
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Kayaking Fun Rapid and Float Tour: $65
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.
- Black River Safari & YS Falls Tour from Runaway Bay: $285
- Blue Hole Tour From Ocho Rios: $60
- Blue Hole Waterfalls + Bamboo River Rafting Tour from Ocho Rios: $109
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $165
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Tubing Combo Tour from Ocho Rios: $140
- Private Dunn's River and Blue hole tour from Ocho Rios : $110
- Private Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $60
- Shopping Tour From Runaway Bay Hotels : $75
- 1 Hour Private Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $65
- ATV Adventure and Shopping from Falmouth (Minimum 4 persons): $165
- ATV Guided Tour To Blue Hole & Spanish Bridge In Ocho Rios: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Ocho Rios $7.43
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Ocho Rios would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocho Rios than you might in Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios?
Vang Vieng has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios?
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 Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
Both Ocho Rios and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Ocho Rios in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
Both Ocho Rios and Vang Vieng during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Ocho Rios. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Rios during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
Vang Vieng receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Ocho Rios in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.