Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Ocho Rios?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Ocho Rios can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Ocho Rios?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesOcho Rios Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Ocho Rios $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $87. 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 Zanzibar and Ocho Rios in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Ocho Rios $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Ocho Rios
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Ocho Rios $7.43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $300
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Transfer in Range Rover Sport: $300
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Daressalam with two way transfers: $260
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
- Private Nakupenda Beach Day with Seafood Lunch and Transfers: $126
- Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Makunduchi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Makunduchi: $97
- Private Transfer from Kizimkazi to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Kizimkazi: $97
- Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
- Zanzibar Old Town Private Transfer: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ***PRIVATE Airport Transfer to HOTELS in around RUNAWAY BAY***: $130
- Airport Transfer - From MBJ to Ocho Rios Hotels: $80
- Airport Transfer Ocho Rios hotels: $80
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Service from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios: $150
- Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
- Airport Transfer To Riu Hotel Ocho Rios: $100
- Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay Hotels (MBJ): $56
- Arrive Like Royalty VIP Airport Transfer from Montego Bay: $9.99
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer: $61
- Blue Hole Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting Tour Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $109
- Dunn's River Falls And Shopping Tour From Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $65
- Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Ocho Rios?
Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $28Ocho Rios $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class: $69
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $99
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
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:
- Exclusive Sunset Dinner At Reggae Hill: $99
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Runaway Bay: $138
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Ocho Rios $15
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $19
- 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $68
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Full Day Safari Blue Tour And Blue Lagoon: $140
- A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
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$5.35
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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.
- VIP Dunn River Falls and Blue Hole Experience: $25
- Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
- Blue Hole Admission Fee Ticket: $26
- Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour: $35
- Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
- Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
- Blue Hole Tour from Ocho Rios: $49
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50
- Jamaican Escapade Experience Dunn's River's Natural Majesty: $50
- Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50
- Shared Tour in Ocho Rios with Horseback Riding and Swimming: $53
- Shared Konoko Falls and Tropical Garden Tour from Ocho Rios: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Ocho Rios $7.54
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
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: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Ocho Rios, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Ocho Rios?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Ocho Rios?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Ocho Rios in the Summer?
Both Ocho Rios and Zanzibar during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 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 Zanzibar. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar is cooler than Ocho Rios in the summer. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Ocho Rios. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Ocho Rios during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zanzibar in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Ocho Rios in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Ocho Rios. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 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 Zanzibar this time of the year. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun.
In January, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 28°C (82°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Ocho Rios in the Spring?
Both Ocho Rios and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Zanzibar. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Ocho Rios in the spring. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Ocho Rios | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.