A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ocho Rios vs. Chapel Hill for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

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.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Chapel Hill 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.

  • Ocho Rios Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ocho Rios $85
    Chapel Hill $200

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Chapel Hill is $200. 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 Chapel Hill in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Chapel Hill $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Chapel Hill $190
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Chapel Hill

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill? 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.

Hotels in Ocho Rios


Hotels in Chapel Hill


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 Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Chapel Hill $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
  • Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Ocho Rios: $90
  • ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
  • Airport Transfer - From MBJ to Ocho Rios Hotels: $80
  • Airport Transfer To Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay & Negril: $140
  • Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer : $61
  • Bahia Principe Grand and Luxury Airport Transfer: $80
  • Bob Marley & Nine Mile Heritage Tour with Bus Transfer/Ocho Rios: $117
  • Dunn's River Falls And Shopping Tour From Ocho Rios-Transfer Only: $67
  • Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
  • Grand Bahia Principe Hotel Airport Transfer: $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill?

Prices for flights to both Chapel Hill 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 day
    Ocho Rios $28
    Chapel Hill $84

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Chapel Hill $17
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
    $5.27
  • 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
  • Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping : $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Boat Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
  • Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $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
  • Ocho Rios City Tour and Sightseeing: $49
  • Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Chapel Hill $40

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 Ocho Rios and Chapel Hill, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

Both Chapel Hill and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

Both Chapel Hill and Ocho Rios during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chapel Hill in the winter. In January, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Chapel Hill. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

Ocho Rios is much warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Chapel Hill
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)