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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach, 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 Cocoa Beach?

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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cocoa Beach 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
    Cocoa Beach Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ocho Rios $85
    Cocoa Beach $176

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Cocoa Beach is $176. 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 Cocoa Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Cocoa Beach $85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Cocoa Beach $170
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Cocoa Beach

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach? 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 Cocoa Beach


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 Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Cocoa Beach $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
  • Sandals Ocho Rios Resort Airport Transfer: $67
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Transfers between Montego Bay Airport: $60
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160
  • Runaway Bay Airport Transfer: $48
  • Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
  • Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $50
  • Private Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Runaway Bay Hotels: $54
  • Private Transfers To/From Ocho Rios & OCJ Airport Across Jamaica: $143
  • Private Transfer to horseback,Bluehole,River rafting in OchoRios.: $70
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach?

Prices for flights to both Cocoa Beach 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
    Cocoa Beach $75

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Cocoa Beach $16
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.

  • 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

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Hour Virtual Reality Experience Skull & Books VR - Cocoa Beach: $45
  • LED Bio Comb Jelly Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Tour!: $75
  • 2 Hour Tiki Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Cocoa Beach: $65
  • 2 Hr Dolphin & Manatee River Cruise . Melbourne, Cocoa Beach,Fl. : $30
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $49
  • Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour Near Orlando: $75
  • Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $70
  • Bioluminescence Night Craigcat Tours : $190
  • Bioluminescence Rafting Tour - Wildlife Refuge (Titusville): $60
  • Bioluminescence Rafting Tour Cocoa Beach: $82
  • Bioluminescent Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboard Sit-On-Top Kayak Hybrid Tour!: $100
  • Bioluminescent Kayak Tour by THE #1 Rated Company in Cocoa Beach: $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Cocoa Beach $20

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 Cocoa Beach, we can see that Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach?

Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Cocoa Beach, 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 Cocoa Beach?

Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Cocoa Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Also, many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Cocoa Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Cocoa Beach averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach in the Winter?

Both Cocoa Beach and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Cocoa Beach. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Cocoa Beach in the Spring?

Both Cocoa Beach and Ocho Rios during the spring 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 beaches are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.

Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Cocoa Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Cocoa Beach fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Cocoa Beach. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cocoa Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Cocoa Beach and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Cocoa Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)