Which place is cheaper, Gainesville 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.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Gainesville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
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.
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesGainesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $85Gainesville $267
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $267. 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 Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $51Gainesville $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $102Gainesville $230
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Gainesville? 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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices and Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.32Gainesville $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ian Fleming Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay: $15
- Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) Transfer One-Way or Round-Trip to Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
- Private Transfer To And From Ian Fleming Ocho Rios. : $20
- Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
- Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
- ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
- Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $32
- Private Round Trip Transfer for Jamaican Jerk at Scotchie's Ocho Rios: $36
- Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $40
- Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville 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
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Food Meals for one dayOcho Rios $28Gainesville $121
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
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Gainesville $43
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.
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.43Gainesville $49
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 Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Gainesville?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?
Both Gainesville and Ocho Rios during the summer 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 family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Gainesville. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Gainesville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Ocho Rios gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Gainesville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Gainesville. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ocho Rios is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Gainesville in the Spring?
Both Gainesville and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).
In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
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.