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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Hershey?

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

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

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.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

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, Hershey 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
    Hershey Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Ocho Rios $85
    Hershey $257

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Hershey is $257. 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 Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Hershey $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Hershey $228
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Hershey? 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 Hershey


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 Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Hershey $49

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hershey

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hershey:

  • Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey 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
    Hershey $105

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 Hershey

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hershey

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hershey.

  • Hershey Trolley Crawl and Evening Food Tour on a Vintage Trolley: $20
  • Hershey Trolley Food Tour Experience: $99
  • Rise and Dine Food Tour in Vintage Style Trolley: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Hershey $53
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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Harrisburg's Historic Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Hershey $27

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


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Hershey?

Hershey has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Hershey, 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 Hershey?

Hershey 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 Hershey in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Hershey averages at about 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Hershey in the Autumn?

Both Hershey 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 Hershey because of the shopping scene.

In October, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. Ocho Rios is much warmer than Hershey in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Hershey in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Hershey averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey 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 Hershey during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Hershey. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)