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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Huaraz?

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

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

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.

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Huaraz 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $66. 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 Huaraz in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Huaraz $21
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Huaraz $42
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Huaraz

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz


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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Huaraz $11

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.29

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Huaraz?

Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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
    Huaraz $32

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 Huaraz

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


  • Lunch
    $6.31
  • Chips
    $1.58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Huaraz $21
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 Huaraz

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


  • Climbing Gear
    $18

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

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

  • 2-Day Hatun Machay Tour: $439
  • 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
  • From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi 4D/3N: $197
  • From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz 2D/1N: $92
  • From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $40
  • From Chavín de Huántar Full-Day Tour with Lunch: $55
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • From Cordillera Huayhuash 8-Day Trekking Tour: $1,650
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $35
  • From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65
  • From Nevado Pastoruri Tour fullday tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Huaraz $16

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 Huaraz, we can see that Ocho Rios is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands and Huaraz is in South 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.

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 Huaraz Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Huaraz?

Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?

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 Ocho Rios or Huaraz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Huaraz. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in July than Huaraz. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the summer, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Huaraz averages at about 3°C (37°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F) 
    Huaraz 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Huaraz in the Autumn?

Both Huaraz 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. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Huaraz. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. In October, Ocho Rios is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Huaraz 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Huaraz in the Winter?

Both Huaraz 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.

Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in January than Huaraz. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Ocho Rios is much warmer than Huaraz in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Huaraz 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Huaraz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Ocho Rios is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Huaraz averages at about 6°C (43°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Huaraz 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Huaraz and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Huaraz
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 4°C (39°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)