Which place is cheaper, Marathon 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 Marathon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Marathon, 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 Marathon?
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.
Marathon
You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Ocho Rios Prices
Jamaica PricesMarathon Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $85Marathon $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $85, while the average daily cost in Marathon is $195. 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 Marathon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $51Marathon $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $102Marathon $152
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Marathon
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Marathon? 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 Marathon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.32Marathon $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Luxury Transfer to Sandals Dunn’s River from MBJ Airport: $300
- Grand Bahia Jamaica Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Rountrip): $300
- VIP***Private KINGSTON Airport Transfers to***OCHO RIOS**HOTELS**: $292
- Kingston Airport (KIN) to Runaway Bay Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay Hotels: $240
- Ocho Rios Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $240
- Kingston Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels: $200
- Luxury Ocho Rios Transfer: $180
- Private Transfer from Jamaica (MBJ) Airport to Ocho Ríos: $176
- Jewels Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $170
- Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer To and from ochi rios : $170
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Round Trip Transfers from MBJ: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Marathon?
Prices for flights to both Marathon 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 $28Marathon $89
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Marathon $27
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.
- 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 Marathon
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Marathon.
- Florida: Sunset Champagne Cruise on the Marathon Mermaid: $82
- Intro to Foilboarding Experience: $214
- Rhum Runner Aqua Park Adventure: $38
- Snorkeling Adventure by Boat at Sombrero Reef: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.43Marathon $24
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 Marathon, we can see that Marathon 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 Marathon 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 Marathon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marathon 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 Marathon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Marathon?
Marathon has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios and Marathon, 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 Marathon?
Marathon 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 Marathon in the Summer?
Both Marathon and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.
In the summer, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Marathon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocho Rios in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Marathon averages at about 84°F (29°C).
It's quite sunny in Marathon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives less sunshine than Marathon during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Marathon receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Marathon 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Marathon in the Autumn?
Both Marathon and Ocho Rios during the autumn 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, many travelers come to Marathon for the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Marathon. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 28°C (82°F), and Marathon fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).
In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets less sunshine than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marathon receives 258 hours of full sun.
Marathon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Marathon 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Marathon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Marathon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marathon in the winter for the cuisine.
Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Marathon in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Marathon fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon 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 Marathon during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Marathon receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Marathon 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Marathon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Marathon. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Marathon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Marathon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocho Rios in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Marathon averages at about 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the spring, Ocho Rios often gets less sunshine than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marathon receives 326 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in April than Marathon. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Marathon 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Marathon and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Marathon | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.