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

Should you visit Ocho Rios or Oahu?

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

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

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.

Oahu

Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Oahu 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 Oahu is $371. 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 Oahu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ocho Rios $51
    Oahu $237
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ocho Rios $102
    Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Oahu

Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios or Oahu? 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 Oahu


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 Oahu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ocho Rios $7.32
    Oahu $21

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oahu

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

  • One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Ko Olina, Cruise Port: $265
  • Polynesian Show and Dining experience with Transfer: $230
  • Private Transfer from Kawela to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
  • Private Transfer from North Shore to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $224
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Kawela : $222
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $222
  • Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
  • Private Transfer Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive SUV: $159
  • Private Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu Airport HNL in Luxury SUV: $149
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Terminal and Oahu hotel and Airport: $140
  • Waikiki: 5-in-1 Turtle Snorkeling Trip with Transfer: $139

Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Oahu?

Prices for flights to both Oahu 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
    Oahu $91

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 Oahu

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

  • Honolulu's Walking Food Tour: $129
  • Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
  • Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $135
  • Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
  • Hawaii Off The Beaten Path Food Tour: $150
  • Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
  • Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $159
  • Chief's Luau Dinner Show: $177
  • Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner and Show: $193
  • Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail from the Hilton Hawaiian Village : $211
  • Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $236
  • Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ocho Rios $15
    Oahu $27
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 Oahu

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

  • "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
  • Guided Kayak Tour to Kailua’s Twin Islands: $219
  • Spanish-Guided Circle Island Adventure : $139
  • Waikiki Two Tank Guided Scuba Diving Adventure: Certified Diver: $249
  • "Capture Memories: One-Hour Photography Experience at Waikiki": $150
  • 1-Hour 3 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $109
  • 12pm Turtle Canyon Snorkel Adventure: $85
  • 18 Minutes SHARED Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $239
  • 2 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise from Oahu: $34
  • 2-Hour 6 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $199
  • 2-Hour Private Botanical Facial with Hand Dip Experience: $175
  • 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ocho Rios $7.43
    Oahu $6.47

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Oahu

Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocho Rios and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Ocho Rios or Oahu?

Oahu 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 Oahu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Oahu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

In July, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 29°C (83°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during summer. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ocho Rios usually receives more rain than Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Oahu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Oahu. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the autumn, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ocho Rios usually gets more rain in October than Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F) 
    Oahu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu 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, many visitors come to Oahu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ocho Rios is a little warmer than Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocho Rios in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during winter. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Ocho Rios usually receives less rain than Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F) 
    Oahu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Ocho Rios or Oahu in the Spring?

Both Oahu 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, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (80°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the spring, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.

Ocho Rios usually gets less rain in April than Oahu. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F) 
    Oahu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Oahu and Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Oahu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)