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

Should you visit Wellington or Ocho Rios?

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

Should I visit Wellington or Ocho Rios? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Wellington or Ocho Rios?

Wellington

Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Ocho Rios or Wellington?

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 Wellington is $124, while the average daily cost in Ocho Rios is $85. 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 Wellington and Ocho Rios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wellington $60
    Ocho Rios $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wellington $120
    Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Ocho Rios

Looking for a hotel in Wellington or Ocho Rios? 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 Wellington


Hotels in Ocho Rios


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: Wellington Hotel Prices and Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wellington $12
    Ocho Rios $7.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

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

  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
  • WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
  • Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Ocho Rios?

Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios and Wellington 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
    Wellington $51
    Ocho Rios $28
Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    $8.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

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

  • 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wellington $16
    Ocho Rios $15

Tours and Activities in Wellington

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

  • Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
  • Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
  • Craft beers & car museum - Half Day Tour incl beverage samples: $99
  • Craft beers & car museums - Full Day Tour incl beverage samples: $168
  • Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour : $53
  • From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $108
  • From Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour: $289
  • From Martinborough Winery Tour: $111
  • From Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour: $127
  • Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including Cable Car: $150
  • Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $177
  • Full Day Tour of Wellington: $177

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wellington $12
    Ocho Rios $7.43

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

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

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
  • From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
  • Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391

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 Wellington and Ocho Rios, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific and Ocho Rios is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive? and Is Ocho Rios Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Wellington or Ocho Rios?

Wellington has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Wellington and Ocho Rios, 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 Wellington or Ocho Rios?

Wellington 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 Wellington or Ocho Rios in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Ocho Rios. Many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Wellington is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the summer temperatures in Wellington in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. In Wellington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wellington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Rios during summer. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Wellington usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Wellington 18°C (64°F) 
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Ocho Rios. Many visitors come to Wellington in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

In April, Wellington is generally much colder than Ocho Riosin October. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 15°C (58°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. In the autumn, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin October. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. Wellington usually gets less rain in April than Ocho Riosin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Wellington 15°C (58°F) 
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Ocho Rios in the Winter?

Both Ocho Rios and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Wellington is much colder than Ocho Rios in the winter. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 10°C (49°F) in July, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during winter. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Wellington. In July, Wellington usually receives more rain than Ocho Riosin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Wellington 10°C (49°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Wellington or Ocho Rios in the Spring?

Both Ocho Rios and Wellington during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

In the spring, Wellington is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the spring temperatures in Wellington in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (80°F)in April.

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Ocho Riosin April. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun.

Wellington usually gets more rain in October than Ocho Riosin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Wellington 13°C (55°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Wellington

Wellington Ocho Rios
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)