A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Couples, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

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

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco? 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.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a vibrant, built-up, and well-known city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a touristy, laid back, and popular town. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Jaco travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Acapulco de Juarez. Although Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco are popular destinations, Acapulco de Juarez has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jaco is more touristy than Acapulco de Juarez and is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. Acapulco de Juarez is famous for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. It is also well known for the cliff divers of La Quebrada.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jaco and Acapulco de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Acapulco de Juarez is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Acapulco de Juarez specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Jaco offers a few options for museum-goers. Most people spend their time outside or partying while they're in town.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Acapulco de Juarez area. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Jaco. There's a range of restaurants around town that include hamburger joints, pizza shops, and other casual favorites. You'll find a variety of options along the main strip as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco has a better nightlife scene.

The nightlife in Acapulco de Juarez is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Jaco is a world class party destination. What was once a quiet surfing town is now one of the most famous party destinations in Costa Rica. There are a constantly growing number of bars and clubs around town and you'll find tons of young tourists and backpackers looking for a party.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jaco is not a resort destination.

Acapulco de Juarez offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Jaco. You can't really snorkel at Jaco Beach because of the waves and water conditions, but there are a number of snorkeling tours that leave from town and take you to better spots.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Acapulco de Juarez. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Jaco. Jaco Beach is a great spot for swimming and surfing. It's lost some of its original charm, but there's still golden sand and nearby horseback riding.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Jaco and Acapulco de Juarez.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to go shopping. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Jaco. Many of the shops are found along the main street. There are a number of souvenir stores and a few art galleries that are worth checking out.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Families?

Acapulco de Juarez is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Acapulco de Juarez. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jaco. Nearby you'll find horseback riding, monkey tours, and other fun kid-friendly activities. Kids will enjoy the beaches in the area as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Acapulco de Juarez has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Jaco is a nice destination for couples. It's one of the more touristy parts of Costa Rica, but if you enjoy surfing and beach life, then you'll find a lot to do in the area.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco is a great destination for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jaco is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a touristy town with a bit of a party reputation. There are plenty of hostels and other backpackers around so you shouldn't have trouble meeting people.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Acapulco de Juarez is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Acapulco de Juarez has some public transit options. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Jaco. Most people walk or get around by bicycle.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Jaco is a very walkable destination. The town is compact and walkable. You'll find many of the restaurants and shops along the main street, and it's easy to reach the beach on foot.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Jaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Acapulco de Juarez, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

Families should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Jaco. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Acapulco de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Jaco. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jaco.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Acapulco de Juarez. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the touristy destination of Jaco. This town offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Acapulco de Juarez is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Jaco is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Jaco. Most people visit for the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the well-known destination of Acapulco de Juarez. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Jaco. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

The built-up city of Acapulco de Juarez offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Jaco is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Jaco is in Central 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Jaco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jaco than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco, 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 Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco?

Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Jaco experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Jaco. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Jaco in the summer. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in July than Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco in the Autumn?

Both Jaco and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in October average around 28°C (83°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. It's quite rainy in Acapulco de Juarez. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Acapulco de Juarez during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Jaco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Jaco. The spring months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Jaco in the spring. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Jaco. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Acapulco de Juarez