A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Buzios vs. Jaco for Families, Backpackers, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Buzios or Jaco?

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

Should I visit Buzios 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.

Buzios

It's also popular because of the food. See Buzios travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a popular, touristy, and laid back town. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Jaco travel costs.

Buzios and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Buzios or Jaco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jaco. Although Buzios and Jaco are both popular with visitors, Jaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jaco is more touristy than Buzios and is known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. It is also home to Carara National Park. Buzios is popular for

How is Buzios different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Buzios or Jaco?

Jaco is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Buzios does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Jaco. Most people spend their time outside or partying while they're in town.

Buzios does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Buzios or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Buzios and Jaco.

Buzios has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find fresh seafood, Brazilian flavors, and international cuisine. Many beachfront restaurants serve dishes like grilled fish, moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew), and shrimp pastéis. Rua das Pedras, the town's main street, is packed with places to eat. There's everything from fine dining to casual eateries that offer pizza, sushi, and Argentine barbecue. The city also has many street vendors where you can grab a meal for very little money.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Jaco area. 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 Buzios or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is renowned for nightlife and partying. However, Buzios is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Jaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Buzios is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Buzios or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Buzios is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Jaco has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Buzios is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Buzios or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Jaco is a popular place for the beach. However, Buzios is not a beach destination.

Jaco is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Buzios is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Buzios or Jaco?

Jaco is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Buzios is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Buzios is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Buzios or Jaco Better for Families?

Buzios 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 Buzios. Families enjoy hanging out at Ferradura Beach, which usually has calm waters where you can swim and play. A boat tour around the peninsula lets families explore hidden beaches, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and even spot marine life. Strolling down Rua das Pedras in the evening offers a mix of delicious restaurants, ice cream shops, and lively street performances. For a bit of adventure, families can take a buggy ride to explore the scenic coastline and visit panoramic viewpoints like Mirante do Forno.

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 Buzios or Jaco Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Buzios and Jaco make for a good place to visit.

Buzios makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are sunset cruises along the coast that offer champagne and beautiful views. You can also take a stroll down the charming Rua das Pedras and enjoy a meal at a cozy restaurant. A day at the beach is a fun activity and adventure-loving couples can explore hidden coves on a boat tour, go snorkeling together, or take a scenic hike to Mirante do Forno for stunning panoramic views.

Jaco is a good for couples to visit. 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 Buzios or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Buzios and Jaco are very good places to visit.

Many backpackers visit Buzios. There are hostels, beaches, and a variety of activities that backpackers can enjoy. With over 20 beaches and plenty of affordable street food, this is a great spot for budget travelers. You'll also find many other backpackers in the area.

Jaco is a very popular 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.

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

Jaco is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Buzios does not have public transit.

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

Buzios does not have public transit.

Is Buzios or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a great town for its high level of walkability. However, Buzios is not a walkable destination.

Jaco is a very walkable town. 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.

Buzios is not a walkable destination.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Buzios?

How long in Buzios or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Buzios or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Buzios due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Buzios, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Buzios 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 Buzios or Jaco?

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Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Buzios. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jaco. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Buzios or Jaco?

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Buzios is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Jaco is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Buzios or Jaco?

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Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Buzios. This offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Buzios or Jaco?

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The of Buzios offers food. 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the touristy destination of Jaco. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, 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 Buzios and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Buzios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Buzios is in South 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 Buzios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buzios 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 Buzios.

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

Which is Bigger, Buzios or Jaco?

Buzios has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Buzios 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.