Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Jaco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Jaco?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
Jaco
Jaco is a beach destination on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. This resort city is located in the county of Garabito in the Puntarenas province. It has a population of about 10,000 residents and a 2.5 mile long beach that is an excellent surfing destination.
Because Jaco is located on the coast, it's weather is influenced by the water. The climate is humid with a relative humidity of about 80%, but climbing to 90% in the month of June. The temperature is usually between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit at night. There are distinct wet and dry seasons with August through early December being the rainy season and late December through early April being the dry season. Rain is irregular during the rest of the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesJaco Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $462Jaco $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $462, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $133. 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 Dar es Salaam and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $424Jaco $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $848Jaco $150
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Jaco? 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $13Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Zanzibar Airport Shared Taxi Transfer to Any Hotel: $10
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Private VIP Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with two way transfers: $251
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $105
- Private Airport Transfers in Dar: $60
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Half-Day City Tour with Transfers: $59
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Dar Es Salaam Transfer from Airport Hotel Ferry or Train: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Uvita: $249
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer: $199
- One-Way Private Transfer from Jaco to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $175
- Private Transfer between SJO Airport, Jaco Beach and OTHERS: $160
- Private transfer from jaco beach,dreams to airport 《》1 via: $150
- Jaco to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - Departure Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Jaco Beach Puntarenas: $72
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Cobano Puntarenas: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $31Jaco $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam
For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dar es Salaam Night Tour with Local Dinner and Private Transfers: $49
- Dar es Salaam Old Town Walking and Food Tour With Transfers: $70
Typical Food Prices in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hermosa BeachLlunch$4.40
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$20
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Taco Bar Dinner$10
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$7.03
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Ice Cream$6.59
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.73
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Fruit Plate$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $65
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jaco: $99
- TICO Private Walking Food Tour: $107
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Jaco $67
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Market & Kaole Ruins: $280
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Historical tour - Full Day. (Ivory and Slaves Trade): $280
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bongoyo Island Full Day Tour from Dar Es Salaam: $120
- Car Tour to Mikumi National Park for You: $270
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $160
- Dar es Salaam Architectural Guided Walking Tour and History: $22
- Dar es Salaam City Tour & 360 Degree Revolving Dining Experience: $99
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Visit all attractive places: $130
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jaco
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Jaco's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Dance Class$11
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Surf Lesson$55
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Bike Rental$11
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Tortuga Island Tour$109
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Massage$49
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 HRS Buggy Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos: $212
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $85
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $105
- 3-Hour Private Guided Experience of 7 Course Contemporary Indian Tasting Menu: $225
- 4 hour ATV Adventure + Beach and Waterfalls near Los Suenos: $125
- 5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour: $160
- 5 in 1 Rainforest Adventures in Jacó, Costa Rica – Full Day Pass: $99
- 8 Hour Experience in Corcovado National Park: $200
- ATV River, Beach, Jungle Adventure and Crocodiles Hotspot from San Jose: $78
- ATV Tour in Jaco: $90
- ATV Tour in Jaco Beach, enjoy Jungle, River, and Beach - No large groups: $68
- ATV adventure 2hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.48Jaco $36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jaco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Jaco:
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Wine$16
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Night at the Bar$30
Sample the Local Flavors in Jaco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jaco:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown Jaco: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Jaco, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Jaco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaco 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Jaco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Jaco?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 660 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Jaco?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Jaco in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally cooler than Jaco. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Jaco. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
Also, November to May in Jaco is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco. It's quite rainy in Jaco. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Jaco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Jaco in the Winter?
Both Jaco and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Jaco during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco and Dar es Salaam during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
November to May is the dry season in Jaco. Also, June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.