Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Fort-de-France?
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 Fort-de-France or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fort-de-France and Jaco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Fort-de-France or Jaco?
Fort-de-France
As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.
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 Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Fort-de-France Prices
Martinique PricesJaco Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort-de-France €194Jaco €119
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is €194, while the average daily cost in Jaco is €119. 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 Fort-de-France and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort-de-France €79Jaco €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort-de-France €158Jaco €134
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France 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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort-de-France €16Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France
Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Fort de France Port to Martinique Airport (FDF): $73
- Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $73
- Private Transfer from Fort de France Port to Fort de France: $73
- Private Transfer Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France Port: $73
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Round-Trip Transfer: $132
- Martinique Airport (FDF) to Fort de France - Arrival Transfer: $66
- Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jaco Beach / Los Suenos Marriott to Arenal Private Transfer: $290
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer: $194
- One-Way Private Transfer from Jaco to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $175
- Transfer from Jaco to SJO airport or return to the Jaco area: $150
- Jaco / Los Sueños Marriott Hotels to SJO Airport Private Transfer: $145
- Jaco to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Private Transfer From Guacaste Airport to Jaco: $81
- Private Transfer Los Sueños, Jaco & Playa Hermosa to SJO Airport: $74
- 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 Fort-de-France or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Fort-de-France 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 dayFort-de-France €100Jaco €36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France
For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
- Martinique: Food tour to Saint-Pierre and waterfall: $124
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€3.93
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner€18
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Taco Bar Dinner€8.98
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch€6.29
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Ice Cream€5.89
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Breakfast Taco Bar€3.33
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Fruit Plate€2.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jaco: $99
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort-de-France €31Jaco €60
Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.
- Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Fort de France - hidden squares and secret corners - a walking tour of FDF: $75
- Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $71
- Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
- Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
- Half-Day Nature and Panorama Tour in Martinique: $108
- Karaib Tour: $66
- Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
- Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
- Martinique: Cruise and Snorkel with Sea Turtles, Fish and Corals: $75
- Martinique: Dolphin and Turtle-Watching Catamaran Day Tour: $136
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€9.79
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Surf Lesson€49
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Bike Rental€9.79
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Tortuga Island Tour€97
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Massage€44
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour ATV Off-Road Jungle Adventure Jaco: $85
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach: $99
- 3-Hour Private Guided Experience of 7 Course Contemporary Indian Tasting Menu: $225
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $129
- 5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Experience in Corcovado National Park: $200
- ATV Adventure + Horseback Riding and Natural Swimming Pool: $140
- ATV River, Beach, Jungle Adventure and Crocodiles Hotspot from San Jose: $78
- ATV adventure 2hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $89
- ATV adventure 3hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $115
- Adventure Shore Excursion Day Trip from Puntarenas and Caldera: $162
- Adventure in Los Chocuacos with all inclusive.: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort-de-France €10Jaco €32
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:
- Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
- North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $154
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€15
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Night at the Bar€27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort-de-France and Jaco, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fort-de-France or Jaco?
Fort-de-France has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Fort-de-France 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.
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.