A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Foz do Iguacu vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu

Foz do Iguacu is a spectacular, scenic, and breathtaking park. With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Foz do Iguacu travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a popular, touristy, and laid back town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

Foz do Iguacu and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Foz do Iguacu. Although Foz do Iguacu and Jaco are both popular with visitors, Foz do Iguacu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Foz do Iguacu is more popular for its museums and attractions, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Jaco is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Foz do Iguacu is popular for its spectacular beauty and incredible volume of water. It is also home to Iguacu National Park. Jaco is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches.

How is Foz do Iguacu different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a handful of museums and nature parks in and near town.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Foz do Iguacu and Jaco.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Foz do Iguacu. You'll find a variety of restaurants around town where you can sample the regional cuisine. A popular item on the menus is Surubí (a local river fish). Also make sure you try the Mbeyú (fried bread), and paraguayan soup (more like bread than an actual soup).

Jaco is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Foz do Iguacu is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Jaco is a must-see 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Foz do Iguacu has a few options to choose from. Head to the intersection of Avenida JK and Avenida Jorge Schimmelpfeng for the most lively nightlife scene in town. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of restaurants and bars, many with outdoor areas or live music.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Jaco is a town with good options for the beach. However, Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

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.

Foz do Iguacu is not a beach destination.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Hiking?

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Foz do Iguacu. There's a network of trails and walkways at the foot of the falls as well as above the falls. You can also venture into the surrounding rainforest or hike to Devil's Throat for a great view.

Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Jaco and Foz do Iguacu.

Foz do Iguacu offers some nice shopping areas. There's shopping in the center of town, particularly around Avenida Brasil, Rua Barbosa, Rua Almirante Barroso, and Quintino Bocaiuva.

Jaco has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco More Beautiful?

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Foz do Iguacu attracts visitors from all around. The falls is absolutely breathtaking. The volume of water and enormity in size is something that you can only experience in person.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Families?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu. Of course, the highlight for everyone is a visit to Iguacu National Park, which also offers boat rides, hiking, and spectacular views. In addition to this impressive park, the whole family will also enjoy a visit to Parque das Aves, which is a bird park that includes information on wildlife species and conservation.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Couples?

Foz do Iguacu is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Foz do Iguacu makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While the town itself has limited entertainment, the waterfalls is a spectacular sight that has inspired more than a few marriage proposals.

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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Foz do Iguacu and Jaco are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Foz do Iguacu is a great park to visit for backpackers. This is one of the country's most popular backpacker destinations so you'll find plenty of hostels and young travelers to hang out with. The falls itself is truly incredible and well worth the trip.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Jaco. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Foz do Iguacu 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.

Foz do Iguacu has some public transit options. It's 12 miles between the park and the town so you'll need to take either a taxi or a public bus. On your way to the park, you should arrange for a ride back because finding a taxi as you leave can be challenging.

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

Is Foz do Iguacu or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Foz do Iguacu is a park with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

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.

Foz do Iguacu is generally not a very walkable park. There are walkways near the waterfalls, but the city isn't particularly walkable and you'll need transportation to travel between the park and the town.

For even more information, also check out Is Foz do Iguacu Worth Visiting? and Is Jaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Foz do Iguacu?

How long in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Foz do Iguacu or Jaco. In our opinion, Foz do Iguacu has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Foz do Iguacu than Jaco. However, 3-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Foz do Iguacu. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Foz do Iguacu is a fun place to experience. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

You'll find food and shopping around the breathtaking destination of Foz do Iguacu. This park offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular destination of Jaco. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

The scenic park of Foz do Iguacu offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the town of Jaco. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Foz do Iguacu has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco?

Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Jaco. Most visitors come to Foz do Iguacu for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. Foz do Iguacu receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than Jacoin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Jaco in the Autumn?

Both Jaco and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Foz do Iguacu because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Jacoin October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Jacoin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 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 is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Foz do Iguacu during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Foz do Iguacu this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

Foz do Iguacu is much colder than Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than Jacoin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Jaco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Jaco. Many travelers come to Foz do Iguacu for the natural beauty. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.

Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Jacoin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 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. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Foz do Iguacu