Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Freeport 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 Freeport 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: Freeport or Jaco?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $244Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $244, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $104. 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 Freeport and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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: Freeport Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer to the Port Lucaya Market: $150
- Roundtrip Airport Transfers Grand Lucayan Resort Freeport: $30
- Round-trip Airport Transfers to Castaway Resorts, Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $30
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Between Freeport Airport and Pelican Bay Resort : $30
- Private Transfer from Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Freeport Port to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): $29
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort : $233
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $167
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Freeport Airport to Hotel: $133
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $193
- Grand Bahama Airport: One-Way Transfer to Freeport Hotels: $139
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Freeport 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 dayFreeport $64Jaco $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
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$3.94
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$18
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Taco Bar Dinner$9.01
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.31
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Ice Cream$5.92
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.34
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Fruit Plate$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Jaco $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- 4 Hour Private Sandy Cay Experience with Snorkeling - Adults Only: $275
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour : $200
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $81
- Grand Bahama Agricultural Family Farm Tour: $120
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $85
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $70
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Snorkel/Swim with the Turtles Experience: $250
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
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$9.82
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.82
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Tortuga Island Tour$98
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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:
- Jungle & River ATV Adventure, 2 hours / Jacó: $95
- Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $71
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $75
- 2 Hour Private Ranch Experience in Quebrada Amarilla: $120
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- 2 hour ATV Tour & Waterfalls + Chocolate Experience : $110
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach : $99
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $110
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $95
- 4×4 Waterfalls and Jungle Experience: $80
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $30Jaco $32
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $75
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 Freeport and Jaco, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or Jaco?
Freeport has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Freeport 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.