Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Granada?
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 Granada or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Jaco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Granada or Jaco?
Granada
Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Granada Prices
Nicaragua PricesJaco Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada $50Jaco $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $50, 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 Granada and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada $17Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada $34Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Granada and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Granada 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: Granada Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada $8.54Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $40
- Leon: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Granada: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Rivas: $39
- From One way shared transfer to Leon: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle & transfer rides to SJO Airport Costa Rica: $55
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Playa Jaco Puntarenas: $63
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Jaco Beach Puntarenas: $66
- Private Direct SJO ↔ Jaco Beach/Los Sueños Transfer Service: $70
- Jaco to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - Departure Private Transfer: $144
- One-Way Private Transfer from Jaco to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $175
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $204
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Granada 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 dayGranada $24Jaco $36
Typical Food Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:
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Pizza$2.28
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$9.00
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.30
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Ice Cream$5.91
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.34
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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:
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Traditional Costa Rican cooking class and meal with a modern twist: $139
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada $10Jaco $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:
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Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour$8.14
Tours and Activities in Granada
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:
- Volcano Mombacho Adventure in the Cloud Forest & Apoyo Lake : $115
- 3 Volcanoes Full Day Tour! Unique experience!: $145
- Bird Watching Tour: $90
- Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $130
- Canopy & Crater on Mombacho Volcano & Islets Sunset Boat Tour: $144
- Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
- City Tour Granada, Nicaragua.: $40
- Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
- From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
- Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
- Full Day Tour Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
- Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
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$9.81
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.81
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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:
- Cold Plunge Experience in Jaco: $35
- Crocodile Man Tour THE ORIGINAL: $35
- Jungle Crocodile Safari and Bird Watching tour/Tarcoles River CR: $40
- Chocolate Experience in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $45
- 10 WATERFALLS and NATURAL POOLS HIKING EXPERIENCE 4x4 TRUCK RIDE: $60
- Party Safari Tractor Tour with Visit the waterfall: $60
- Jaco Beach Horseback Riding Tour: $60
- Jaco Horseback Riding Adventure Tours: $61
- Horseback Riding in Tarcoles Garabito, a Life Experience.: $62
- Birdwatching tour in Carara National Park: $65
- Mountain View Zip-line Tour: $67
- Jacó beach horseback riding experience : $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada $7.48Jaco $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:
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Tequila$1.36
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$15
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Night at the Bar$27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Jaco?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada or Jaco?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Granada or Jaco in the Summer?
Both Jaco and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets less rain in July than Jaco. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.
Granada is around the same temperature as Jaco in the summer. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGranada 27°C (81°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Granada or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season. Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Granada gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Jaco. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Granada usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Granada is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Granada in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGranada 27°C (81°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Granada or Jaco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Jaco. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
Granada usually gets less rain in January than Jaco. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the winter, Granada often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGranada 26°C (79°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Granada or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Jaco is November to May. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October. In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Jaco. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Granada is around the same temperature as Jaco in the spring. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGranada 29°C (84°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Granada
| Granada | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.