A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ilha Grande vs. Jaco for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Ilha Grande or Jaco?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ilha Grande or Jaco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Ilha Grande travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a popular, touristy, and laid back town. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Jaco travel costs.

Ilha Grande and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jaco. Although Ilha Grande and Jaco are both popular with visitors, Jaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jaco is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Ilha Grande is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and impressive beauty. Jaco is more touristy than Ilha Grande and is known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. It is also home to Carara National Park. Ilha Grande is popular for

How is Ilha Grande different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

Jaco is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Jaco. Most people spend their time outside or partying while they're in town.

Ilha Grande does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Ilha Grande or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Ilha Grande and Jaco offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Ilha Grande has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The island still has a quiet, local vibe and that can be seen in the restaurants around town as well. Many places are locally owned and serve up traditional dishes. In particular, the seafood is excellent.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Jaco area. 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 Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

Jaco is a world class 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Ilha Grande. It's a quiet island with a national park and most people visit specifically to get away from the busy and active city scene.

Is Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Ilha Grande is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Many visitors go to Ilha Grande to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are several places where you can rent snorkeling or dive equipment. The area has coral and tropical fish, with the occasional sea turtle sighting. The visibility is generally good and the experience is worth enjoying, but make sure you check on water conditions.

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.

Is Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Jaco is a popular place for the beach. However, Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Jaco is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Ilha Grande is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

Jaco is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Jaco. 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.

Ilha Grande is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Ilha Grande or Jaco More Beautiful?

Ilha Grande is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ilha Grande offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The secluded beaches and surrounding nature make this a beautiful island to explore. It's made up of a national park and there are hiking trails and many scenic spots.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Ilha Grande or Jaco.

Ilha Grande is a family-friendly . Most families who visit the island come for the beaches. There are also many nice hikes, waterfalls, and even wildlife that the kids will enjoy. In the village there are a few restaurants. Many aren't geared specifically to kids, but they do have a selection that kids might enjoy.

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 Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Couples?

Ilha Grande is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Ilha Grande makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Scenic beaches and beautiful nature make this a wonderful couples retreat that's not far from Rio de Janeiro. The beaches have a more relaxed and quiet vibe than many places in Brazil and the island still holds on to its undiscovered atmosphere.

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 Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ilha Grande and Jaco are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Ilha Grande. It is possible to reach the island with a backpacker's budget, but it will take you more time than if you hire a private tour. Once you're on the island there are some hostels and budget hotels to choose from as well.

Jaco is a very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. 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 Ilha Grande or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jaco is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Ilha Grande is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Ilha Grande. You'll need to take a boat to reach the island, and once you're there, there are not vehicles around.

Is Ilha Grande or Jaco a more walkable city?

Ilha Grande and Jaco are very good when it comes to walkability.

Ilha Grande is a very walkable . There are no cars on the island and very few roads. You'll spend a lot of time hiking around, which is the best way to enjoy the island. They don't call it "big island" for no reason though, so make sure you understand the distance between destinations.

Jaco is a very walkable destination. 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.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Ilha Grande?

How long in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Ilha Grande or Jaco. In our opinion, Jaco has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Jaco than Ilha Grande. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Ilha Grande, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Ilha Grande 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 Ilha Grande or Jaco?

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Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Ilha Grande. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the popular town of Jaco. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

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Ilha Grande is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the touristy destination of Jaco. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

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You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food around the destination of Ilha Grande. This offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The laid back town of Jaco offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Ilha Grande or Jaco?

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The of Ilha Grande offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Jaco. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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