Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Jaco, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Jaco?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla de Ometepe $34Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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: Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla de Ometepe $11Jaco -
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
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
- Arrival Transfer Barcelo Tambor to Juan Santamaria Airport SJO : $82
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Isla de Ometepe 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $13Jaco $21
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.Isla de Ometepe $13Jaco $60
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
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 Crocodile Safari and Bird Watching Tour: $35
- Crocodile Man Tour THE ORIGINAL: $40
- Jason Crocodile Tours: $40
- Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Chocolate Experience Tour: $43
- Horseback Riding Pacific Experience in Tarcoles Garabito: $47
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- From Canopy Tour in Hacienda Nosavar: $50
- Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included): $50
- Jaco Horse Tours: $60
- Chocolate Experience: $62
- Jaco Horseback Riding Adventure Tours: $64
- 2-hour Adventure Canopy and High Ropes Course: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla de Ometepe $8.85Jaco $32
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 Isla de Ometepe and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe or Jaco in the Summer?
Both Jaco and Isla de Ometepe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in July than Jaco. Isla de Ometepe 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, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Jaco. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Jaco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Jaco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Jaco. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than Jaco. Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe this time of the year. In the winter, Isla de Ometepe often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Jaco. Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. Isla de Ometepe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 29°C (84°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | Jaco | |||
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| 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.