Which place is cheaper, Cali or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Cali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Cali, 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: Jaco or Cali?
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.
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bogota, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104Cali $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Cali is $25. 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 Jaco and Cali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Cali $6.16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Cali $12
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Cali
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Cali? 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 and Cali Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -Cali $5.76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
- 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/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City- Cali Airport (CLO): $25
- Transfer in Private Car from Cali Airport (CLO) -Cali City: $22
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $51
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $17
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
- Departure Private Transfer from Cali City to Cali Airport CLO by Minibus: $171
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $113
- City Highlights Private Bus Tour with Transfer: $147
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $18
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Cali to Popayan Private Transfer: $272
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Cali?
Prices for flights to both Cali and Jaco 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 dayJaco $21Cali $8.77
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
- Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60Cali $11
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
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4 Hours Private River Tour to Pance Cali Colombia : $60
- A day to enjoy nature and have an adventure in the Jordan river: $65
- Cali ATV tours - Take your adrenaline to the maximum on the road: $159
- Cali Bike Park Tour: $95
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Cali City Tour - The Best Of Cali In Comfort: $53
- Cali City Tour by 3 Hours (transportation + guide): $178
- Cali City Tour by 5 Hours (transportation + guide): $245
- Cali City Tour by 8 Hours (transportation + guide): $366
- Cali Downtown Walking Tour: $55
- Cali Mountain Bike Tour: $95
- Cali Salsa Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Cali $8.68
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 Jaco and Cali, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Cali is in South 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 Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaco Expensive? and Is Cali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Cali?
Cali has a larger population, and is about 590 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Cali, 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.