Which place is cheaper, Huaraz or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Huaraz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Huaraz, 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 Huaraz?
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.
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104Huaraz $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Huaraz is $50. 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 Huaraz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Huaraz $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Huaraz $40
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Huaraz
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Huaraz? 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 Huaraz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -Huaraz $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- 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 FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Huaraz?
Prices for flights to both Huaraz 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 $21Huaraz $18
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
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60Huaraz $19
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
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- Jaco Horse Tours: $60
- Chocolate Experience: $62
- Jaco Horseback Riding Adventure Tours: $64
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-day tour to Parón, Llanganuco and Laguna 69 from Huaraz: $150
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Ancash: Adventure and Climbing to Mountain Alpamayo |6D-5N|: $3,303
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Ancash: Trek and Adventure to Quillcayhuanca |3Days-2Nights|: $410
- From Ancash: Fantastic tour Huaraz/Nevado Pastoruri |4D-3N|: $192
- From Ancash: Huaraz Adventure with meals |3Days-2Nights|: $142
- From Ancash: Tour Huaraz with Puya Raymondi |4Days-3Nights|: $197
- From Ancash: Tour fantastic in Huaraz |2Days-1Night|: $92
- From Ancash: Tour in Huaraz with tickets and Hotel |5D-4N|: $250
- From Huaraz | Live an adventure between mountains and lakes: $214
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Huaraz $15
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 Huaraz, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaco Expensive? and Is Huaraz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Huaraz?
Huaraz has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Huaraz, 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 Jaco or Huaraz?
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 Jaco or Huaraz in the Summer?
Both Huaraz and Jaco during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually gets more rain in July than Huaraz. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The weather in Huaraz can be very cold. In the summer, Jaco is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jaco in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Huaraz averages at about 3°C (37°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJaco 28°C (82°F)Huaraz 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Huaraz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Huaraz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Jaco usually receives more rain than Huaraz. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the autumn. In October, Jaco is generally much warmer than Huaraz. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 27°C (81°F), and Huaraz fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJaco 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Huaraz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Huaraz. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Huaraz. Jaco usually gets less rain in January than Huaraz. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Jaco is much warmer than Huaraz in the winter. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Huaraz fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJaco 27°C (81°F)Huaraz 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Huaraz in the Spring?
Both Huaraz and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Jaco usually receives less rain than Huaraz. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Huaraz receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Jaco is much warmer than Huaraz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jaco in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Huaraz averages at about 6°C (43°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJaco 29°C (85°F)Huaraz 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Huaraz and Jaco
| Jaco | Huaraz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.