A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jaco vs. Key Largo for Nightlife, Families, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Backpackers

Should you visit Jaco or Key Largo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Key Largo, 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.

Jaco

Jaco is a touristy, laid back, and popular town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

Jaco and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jaco or Key Largo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jaco. Although Jaco and Key Largo are popular destinations, Jaco has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jaco is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Jaco is more touristy than Key Largo and is known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. It is also well known for Carara National Park. Key Largo is famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is Jaco different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jaco or Key Largo?

Jaco is mediocre for its historical sights. However, Key Largo 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Jaco or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jaco is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jaco is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

The nightlife in Jaco is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Jaco is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo 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 Key Largo to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

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 Jaco or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Both Jaco and Key Largo have nice beaches worth visiting.

Jaco has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Key Largo. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Jaco or Key Largo?

Jaco is a town with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Jaco has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Jaco or Key Largo Better for Couples?

Jaco and Key Largo are both nice to visit as a couple.

Jaco is a good town for couples to visit. 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Jaco. 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Jaco or Key Largo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jaco is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination 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 Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Jaco or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Jaco is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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.

Key Largo is not a walkable town. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Jaco Worth Visiting? and Is Key Largo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Jaco?

How long in Jaco or Key Largo?

Both Jaco and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Jaco. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Jaco, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Jaco than Key Largo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Jaco that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Key Largo 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 Jaco or Key Largo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Jaco. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Key Largo. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Jaco or Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the popular destination of Jaco. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Jaco or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Jaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly destination of Key Largo. This island offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Jaco or Key Largo?

Jaco is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly island of Key Largo. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Key Largo is in North 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 Jaco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jaco 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in Jaco.

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

Which is Bigger, Jaco or Key Largo?

Key Largo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

Key Largo has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Jaco experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Jaco or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Key Largo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Also, many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Jaco is around the same temperature as Key Largo in the summer. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Key Largo fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during summer. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jaco usually receives more rain than Key Largo. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jaco or Key Largo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Key Largo. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Jaco is around the same temperature as Key Largo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jaco in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. In the autumn, Jaco often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Jaco usually gets more rain in October than Key Largo. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Jaco is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Should I visit Jaco or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months.

In January, Jaco is generally a little warmer than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 27°C (81°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives more sunshine than Key Largo during winter. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jaco usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jaco or Key Largo in the Spring?

Both Key Largo and Jaco during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches.

Jaco is a little warmer than Key Largo in the spring. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jaco. In the spring, Jaco often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun.

Jaco usually gets less rain in April than Key Largo. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Jaco. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Jaco