A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jaco vs. La Paz for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Jaco or La Paz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or La Paz, 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 popular, touristy, and laid back town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

La Paz

La Paz is a authentic, cultural, and beautiful city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See La Paz travel costs.

Jaco and La Paz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jaco or La Paz?

Tourists will generally find more to do in La Paz. Although Jaco and La Paz are both popular with visitors, La Paz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. La Paz is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Jaco is known for its nightlife. Jaco is more touristy than La Paz and is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. La Paz is popular for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. It is also home to Balandra Beach.

How is Jaco different from La Paz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between La Paz 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 La Paz?

La Paz is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Paz can be an interesting and educational experience. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

Jaco offers a few options for museum-goers. Most people spend their time outside or partying while they're in town.

Is the Food Better in Jaco or La Paz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Paz is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

La Paz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Jaco offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Jaco or La Paz Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Jaco just to party. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is Jaco or La Paz Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jaco is not a resort destination.

La Paz has a few great resort options. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Jaco or La Paz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz 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 La Paz to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

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 La Paz Better for Beaches?

La Paz is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in La Paz are among the best in the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Jaco. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Jaco or La Paz?

La Paz is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in La Paz. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Jaco is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Jaco or La Paz Better for Families?

La Paz is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in La Paz. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

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 La Paz Better for Couples?

Jaco and La Paz are both good 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.

La Paz is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is Jaco or La Paz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco and La Paz are both high quality destinations 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit La Paz. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

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

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

La Paz has some public transit options. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

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

Is Jaco or La Paz a more walkable city?

Jaco and La Paz are high quality when it comes to 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.

La Paz is very walkable. The city is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Jaco Worth Visiting? and Is La Paz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in La Paz or Jaco?

How long in Jaco or La Paz?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Jaco 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 La Paz.

One day in Jaco or La Paz?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jaco. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 La Paz?

Jaco is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

La Paz is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Five days in Jaco or La Paz?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the cultural destination of La Paz. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Jaco or La Paz?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Jaco. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The beautiful city of La Paz offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico.

When comparing the travel costs between Jaco and La Paz, we can see that La Paz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Jaco is in Central America and La Paz is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Jaco or La Paz?

La Paz has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and La Paz, 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 La Paz?

La Paz 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 La Paz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jaco as well as La Paz. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as La Paz. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 28°C (82°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. In the summer, Jaco often gets less sunshine than La Paz. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 287 hours of full sun.

Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jaco usually gets more rain in July than La Paz. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jaco or La Paz in the Autumn?

Both La Paz and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to La Paz in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Jaco is around the same temperature as La Paz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and La Paz fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during autumn. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 272 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. In October, Jaco usually receives more rain than La Paz. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Should I visit Jaco or La Paz in the Winter?

Both La Paz and Jaco during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to La Paz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Jaco is much warmer than La Paz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jaco in January average around 27°C (81°F), and La Paz averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jaco. In the winter, Jaco often gets more sunshine than La Paz. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while La Paz receives 200 hours of full sun.

Jaco usually gets less rain in January than La Paz. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jaco or La Paz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and La Paz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to La Paz because of the beaches.

In April, Jaco is generally a little warmer than La Paz. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 29°C (85°F), and La Paz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than La Paz during spring. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while La Paz receives 292 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jaco usually receives more rain than La Paz. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while La Paz receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Typical Weather for La Paz and Jaco