Which place is cheaper, Mazatlan or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Mazatlan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
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.
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city has a population of almost 500,000, making it the second largest city in the state. It is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful beaches and resort hotels. Most people head to Mazatlan specifically for its beaches, but the city itself is somewhat large and diverse with many different cultures and ethnicities represented. Many foreigners come here not only to vacation, but also to retire. You'll meet people from all over Europe, as well as Canada and the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Mexico, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104Mazatlan $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Mazatlan is $79. 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 Mazatlan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Mazatlan $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Mazatlan $66
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Mazatlan
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Mazatlan? 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 Mazatlan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -Mazatlan $21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mazatlan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mazatlan:
- Round transfer airport to hotel in Mazatlán: $49
- Private roundtrip airport to hotel transfer in Mazatlan: $260
- Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $119
- Mazatlan Intl Airport (MZT): Private Transfer to Mazatlan: $296
- Mazatlan Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Mazatlan hotels: $236
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Mazatlan?
Prices for flights to both Mazatlan 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 $21Mazatlan $34
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 Mazatlan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mazatlan.
- Mercado walking food tour: $78
- Mazatlan routes of taste food tour: $84
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan: $84
- Tacos, Beer and Mezcal Food Tour in Mazatlan: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60Mazatlan $9.59
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
Tours and Activities in Mazatlan
Here are a few actual costs in Mazatlan for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Barrio Bites tour: $78
- Beach Activities and All Inclusive Tour: $58
- BeachBlast ATV's & City Tour: $99
- Bird Watching Mazatlán - Birding Tour: $115
- City Tour with Tequila Tasting & Beach Hotel Day Pass Included : $49
- From Zipline & ATV Adventure with Tequila Tasting: $210
- Half-Day Tour to Tequila Factory and Villages from Mazatlan: $75
- Half-Day Ziplining Experience from Mazatlán: $110
- Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting: $120
- Mazatlán: Beach & Jungle ATV Tour w/ Lunch & Tequila Tasting: $126
- Mazatlán: Tequila Factory & Country Sightseeing: $103
- Mazatlán: Zipline Adventure, Sightseeing & Mezcal Tasting: $128
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Mazatlan $18
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 Mazatlan, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Mazatlan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaco Expensive? and Is Mazatlan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Mazatlan?
Mazatlan has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Mazatlan, 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 Mazatlan?
Mazatlan 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 Mazatlan in the Summer?
Both Mazatlan 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. Also, most visitors come to Mazatlan for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 28°C (82°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Mazatlan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Jaco often gets less sunshine than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 216 hours of full sun.
Mazatlan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually gets less rain in July than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJaco 28°C (82°F)Mazatlan 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Mazatlan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Mazatlan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mazatlan because of the shopping scene.
Jaco is around the same temperature as Mazatlan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Mazatlan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mazatlan this time of the year. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than Mazatlan during autumn. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Jaco usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJaco 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Mazatlan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Mazatlan. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mazatlan this time of year.
In the winter, Jaco is a little warmer than Mazatlan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jaco in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Mazatlan averages at about 20°C (67°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mazatlan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In the winter, Jaco often gets more sunshine than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mazatlan receives 203 hours of full sun.
Jaco usually gets less rain in January than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJaco 27°C (81°F)Mazatlan 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Mazatlan in the Spring?
Both Mazatlan and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Mazatlan for the beaches.
In April, Jaco is generally a little warmer than Mazatlan. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 29°C (85°F), and Mazatlan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Mazatlan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mazatlan during spring. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Mazatlan receives 250 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Jaco usually receives more rain than Mazatlan. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mazatlan receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJaco 29°C (85°F)Mazatlan 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Mazatlan and Jaco
| Jaco | Mazatlan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 227 mm (8.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 18 mm (0.7 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.