Which place is cheaper, Medellin or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Medellin, 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 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.
In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Medellin is $23. 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 Medellin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Medellin? 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.
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:
Prices for flights to both Medellin 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.
For Jaco, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Medellin.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Jaco's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Jaco:
Also in Medellin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and Medellin, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Medellin 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaco Expensive? and Is Medellin Expensive?.
Medellin has a larger population, and is about 490 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Medellin, 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.