Which place is cheaper, Pucon or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Pucon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Pucon, 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 Pucon?
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.
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104Pucon $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Pucon is $100. 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 Pucon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Pucon $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Pucon $86
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Pucon
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Pucon? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -Pucon $19
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 Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Pucon?
Prices for flights to both Pucon 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 $21Pucon $38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60Pucon $37
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 Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Pucon $27
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 comparing the travel costs between Jaco and Pucon, we can see that Jaco 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 Pucon is in South 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 Pucon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Pucon?
Pucon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Pucon, 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 Pucon?
Pucon 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 Pucon in the Summer?
Both Pucon 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.
In the summer, Jaco is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jaco in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Pucon averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.
In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Jaco often gets less sunshine than Puconin January. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually gets more rain in July than Puconin January. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryJaco 28°C (82°F)Pucon 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Pucon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Pucon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
In October, Jaco is generally much warmer than Puconin April. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 27°C (81°F), and Pucon fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Jaco usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during autumn. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Jaco usually receives more rain than Puconin April. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilJaco 27°C (81°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Pucon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Pucon. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco is much warmer than Pucon in the winter. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Pucon fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In the winter, Jaco often gets more sunshine than Puconin July. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pucon receives 66 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. Jaco usually gets less rain in January than Puconin July. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyJaco 27°C (81°F)Pucon 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Pucon in the Spring?
Both Pucon and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
In the spring, Jaco is much warmer than Pucon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jaco in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Pucon averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives more sunshine than Pucon during spring. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Pucon receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. In April, Jaco usually receives less rain than Puconin October. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Pucon receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberJaco 29°C (85°F)Pucon 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Pucon and Jaco
| Jaco | Pucon | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.