Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or San Juan, 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 San Juan?
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.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Jaco and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or San Juan? 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 San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $270
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $270
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 $21San Juan $36
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 San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Private Local Food Tour in San Juan: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60San Juan $49
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 & River ATV Adventure, 2 hours / Jacó: $95
- Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $71
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $75
- 2 Hour Private Ranch Experience in Quebrada Amarilla: $120
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- 2 hour ATV Tour & Waterfalls + Chocolate Experience : $110
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach : $99
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $110
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $95
- 4×4 Waterfalls and Jungle Experience: $80
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- El Yunque National RainForest: Tour with Nature walk: $75
- El Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32San Juan $12
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
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and San Juan, we can see that San Juan 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 San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan 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 San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and San Juan, 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 San Juan?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Jaco or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jaco usually receives more rain than San Juan. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Jaco is around the same temperature as San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jaco in July average around 28°C (82°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJaco 28°C (82°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Jaco or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Jaco as well as San Juan. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in San Juan. Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Jaco usually gets more rain in October than San Juan. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Jaco often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
In October, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJaco 27°C (81°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Jaco or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Jaco usually receives less rain than San Juan. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during winter. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Jaco is around the same temperature as San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJaco 27°C (81°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Jaco or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Jaco usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jaco. In the spring, Jaco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Jaco is a little warmer than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jaco in April average around 29°C (85°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJaco 29°C (85°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Jaco
| Jaco | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.