A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Jaco vs. Tamarindo for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Jaco or Tamarindo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Tamarindo, 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 shopping, nightlife, and food. See Jaco travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a scenic, laid back, and chill town. Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Jaco and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jaco or Tamarindo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jaco. Although Jaco and Tamarindo are both popular with visitors, Jaco has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jaco is more popular for its nightlife and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Tamarindo is known for its museums and attractions, beaches, and impressive beauty. Jaco is more touristy than Tamarindo and is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. It is also home to Carara National Park. Tamarindo is popular for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles.

How is Jaco different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tamarindo is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

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 Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Jaco and Tamarindo both to be good destinations.

Jaco is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Tamarindo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is an amazing town to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Jaco has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Tamarindo has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Jaco has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

Tamarindo is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tamarindo. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

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 Tamarindo?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Jaco and Tamarindo.

Jaco has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Tamarindo is a great destination for shopping. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

Tamarindo is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

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 Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Tamarindo is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Tamarindo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Jaco is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Jaco or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco and Tamarindo are both superb 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 Tamarindo. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

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

Tamarindo 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.

Tamarindo has some public transit options. There are three public bus lines through town.

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

Is Jaco or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

Jaco and Tamarindo are superb 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.

Tamarindo is very walkable. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Jaco?

How long in Jaco or Tamarindo?

In either Jaco or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tamarindo than Jaco because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Jaco, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo.

One day in Jaco or Tamarindo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Jaco. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Tamarindo. 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 Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid back destination of Jaco. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Tamarindo is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Jaco or Tamarindo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Jaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Tamarindo. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Jaco or Tamarindo?

Jaco is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The chill town of Tamarindo offers shopping and nightlife. 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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo 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 Tamarindo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Jaco or Tamarindo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Jaco or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Tamarindo. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jaco usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Jaco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Jaco or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

Both Tamarindo and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Jaco is November to May. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October. The dry season in Tamarindo is December to May. The hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. It's quite rainy in Jaco. In October, Jaco usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Jaco usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during autumn. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Jaco or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Jaco usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jaco. In the winter, Jaco often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Jaco is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jaco in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Jaco or Tamarindo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco. December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo. In April, Jaco usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jaco usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 29°C (85°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Jaco