Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Ushuaia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
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.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJaco $104Ushuaia $11
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Ushuaia $5.64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Ushuaia
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jaco -Ushuaia -
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia
Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared One-way Airport Transfer: $10
- Escondido and Fagnano Lakes with transfer: $97
- Ushuaia to Ushuaia Airport (USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Ushuaia city to Ushuaia Airport(USH) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia city - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $46
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.48
- Ushuaia Airport Shared Transfer: $7.25
- Ushuaia Airport Departure Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport Arrival Transfer: $10
- Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $63
- Transfer from/to the airport: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Ushuaia?
Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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 $21Ushuaia $2.18
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
Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:
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Lunch for Two$0.06
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia
For Ushuaia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
- Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jaco $60Ushuaia $13
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
Tours and Activities in Ushuaia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ushuaia.
- 2-day tour: Tierra del Fuego National Park + Fagnano and Escondido Lakes: $115
- 2-day tour:Tierra del Fuego NP + Beagle Channel Navigation + Fagnano & Escondido: $190
- 3-Hour Navigation Tour in the Beagle Channel with Isla de Lobos: $75
- 3-Hour Tour Sailing through the Beagle Channel: $105
- 4×4 Off Road Tour to Escondido and Khami Lakes: $122
- 4-Hour National Park - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $75
- 4WD Off-Road Lakes Adventure in Tierra del Fuego: $156
- 5-Hour Nat Park + City tour - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $195
- 5.5-Hour National park w/ hiking Shore excursion - USHUAIA (Private Tour): $280
- 5hrs of Trekking Experience in Martial Glacier: $95
- 7-Hour Lakes Escondido & Fagnano - USHUAIA (Shared tour): $105
- Adventure 360º in Quads with Lunch: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Ushuaia -
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:
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Wine$0.05
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Beer$0.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and Ushuaia, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jaco is in Central America and Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jaco Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Ushuaia?
Ushuaia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Ushuaia, 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 Ushuaia?
Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
In the summer, Jaco is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jaco in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
Jaco usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ushuaia during summer. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jaco usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain January. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryJaco 28°C (82°F)Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Ushuaia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Ushuaia. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Jaco is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 27°C (81°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the autumn, Jaco often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain April. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Jaco usually gets more rain in October than Ushuaiain April. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilJaco 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Ushuaia in the Winter?
Both Ushuaia and Jaco are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Jaco is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during winter. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Jaco usually receives less rain than Ushuaiain July. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyJaco 27°C (81°F)Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Ushuaia in the Spring?
Both Ushuaia 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.
In the spring, Jaco is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jaco in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. In the spring, Jaco often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain October. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun.
Jaco usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Ushuaiain October. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberJaco 29°C (85°F)Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Jaco
| Jaco | Ushuaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.