Which place is cheaper, Vieques Island or Jaco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jaco or Vieques Island?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jaco or Vieques Island, 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 Vieques Island?
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.
Vieques Island
Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!
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 $104Vieques Island $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Jaco is $104, while the average daily cost in Vieques Island is $170. 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 Vieques Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJaco $67Vieques Island $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJaco $134Vieques Island $184
Compare Hotels in Jaco and Vieques Island
Looking for a hotel in Jaco or Vieques Island? 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 -Vieques Island $30
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 Vieques Island
Also for Vieques Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Jaco or Vieques Island?
Prices for flights to both Vieques Island 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 $21Vieques Island $54
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 $60Vieques Island $34
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 Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- 1-Hour Bioluminescent Boat Tour in Mosquito Bay, Vieques : $128
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
- Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
- Culebra Island Snorkel with Turtles Adventure - Ferry Tickets Included: $135
- El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
- Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
- Full-Day Snorkeling Tour to Culebra Island with Lunch: $139
- Half Day Adventure Private Tour in El Yunque Rainforest: $234
- Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125
- Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
- Mosquito Bay Kayak Experience in Vieques: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJaco $32Vieques Island $30
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jaco and Vieques Island, we can see that Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jaco or Vieques Island?
Vieques Island has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Jaco and Vieques Island, 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 Vieques Island?
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 Vieques Island in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jaco and Vieques Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round. Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island. Jaco gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vieques Island this time of the year. Jaco usually receives less sunshine than Vieques Island during summer. Jaco gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 28°C (82°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJaco 28°C (82°F)Vieques Island 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Vieques Island in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Jaco as well as Vieques Island. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vieques Island. Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Jaco usually gets more rain in October than Vieques Island. Jaco gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vieques Island. In the autumn, Jaco often gets less sunshine than Vieques Island. Jaco gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 235 hours of full sun.
Jaco is around the same temperature as Vieques Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jaco averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Vieques Island fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJaco 27°C (81°F)Vieques Island 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Vieques Island in the Winter?
Both Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Jaco usually receives less rain than Vieques Island. Jaco gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. Jaco usually receives more sunshine than Vieques Island during winter. Jaco gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Vieques Island receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Jaco is around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jaco in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Vieques Island averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJaco 27°C (81°F)Vieques Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Jaco or Vieques Island in the Spring?
Both Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island year-round.
Jaco usually gets less rain in April than Vieques Island. Jaco gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vieques Island receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Vieques Island, 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 Vieques Island. Jaco gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vieques Island receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Jaco is generally around the same temperature as Vieques Island. Daily temperatures in Jaco average around 29°C (85°F), and Vieques Island fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJaco 29°C (85°F)Vieques Island 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Vieques Island and Jaco
| Jaco | Vieques Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.