Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Mandeville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mandeville or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Jaco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Mandeville or Jaco?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
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.
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 dayMandeville $81Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $104. 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 Mandeville and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $38Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $76Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Jaco? 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.Mandeville $31Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $70
- 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/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $24Jaco $21
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.Mandeville $8.31Jaco $60
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.51Jaco $32
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 Mandeville and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Jaco is in Central 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Jaco?
Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Jaco, 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 Mandeville or Jaco?
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 Mandeville or Jaco in the Summer?
Both Jaco and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. In July, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Jaco. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during summer. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Jaco in the Autumn?
Both Jaco and Mandeville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually gets less rain in October than Jaco. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the autumn, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Mandeville is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Jaco in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Jaco. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Jaco during winter. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Mandeville is around the same temperature as Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mandeville or Jaco in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Jaco. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
Mandeville usually gets more rain in April than Jaco. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the spring, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Mandeville is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.