Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Jaco, 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: Nassau or Jaco?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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 dayNassau $189Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, 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 Nassau and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Jaco -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Transfer Service in Nassau Bahamas: $68
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to NAS Airport - Departure: $34
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from NAS Airport - Arrival: $34
- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $300
- Round trip Airport Private Transfer (Nassau Limousine): $160
- Round Trip Private Airport To Hotel Transfer in Nassau: $140
- Private Transfer in Nassau: $45
- Private Transfer from Nassau International Airport to Nassau City : $150
- Private Transfer from Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Hotel or Cruise Port : $124
- Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport Nassau, Bahamas: $150
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer to Cable Beach: $143
- Private Roundtrip Sedan Airport Transfer : $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53Jaco $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Savor Old Nassau Dining Stroll by Tru Bahamian Food Tours: $116
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
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.Nassau $37Jaco $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- Bahamas Adventure: Pigs, Reef, Turtles, and Beach with Lunch: $299
- 3 Hour Eco-Glide Adventure in Nassau: $99
- 3 Hour Island Tour: Swimming with Pigs, Turtles, and Snorkeling: $250
- ATV Half Day City Tour in Guided Tour With Free Samples: $259
- ATV Island Tour with Beach Break, Lunch, and Pick-up/Drop-off: $199
- ATV tours by RSR: $230
- Archie's Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack and Spanish Friendly: $7.00
- Atlantis Bridge Speed Boat Adventure: $100
- Atlantis Speed Boat Tours: $69
- Bahama Bonanza Cultural Tour: $80
- Bahamas Cabbage Beach Parasailing Adventure: $100
- Bahamas Culture Tour from Nassau Including Rum Cake: $80
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 Crocodile Safari and Bird Watching Tour: $35
- Crocodile Man Tour THE ORIGINAL: $40
- Jason Crocodile Tours: $40
- Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Chocolate Experience Tour: $43
- Horseback Riding Pacific Experience in Tarcoles Garabito: $47
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $50
- From Canopy Tour in Hacienda Nosavar: $50
- Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included): $50
- "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
- Jaco Horse Tours: $60
- Chocolate Experience: $62
- Jaco Horseback Riding Adventure Tours: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19Jaco $32
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Nassau Rum Distillery Tour: $25
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
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 Nassau and Jaco, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Jaco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau 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 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau 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 Nassau Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Jaco?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau or Jaco?
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 Nassau or Jaco in the Summer?
Both Jaco and Nassau during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau 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 Nassau. Nassau usually gets less rain in July than Jaco. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the summer, Nassau often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Nassau is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Jaco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nassau usually receives less rain than Jaco. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Nassau is around the same temperature as Jaco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Jaco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Jaco. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
Nassau usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 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 Nassau this time of the year. In the winter, Nassau often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Nassau is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nassau in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Nassau or Jaco in the Spring?
Both Jaco and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Nassau usually receives more rain than Jaco. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during spring. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Nassau is generally cooler than Jaco. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 23°C (74°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Nassau
| Nassau | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.