A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Paphos vs. Jaco for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Paphos or Jaco?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Paphos 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.

Paphos

Paphos is a ancient, beautiful, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, Paphos attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Paphos travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a laid back, popular, and touristy town. It's also known for shopping, nightlife, and food. See Jaco travel costs.

Paphos and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Paphos or Jaco?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Paphos than Jaco, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Paphos is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Jaco is more popular for its nightlife. Jaco is more touristy than Paphos and is popular for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. Paphos is well known for its historical sights, rich culture, and beautiful churches. Also, Paphos is famous for Paphos Archaeological Park.

How is Paphos different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jaco and Paphos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Paphos or Jaco?

Paphos is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Paphos has many famous sights for visitors. The area is well known for its impressive archeological ruins, many of which are found at Paphos Archaeological Site. Other impressive sights include the Tombs of the Kings, the Chrysopolitissa Basilica & St. Paul's Pillar, Agia Paraskevi, and Paphos Fort.

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 Paphos or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Paphos is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Paphos is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food is a huge part of the culture and family life in the area. The cuisine is influenced by the surrounding areas and you'll see similarities to Greek, Turkish, and Middle Eastern cuisines. Popular dishes include koupepia (vine leaves stuffed with a filling called gemista), souvlaki (a meat and salad filled pita), and makaronia tou fournou (a pasta dish made with halloumi and béchamel sauce).

Jaco offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Paphos or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is renowned for nightlife. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Jaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Paphos has a few options to choose from. Most people think of history, culture, beaches, and wine, but the city also has its share of clubs and bars. It's not the party-hard beach destination that you'll find at some Mediterranean tourist areas, but there are still plenty of bars and clubs with atmosphere and style. Head to Agiou Antoniou Street for the most action.

Is Paphos or Jaco Better for Resorts?

Paphos is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jaco is not a resort destination.

Paphos offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area is filled with all types of resorts. There are many all-inclusive resorts that cater to families, honeymooners, or luxury vacationers. If you want to experience more of the local culture, there are also smaller boutique hotels or local apartments available.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Paphos or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find notable snorkeling or scuba diving in both Paphos and Jaco.

Paphos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and dive spots that aren't far away. You'll also find a number of scuba or snorkeling excursions that you can join. The water conditions for snorkeling and diving are best during the summer months.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Jaco. 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.

Is Paphos or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Paphos is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Paphos are among the best in the world. Many people head to the area specifically for the beaches. This region has the longest coastline of any region in Cyprus, but keep in mind that some of the best beaches are found outside of the main tourist areas. However, they most are usually accessible by city bus with many remote stretches found along the Akamas Peninsula. Within town the beaches are often rocky and pebbly.

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 Paphos or Jaco Better for its Old Town?

Paphos is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Jaco does not have a historic old town.

Paphos has an old town worth visiting. The old town is a pleasant area to walk around with a number of interesting buildings. The area was revitalized in 2017 and there are many historical sites. It's also fun to go shopping at Kennedy Square and Makariou Avenue.

Jaco does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Paphos or Jaco?

Paphos is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Paphos. There are outdoor markets, major shopping streets, and international fashion brands. You can pick up local souvenirs or beach gear that you may have forgotten.

Jaco is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Is Paphos or Jaco More Beautiful?

Paphos is a very popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Paphos attracts visitors from all around. The area is known for its world-renowned archeological ruins, stunning beaches, and beautiful outdoor setting.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Paphos or Jaco Better for Families?

Paphos 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 Paphos. There are plenty of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Head to the beach or take a walk along the coastline. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to the zoo, bird park, or aquarium and young thrill seekers will enjoy a day at the Aqua-park of Aphrodite. And, of course, there's also the ruins that kids can have fun exploring.

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 Paphos or Jaco Better for Couples?

Paphos is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Paphos has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Honeymooners who enjoy history, nature, beaches, and culture will find it all in the area. There are stunning beaches where you can relax in the sun, world renowned archeological ruins where you can immerse yourself in a historical world, and beautiful views around every corner. There are also excellent restaurants and wine tasting opportunities that will make for a memorable trip.

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 Paphos or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Paphos and Jaco are superb places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Paphos. The area is generally accessible with a few good hostels and budget accommodation options sprinkled about. There are great beaches and restaurants as well as plenty of beautiful places to enjoy a walk.

Many 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.

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

Paphos is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Paphos. It's possible to get around by city bus to most places. Buses connect many touristy areas such as Kato Paphos, Tombs of the Kings, Chloraka, Kissonerga, Coral Bay and Paphos Center.

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

Is Paphos or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Paphos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Jaco is very walkable. 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.

Paphos is a somewhat walkable place. The main tourist area is Kato Paphos which is small, compact and easy to walk around, but if you want to head to areas further away then you likely won't be able to travel on foot. It's important to understand where your hotel is located if you're planning to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Paphos?

How long in Paphos or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Paphos or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Paphos due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Paphos, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

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

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

One day in Paphos or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Paphos. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jaco. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Paphos or Jaco?

Paphos is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

Jaco is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Paphos or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the overlooked destination of Paphos. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Paphos or Jaco?

The cultural town of Paphos offers shopping and museums. 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.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the touristy destination of Jaco. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Cyprus, The Best Tours for Seniors to Cyprus, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

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

Which is Bigger, Paphos or Jaco?

Paphos has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Paphos 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 Paphos or Jaco?

Paphos 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 Paphos or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paphos as well as Jaco. The summer months attract visitors to Paphos because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

In July, Paphos is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 27°C (80°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paphos this time of the year. In the summer, Paphos often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Paphos gets 388 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. Paphos usually gets less rain in July than Jaco. Paphos gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Jaco in the Autumn?

Both Jaco and Paphos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paphos this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Paphos is cooler than Jaco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Paphos averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Paphos. Paphos usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. In October, Paphos usually receives less rain than Jaco. Paphos gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Should I visit Paphos or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Paphos during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paphos for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In the winter, Paphos is much colder than Jaco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Paphos in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).

In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Paphos often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Paphos gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.

Paphos usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. Paphos gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Paphos or Jaco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paphos and Jaco. Many visitors come to Paphos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Paphos is generally much colder than Jaco. Daily temperatures in Paphos average around 17°C (62°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In Paphos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Paphos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Paphos gets 270 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Paphos usually receives less rain than Jaco. Paphos gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Paphos