A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Playa del Carmen vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

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

Should I visit Playa del Carmen 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.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a stunning, vibrant, and picture-perfect town. With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Playa del Carmen travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a touristy, laid back, and popular town. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. See Jaco travel costs.

Playa del Carmen and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Playa del Carmen. Although Playa del Carmen and Jaco are popular destinations, Playa del Carmen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Playa del Carmen is famous for its coral reefs, luxury resorts, and white sand beaches. It is also well known for La Quinta Avenida. Jaco is famous for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches.

How is Playa del Carmen different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Playa del Carmen is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Playa del Carmen specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. If you're willing to head out of town, there are world class Mayan ruins not far away, but if you want to hang out near town, then you'll likely spend most of your time enjoying outdoor water activities.

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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Playa del Carmen and Jaco can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Playa del Carmen area. You'll find a good number of overpriced tourist restaurants in the area, but if you do some research you'll also find amazing and authentic Mexican food as well. There is everything from food trucks to fine dining that offer ceviche, tacos, or burritos. There are also plenty of places to grab pizza or burgers.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Jaco. 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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Playa del Carmen or Jaco has a better nightlife scene.

Playa del Carmen has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It rivals some of the country's best nightlife and you'll find plenty of venues to choose from, ranging from dive bars to swanky cocktail lounges. Head to the main walking street for some of the most active venues.

Jaco is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Is Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Resorts?

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

Playa del Carmen offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find a huge number of luxury resorts in the area, particularly along the beach. There are fancy pools and beachfront properties that offer the perfect vacation retreat.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Playa del Carmen specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There's not a lot to see right off of the beach, but there are plenty of snorkeling excursions in the area that take you to beautiful reefs. The diving is world class as well and you'll find wonderful reefs, bull sharks, and hidden gems.

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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen are among the best in the world. The area is filled with world class beaches, long stretches of white sand, and beautiful blue water. You might even stumble across a sea turtle or two while you're swimming.

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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Hiking?

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Playa del Carmen has hiking trails worth exploring. There are well marked trails in the area that get you out in nature or take you along the coastline.

Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Jaco and Playa del Carmen.

Many visitors go to Playa del Carmen to go shopping. Much of the shopping is geared towards the tourists, but you'll find some local items, interesting galleries, and colorful markets to explore.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Jaco. 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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Playa del Carmen attracts visitors from all around. From beautiful beaches to inland jungles, this is a truly stunning destination.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Families?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Playa del Carmen is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. From eco parks to kid-friendly snorkeling opportunities, there are many activities for kids of all ages. There are also adventure parks and playgrounds that are perfect for a fun afternoon.

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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Couples?

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

Playa del Carmen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches and tropical jungles make this a paradise honeymoon destination. You'll find luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless opportunities to enjoy the stunning setting. Take a sunset cruise of explore one of the many natural wonders in the area.

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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Playa del Carmen is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Jaco is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Playa del Carmen is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's filled with tourists staying at luxury resorts, but you'll also find a couple of hostels tucked away in town. If you're interesting in scuba diving, then it's well worth the trip.

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

Playa del Carmen is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Playa del Carmen has some public transit options. There are local buses, collectivos and the ADO bus.

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

Is Playa del Carmen or Jaco a more walkable city?

Playa del Carmen is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Playa del Carmen. It's a compact and very walkable town. La Quinta is the main strip and it's pedestrian-only.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Playa del Carmen Worth Visiting? and Is Jaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Playa del Carmen?

How long in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Playa del Carmen or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Playa del Carmen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Playa del Carmen, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.

One day in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Playa del Carmen. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the popular destination of Jaco. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Playa del Carmen 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.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the laid back town of Jaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Playa del Carmen. 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.

Jaco is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the picture-perfect town of Playa del Carmen. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Jaco is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, 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 Playa del Carmen and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North America 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Playa del Carmen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco?

Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Jaco. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Jaco in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the summer, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Jaco in the Autumn?

Both Jaco and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa del Carmen in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Playa del Carmen gets 233 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. It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In October, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Playa del Carmen during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In January, Playa del Carmen is generally cooler than Jaco. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 23°C (73°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the winter, Playa del Carmen often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.

Playa del Carmen usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Jaco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Jaco. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Jaco in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Jaco. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Playa del Carmen