Which place is cheaper, Jaco or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio or Jaco?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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San Ignacio Prices
Belize PricesJaco Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $87Jaco $120
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $87, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $120. 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 San Ignacio and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Jaco $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Jaco $136
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- Belize: Airport to San Ignacio Town Transfer: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jacó Private Transfer to San Jose Airport 1 to 4 People: $205
- Jacó: Private Transfer to San Jose Airport: $205
- Jaco to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $197
- One-Way Private Transfer from Jaco to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $175
- Private Direct SJO ↔ Jaco Beach/Los Sueños Transfer Service: $70
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $215
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Jaco Beach Puntarenas: $63
- Shuttle & transfer rides to SJO Airport Costa Rica: $55
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and San Ignacio 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 daySan Ignacio $36Jaco $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Maya Fish Cooking Experience: $75
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$3.97
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$18
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Taco Bar Dinner$9.07
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.35
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Ice Cream$5.95
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.36
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Fruit Plate$2.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traveling Spoon Ceviche Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jaco: $87
- Traditional Costa Rican cooking class and meal with a modern twist: $136
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Ignacio $100Jaco $60
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour The Best of Belmopan Private Walking Tour: $185
- 3 in 1 Adventure Combo in San Ignacio: $275
- 5 Waterfall Adventure at Dreaming Giant Falls Belize: $145
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $145
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $140
- Actun Tunichil Muknal with Local Tour guide & Belizean Lunch: $145
- Adventure Sun Set Horse Ride: $90
- Barton Creek Tour: $146
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $95
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $135
- Caracol Maya Site, Rio Frio Cave & Rio On Pools with Belizean Tour guide & Lunch: $130
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$9.88
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.88
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Tortuga Island Tour$98
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Massage$45
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica : $27
- Carara National Park Tour: $31
- Crocodile Man Tour THE ORIGINAL: $35
- Cold Plunge Experience in Jaco: $35
- Monkey Tour from Playa Jaco : $40
- Jason Crocodile Tours: $40
- Jungle Crocodile Safari and Bird Watching Tour: $40
- Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Chocolate Experience Tour: $43
- Chocolate Experience in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $45
- Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included): $48
- Jaco Horse Tours: $60
- Jaco Beach: Pacific Aerial Tram at Rainforest Adventures: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Jaco $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 San Ignacio and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Jaco?
San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio or Jaco in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Jaco. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Jaco. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in July than Jaco. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Ignacio this time of the year. In the summer, San Ignacio often gets more sunshine than Jaco. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Ignacio in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Jaco 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Jaco in the Autumn?
Both Jaco and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Jaco is November to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jaco. It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In October, San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jaco. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Ignacio usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 26°C (80°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Jaco in the Winter?
Both Jaco and San Ignacio during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, San Ignacio often gets less sunshine than Jaco. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio is cooler than Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Jaco 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Jaco in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to May in Jaco is the dry season. June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season. In April, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Jaco. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jaco this time of the year. In San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Ignacio in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.