Which place is cheaper, Jaco or San Pedro La Laguna?
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 Pedro La Laguna or Jaco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Pedro La Laguna 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: San Pedro La Laguna or Jaco?
San Pedro La Laguna
Located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a beautiful volcanic lake ringed by small towns and villages that are highly frequented by backpackers. Panajachal is one of the best known of the towns, as well as the main entry point of the region, while others like San Pedro La Laguna are quieter and more off the beaten path. Lake Atitlan and its villages attract visitors for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and Mayan culture nearby.
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 Adventure Tours to Guatemala, The Best Eco Tours in Guatemala, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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San Pedro La Laguna Prices
Guatemala PricesJaco Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro La Laguna $45Jaco $133
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro La Laguna is $45, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $133. 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 Pedro La Laguna and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro La Laguna $8.37Jaco $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro La Laguna $17Jaco $150
Compare Hotels in San Pedro La Laguna and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna Hotel Prices and Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $13Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro La Laguna
Also for San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer from Panajachel Atitlan to Guatemala City: $50
- Private transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $75
- Private Van Transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $180
- Private Transfer from Panajachel to Guatemala City Airport: $167
- Private Transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $130
- Private Transfer from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala Airport (GUA): $96
- Private Transfer Lake Atitlán to Antigua Guatemala (One Way): $74
- Private Group Transfer from Panajachel to Antigua Guatemala: $220
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Jaco to SJO airport or return to the Jaco area: $150
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Jaco Beach Puntarenas: $72
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Cobano Puntarenas: $63
- Private Transfer Los Sueños, Jaco & Playa Hermosa to SJO Airport: $74
- Private Transfer From Guacaste Airport to Jaco: $81
- One-Way Private Transfer from Jaco to Juan Santa Maria Airport: $175
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer: $194
- Jaco to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) - Departure Private Transfer: $137
- Jaco Beach / Los Suenos Marriott to Arenal Private Transfer: $290
- Jaco / Los Sueños Marriott Hotels to SJO Airport Private Transfer: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro La Laguna or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna $19Jaco $41
Typical Food Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lemonade$2.09
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Cake$1.31
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Ice cream$0.39
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Hot Cocoa & Banana Bread$3.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience: $60
- Maya Cooking Class in Santa Cruz la Laguna: $66
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$4.40
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$20
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Taco Bar Dinner$10
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$7.04
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Ice Cream$6.60
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.73
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Fruit Plate$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jaco: $99
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro La Laguna $22Jaco $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Pedro La Laguna
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro La Laguna's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Canopy Tour (for 2)$39
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Kayaking (for 2)$1.96
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Coffee Tour (for 2)$7.07
Tours and Activities in San Pedro La Laguna
For San Pedro La Laguna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Hour Private Birdwatching Experience in San Juan La Laguna: $50
- Authentic local experience with a community of women: $85
- Authentic tour of Mayan art and culture in Lake Atitlan: $50
- Beading Class and tour a Non-profit vocational training center a Fun cultural sharing experience: $28
- Bicycle Tour Around Lake Atitlan with Weaving Coops and Coffee Plantations: $118
- Biking tour through the towns of Santa Catarina and San Antonio: $46
- Chichicastenango Market Day Tour from Panajachel: $120
- Coffee Walk Tour in San Juan La Laguna: $35
- Coffee, Chocolate and Textile Tour in Lake Atitlan: $35
- Day of the Dead Giant Kite Festival Cultural Experience: $45
- From Panajachel Canoe Adventure and Tul Route in Atitlan: $125
- Full Day Tour to Chichicastenango from Panajachel: $160
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$11
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Surf Lesson$55
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Bike Rental$11
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Tortuga Island Tour$109
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Massage$49
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour ATV Off-Road Jungle Adventure Jaco: $85
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach: $99
- 3-Hour Private Guided Experience of 7 Course Contemporary Indian Tasting Menu: $225
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $129
- 5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour: $160
- 8 Hour Experience in Corcovado National Park: $200
- ATV Adventure + Horseback Riding and Natural Swimming Pool: $140
- ATV River, Beach, Jungle Adventure and Crocodiles Hotspot from San Jose: $78
- ATV adventure 2hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $89
- ATV adventure 3hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $115
- Adventure Shore Excursion Day Trip from Puntarenas and Caldera: $162
- Adventure in Los Chocuacos with all inclusive.: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro La Laguna $5.68Jaco $36
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$16
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Night at the Bar$30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro La Laguna and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro La Laguna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Pedro La Laguna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro La Laguna 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 Pedro La Laguna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro La Laguna Expensive? and Is Jaco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro La Laguna or Jaco?
San Pedro La Laguna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro La Laguna 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.
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.