A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Santa Elena vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Backpackers, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Elena or Jaco?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santa Elena and Jaco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a outdoorsy, scenic, and tranquil town. Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a touristy, laid back, and popular town. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Jaco travel costs.

Santa Elena and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Elena or Jaco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jaco. Although Santa Elena and Jaco are popular destinations, Jaco has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jaco is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Santa Elena attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Jaco is more touristy than Santa Elena and is known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. It is also well known for Carara National Park. Santa Elena is famous for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Santa Elena different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Elena or Jaco?

Neither Santa Elena or Jaco offer quality museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Santa Elena. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

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 Santa Elena or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jaco is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jaco is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

Jaco is a world class party destination. 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.

Most people don't head to Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Jaco is a good destination for the beach. However, Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Jaco offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Elena or Jaco?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santa Elena and Jaco both offer plenty of nice spots.

Santa Elena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

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 Santa Elena or Jaco More Beautiful?

Santa Elena is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Families?

Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

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 Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Couples?

Santa Elena is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Santa Elena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

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 Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Santa Elena, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Santa Elena or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Elena 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.

Santa Elena has some public transit options. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

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

Is Santa Elena or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Jaco is a very walkable destination. 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.

Santa Elena is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

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

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Santa Elena?

How long in Santa Elena or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Santa Elena or Jaco. In our opinion, Santa Elena has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Santa Elena than Jaco. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Santa Elena, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena.

One day in Santa Elena or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Elena. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the touristy town of Jaco. Most people visit for the nightlife. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Santa Elena or Jaco?

Santa Elena is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laid back destination of Jaco. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Santa Elena or Jaco?

You'll find shopping around the scenic destination of Santa Elena. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The touristy town of Jaco offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santa Elena or Jaco?

The tranquil town of Santa Elena offers shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Jaco. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit 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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Santa Elena and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Jaco?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Santa Elena or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Jaco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Santa Elena or Jaco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Jaco. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. Also, November to May in Jaco is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Jaco is June to October. It's quite rainy in Jaco. Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Elena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena is February to May. In January, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or Jaco in the Spring?

Both Jaco and Santa Elena during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

February to May is the dry season in Santa Elena. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. November to May is the dry season in Jaco. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. In the spring, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.

Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Jaco in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Jaco and Santa Elena