Which place is cheaper, Jaco or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Santa Elena or Jaco?
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Jaco $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Jaco is $104. 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 Santa Elena and Jaco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Jaco $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Jaco $134
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Jaco
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena 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: Jaco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Jaco -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $211
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $179
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jaco
Also for Jaco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Private From Jaco to San José or Airport up to 5 passengers (one way) : $245
- Transfer to Jaco beach from San José or the airport one way: $245
- Private transfer from Jaco Beach to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $219
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Los Sueños Resort/Marriot : $200
- Jaco or Playa Hermosa: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $173
- From Tortuga Island Boat Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Jaco/Monteverde to Liberia Airport (LIR) - Departure Transfer : $90
- Transfer FROM Jaco Beach TO SJO Airport OR RETURN (One Way): $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Jaco?
Prices for flights to both Jaco and Santa Elena 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 daySanta Elena $24Jaco $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
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$3.94
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Tsunami Sushi Dinner$18
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Taco Bar Dinner$9.01
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Pizza & Smoothie Lunch$6.31
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Ice Cream$5.92
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Breakfast Taco Bar$3.34
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Fruit Plate$2.96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jaco
For Jaco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
- Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Jaco $60
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $70
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Day & Night Nature Tour in Monteverde Combo tour : $190
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- 100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde: $57
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $80
- 5-in-1 Monteverde Cloud Forest Experience with Ziplining and Hanging Bridges: $232
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Bird Watching Experience in Monteverde: $90
- Bird-Watching private tour : $100
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$9.82
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Surf Lesson$49
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Bike Rental$9.82
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Tortuga Island Tour$98
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Massage$44
Tours and Activities in Jaco
For Jaco, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jungle & River ATV Adventure, 2 hours / Jacó: $95
- Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos : $71
- 2 Hour ATV Jungle Adventure Jaco: $75
- 2 Hour Private Ranch Experience in Quebrada Amarilla: $120
- 2 Hours Private Guided Hiking Experience to El Miro in Jaco: $35
- 2 hour Double ATV Tour + Waterfalls in Jaco Beach : $99
- 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure: $95
- 3-Hour Private Guided Experience of 7 Course Contemporary Indian Tasting Menu: $225
- 3.000 ft Private Paragliding Experience in Costa Rica: $290
- 4x4 Happy Jungle Booze Cruise: $115
- 5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour: $160
- ATV Tour in Jaco Beach, enjoy Jungle, River, and Beach - No large groups: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Jaco $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 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).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Jaco 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.
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).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Jaco 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.
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).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Jaco 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.
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).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Jaco 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Jaco and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Jaco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.