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

Should you visit Tulum or Jaco?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Jaco can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tulum

Tulum is a ancient, archeological, and tropical town. With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Tulum travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a laid back, popular, and touristy town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

Tulum and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tulum or Jaco?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tulum than Jaco, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tulum is well known for its archeological sights, beautiful beaches, and dramatic cenotes. Also, Tulum is famous for the Tulum archeological ruins. Jaco is well known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches.

How is Tulum different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tulum or Jaco?

Tulum is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Tulum has many famous sights for visitors. It's famous for its world-renowned archeological ruins. The Tulum Archeological Site is very popular for its Mayan temples and castles. You can also travel a bit further to see the Cobá Ruins.

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 Tulum or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tulum is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Tulum has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Despite being well established as a top tourist destination in Mexico, you'll still find authentic and delicious local cuisine. Favorite dishes around town include the ceviche, tacos al pastor, and sopa de lima (chicken soup).

Jaco offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Both Tulum and Jaco are first-rate when it comes to partying.

Tulum is a must-see party destination. It's world renowned for its wild nightlife scene and you'll find iconic beach parties, jungle raves, and trendy Tuluminati parties. Most of the local places that are a bit more affordable are in town, and the more touristy and expensive places are around the Middle Beach Zone.

Jaco is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Resorts?

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

Tulum offers an unforgettable resort vacation. If you're on a budget, you can stay in town for a more reasonable price, but if you want a classic beach vacation, head to the Zona Hotelera stretch along the coast. There are luxury hotels as well as resorts with beachfront pools and luxury restaurants.

Jaco is not a resort destination.

Is Tulum or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tulum 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 Tulum specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The water along the coast is shallow and clear, which is perfect for snorkeling. There are also dive trips that take you a short distance out to diverse and beautiful reefs.

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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Tulum 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 Tulum are among the best in the world. World class beaches with turquoise water and long stretches of sand make this a true beach-lovers paradise. Playa Paraíso is a favorite beach in the area and many consider it among the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Hiking?

Tulum 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 Tulum. There are coastal walks and routes that take you through the jungle or by archeological ruins. There are many places where you can enjoy a stroll through nature.

Jaco is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tulum or Jaco?

Tulum is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Tulum. Quirky souvenir shops, local artisan boutiques, and colorful bazaars make shopping a fun experience. Make sure you check out Mercado Maya or the Tulum Bazaar while you're in town.

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 Tulum or Jaco More Beautiful?

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

With stunning beauty, Tulum attracts visitors from all around. Clear blue water, sandy beaches, jungle covered archeological ruins, and hidden cenotes make this a stunningly beautiful place to visit.

Jaco is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Tulum or Jaco Better for Families?

Tulum 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 Tulum. Kids will love the beaches and archeological sights as much as adults. You can also visit a cenote or see the sea turtles at Akumal Bay. If you're open to getting out of town, there are many adventure parks in the area as well.

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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Couples?

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

Tulum has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Beautiful beaches, world famous archeological sights, and a wild nightlife scene make this a great honeymoon or couple's destination. There are also spas, cenotes, and even cooking classes that you can take together.

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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Tulum and Jaco are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Tulum. It's no longer an undiscovered backpacker paradise, but there are still affordable options in the area and there's a great nightlife scene.

Many backpackers 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 Tulum or Jaco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tulum 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.

Tulum has some public transit options. There are shared vans, Collectivos, that provide transportation through the area. The Tiburon is also a local bus that runs along the coastline.

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

Is Tulum or Jaco a more walkable city?

Tulum and Jaco both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Tulum is very walkable. It's easy to walk around downtown Tulum and explore on foot.

Jaco is a very walkable town. 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 Tulum Worth Visiting? and Is Jaco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Tulum?

How long in Tulum or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Tulum or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Tulum due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Tulum, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tulum 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 Tulum.

One day in Tulum or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Tulum. 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.

In Jaco, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this laid back destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Tulum or Jaco?

Tulum 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jaco. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tulum or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the active destination of Tulum. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Jaco is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Jaco. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tulum or Jaco?

The active town of Tulum offers shopping and museums. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the touristy destination of Jaco. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Tulum and Jaco, we can see that Tulum 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. Even though Tulum is in North America and Jaco is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Tulum or Jaco?

Tulum has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Tulum 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 Tulum or Jaco?

Tulum 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 Tulum or Jaco in the Summer?

Both Jaco and Tulum during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In July, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 28°C (83°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Tulum. In the summer, Tulum often gets more sunshine than Jaco. Tulum gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun.

Jaco gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually gets less rain in July than Jaco. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Jaco in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Jaco. The autumn months attract visitors to Tulum because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tulum is around the same temperature as Jaco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Tulum, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tulum usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during autumn. Tulum gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Jaco receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tulum usually receives less rain than Jaco. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. November to April in Tulum is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. The hurricane season in Tulum is June to October. November to May in Jaco is the dry season. The hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Should I visit Tulum or Jaco in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Jaco. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

In the winter, Tulum is cooler than Jaco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tulum in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Jaco averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jaco. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tulum this time of the year. In the winter, Tulum often gets less sunshine than Jaco. Tulum gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun.

Tulum usually gets more rain in January than Jaco. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tulum or Jaco in the Spring?

Both Jaco and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Jaco. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 27°C (81°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tulum. Tulum usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during spring. Tulum gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tulum usually receives more rain than Jaco. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tulum is November to April. The rainy season in Tulum is June to October. June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum. The dry season in Jaco is November to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Jaco.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Tulum