Is Jaco Expensive?

Is Jaco expensive to visit?

Jaco is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $104. If we compare it to the rest of Central America, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its overall travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as La Fortuna and Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park).



Sunset on Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

How expensive is Jaco?

Travelers spend an average of $104 per day when visiting Jaco (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Jaco here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Jaco?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Jaco costs around $312 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $624.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Jaco?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Jaco will cost around $728 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,456.

Is it expensive to backpack in Jaco?

With more than 10 hostels in the area, Jaco is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $19 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Jaco here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $5, but the most expensive can be more than $33 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Jaco.

  • $18 for a dorm bed at Room2Board Hostel and Surf School
  • $13 for a dorm bed at Hostel De Haan
  • $24 for a dorm bed at Selina Jaco

Are hotels expensive in Jaco?

When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Jaco, we find them to be very expensive in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $177. The area boasts about 2 five-star hotels with an average rate of $463 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $195 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $65 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Jaco
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 2 $463
4 stars 11 $234
3 stars 64 $195
2 stars 14 $65
1 star 3 $184
No rating 5 $173

250 Meter South, Jaco Beach, Jaco
Overall Rating 9.4
Calle Lapa Verde, 500 este de heladeria Pops, Jaco
Overall Rating 8.5

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Jaco?

In Jaco, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $60 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $32.

    • Best Waterfall Rappelling+ Zipline+Tractor Jungle Tour and Rainforest Horseback : $160
    • ATV adventure 2hrs and Waterfall in Jacó: $89
    • Corcovado Hiking Tour: $140
    • Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking Tour from Jacó: $107
    • Whale and Dolphin Combo Tour in Marino Ballena National Park : $90
    • Jaco Highlights Tour: $98
    • "Miro Jaco" & Jaco Beach Horseback Tour: $59
    • Full Day Tour in Corcovado National Park: $150

    Is food expensive in Jaco?

    In Jaco, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $21 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $25.

    • Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
    • Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner: $195
    • Costa Rican cooking class with cookbook author Melissa Guzman: $85

    Is transportation expensive in Jaco?

    Exploring local transportation in Jaco shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $0 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $26. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for Jaco

    If you're planning a trip to Jaco, Costa Rica, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



    If you want to share the information, here's how. down-arrow
    • You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page.
    • For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code, or this page's address.