A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Jaco for Nightlife, Beaches, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza is a lively, vibrant, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Fortaleza travel costs.

Jaco

Jaco is a popular, touristy, and laid back town. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Jaco travel costs.

Fortaleza and Jaco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fortaleza or Jaco?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Fortaleza. Although Fortaleza and Jaco are both popular with visitors, Fortaleza has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Fortaleza is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Jaco is known for its nightlife and scuba diving & snorkeling. Jaco is more touristy than Fortaleza and is known for its surfing, nightlife, and beaches. Fortaleza is popular for its beaches, nightlife, and local culture. It is also home to Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture.

How is Fortaleza different from Jaco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Fortaleza is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Jaco is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Fortaleza. Dragão do Mar is the cultural center in town. There are shows and concerts that highlight the local culture. Also part of the complex are a planetarium and two museums - the Museu de Arte Contemporânea and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense. Also worth seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza, which is the third largest cathedral in the country.

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 Fortaleza or Jaco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Fortaleza and Jaco.

Fortaleza has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a number of great restaurants that range from Brazilian barbecue restaurants to international cuisine. Many dishes are heavy and use a lot of meat. Local favorites include paçoca and escondidinho de carne seca.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Jaco area. 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 Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Nightlife?

Jaco is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

Fortaleza offers plenty to do in the evening. Like much of Brazil, the city has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are beachfront bars, live music venues, and many places where you can enjoy a good party. You'll find a high concentration of places around Praia de Iracema and the Casario.

Is Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jaco is a town with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Fortaleza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Fortaleza is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Beaches?

Fortaleza is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Jaco is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Fortaleza. There are 5 kilometers of sandy beach in town and many visitors enjoy taking long walks. While there are technically four beaches in the area, they all kind of merge together and it can be difficult to tell one from the other. The most popular beach is Meireles, which has a boardwalk and is lined by high rise buildings.

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 the Shopping Better in Fortaleza or Jaco?

Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza. It's a large city with plenty of shopping malls and other local boutiques which are fun to explore.

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 Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Families?

Jaco is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Jaco offers lots of family activities. Nearby you'll find horseback riding, monkey tours, and other fun kid-friendly activities. Kids will enjoy the beaches in the area as well.

Fortaleza is not the most family-friendly destination. There are several beaches and parks where kids will enjoy running around and stretching their legs.

Is Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Couples?

Jaco is a town with good options for its romantic activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for couples.

Jaco makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Fortaleza is not always the best place to visit for a couple. While it's often overlooked by couples, those who have a few days in town can enjoy the beaches or take a stroll down the beachfront promenade.

Is Fortaleza or Jaco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jaco is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Fortaleza is not known for backpackers.

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.

Fortaleza is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most backpackers skip this city for the more popular destinations.

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

Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza has some public transit options. The Metro system includes a rail and light rail system.

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

Is Fortaleza or Jaco a more walkable city?

Jaco is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Fortaleza is a somewhat walkable city. It's a relatively walkable city with some neighborhoods easier to explore on foot than others. It's important to understand the area you're in because safety could be a concern.

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

Should I spend more time in Jaco or Fortaleza?

How long in Fortaleza or Jaco?

It's fun to spend time in either Fortaleza or Jaco. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Jaco due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Fortaleza, and 3-4 days is enough time in Jaco.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jaco than Fortaleza 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 Jaco.

One day in Fortaleza or Jaco?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Fortaleza. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the town of Jaco. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Fortaleza or Jaco?

Fortaleza is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the touristy destination of Jaco. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Fortaleza or Jaco?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Fortaleza. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the touristy town of Jaco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Fortaleza or Jaco?

The cultural city of Fortaleza offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Jaco is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Jaco, we can see that Jaco is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza is in South America and Jaco is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

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

Which is Bigger, Fortaleza or Jaco?

Fortaleza has a larger population, and is about 590 times larger than the population of Jaco. When comparing the sizes of Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Jaco?

Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Jaco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Jaco. Most visitors come to Fortaleza for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Jaco attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Jaco during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jaco receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Jacoin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. July to January in Fortaleza is the dry season. Also, January to July is the rainy season in Fortaleza.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Jaco in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Jaco. The autumn months attract visitors to Fortaleza because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jaco throughout the year.

In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Jacoin October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jacoin October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Jaco. Fortaleza receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Jacoin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to May in Jaco is the dry season. Also, June to October in Jaco is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Jaco in the Winter?

Both Jaco and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Fortaleza this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Jaco because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Jaco in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Jaco fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Jaco. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jaco during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Jaco receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Jacoin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Fortaleza is July to January. The rainy season in Fortaleza is January to July.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Jaco in the Spring?

Both Jaco and Fortaleza during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Fortaleza for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jaco year-round.

In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Jaco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Jaco averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.

In Jaco, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Jacoin April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jaco receives 255 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Jacoin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Jaco receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. November to May is the dry season in Jaco. Also, the hurricane season in Jaco is June to October.

Typical Weather for Jaco and Fortaleza