Jacó
Costa Rica
1/6
Budget$1,840
Internet95 Mbps
Vibe7/10
Side-by-side city decision
Jacó vs Makati.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
JacóCosta Rica1/6
VS
MakatiPhilippines4/6
$1,840Jacó monthly budget
$1,280Makati monthly budget
95 MbpsJacó internet
125 MbpsMakati internet
Decision summary
Makati
Makati leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Makati
Speed
Fastest internet
Makati
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
Makati
Safety
Highest safety
Makati
Air
Cleanest air
Jacó
Walk
Most walkable
Tie
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
Makati
Philippines
4/6
Budget$1,280
Internet125 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsMetricJacóMakati
Total estimated budget
$1,840
$1,280
1-bed center rent
$1,050
$720
Coworking desk
$180
$190
Local meal
$9
$4.3
Cappuccino
$3.8
$3.5
Gym membership
$55
$48
Transport budget
$110
$70
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsMetricJacóMakati
Internet speed
95 Mbps
125 Mbps
Nomad vibe
7/10
8/10
Quality of life
5 signalsMetricJacóMakati
Safety index
55/100
61/100
Air quality
82/100
48/100
Walkability
6/10
6/10
Female safety
6/10
6/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
6/10
7/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsMetricJacóMakati
Healthcare quality
Average
Excellent
English proficiency
Good
Excellent
Climate type
Tropical monsoon
Tropical monsoon
Best time to visit
Dec - Apr
Nov - Feb
Beyond the numbers
What each city asks you to trade
Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture.
Jacó
Costa Rica
Strengths
- Pacific beaches and surfing are minutes from town
- Strong dry-season weather from December through April
- Good choice of furnished apartments and condos
- English is widely spoken in tourism-facing businesses
- Active international surf and remote-worker community
- Easy access to San José and Juan Santamaría Airport
Trade-offs
- Rents rise sharply during high season
- Rainy-season humidity and downpours can be intense
- Petty theft and nightlife-related crime require caution
- Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are inconsistent
- Reliable workspace options are fewer than in San José
- Traffic and road noise affect central beach areas
Common visa routes
- Tourist entry: up to 180 days at immigration discretion
- Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa: renewable one-year residence
- Rentista or pensionado temporary-residence pathways
Makati
Philippines
Strengths
- Excellent English proficiency and easy daily communication
- Strong café, coworking, and corporate-business ecosystem
- High-quality private hospitals and specialist care nearby
- Wide choice of condos, malls, restaurants, and delivery services
- Cashless payments and ride-hailing are widely available
- Large international and Filipino social scene
Trade-offs
- Severe road traffic can make short trips slow
- Central neighborhoods have relatively high rents
- Heat, humidity, and monsoon downpours are persistent
- Air quality is often poor beside major roads
- Sidewalks can be uneven, blocked, or limited
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking
Common visa routes
- Visa-free entry or visitor visa extension
- Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension
- Special Resident Retiree's Visa
Reading the result
Use this as a planning benchmark
The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices.
Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices.
Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity.
Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.