Jacó is a lively beach town with a ton of amenities. At just 1.5 hours from San Jose, Jaco is the closest beach to the SJO Airport! Although it’s most well known for its night life, restaurants, and nearby surf destinations, Jacó is also a great destination for anyone looking to experience the nature of Costa Rica beachside.
Jaco is known for its Scarlet Macaw parrots which can be seen soaring through the air with their mates and its multiple hidden watefalls!
Jaco has plenty of hotel and Airbnb options located right on the beach! This town is also fairly walkable, and home to many amazing activities and awesome day trips in the immediate area. If you’re looking for a one-stop Costa Rican experience or limited on vacation time, Jaco is a great option!
This guide will go over the best tours and activities in the area, where to get some amazing meals, and the best places to stay in Jaco!
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What is Jaco Beach like?
For Costa Rican standards, Jaco is a long and wide beach! This makes it the perfect spot for anyone learning to surf or looking to find a more private spot on the beach. The sand at Jaco is known for its volcanic properties and is gray in color. The waves here are big enough to get up on a surf board but gentle enough for kids to play on the shore.
There are a few beachfront restaurants peppering the shore. You can rent umbrellas and chairs right on the beach, or even get a massage! Jaco is also a great spot to watch the sunset, as it is on the Pacific Coast. You’ll get a perfect view of the sun setting into the ocean!
What is the town of Jaco like?
Jaco can be likened to the Las Vegas of Costa Rica. While it has so much to offer, Jaco is also home to some casinos and several nightclubs. It has a reputation for adult entertainment and nightlife. This, however, shouldn’t be reason enough to deter you from this destination. Unless you are looking for these attractions, they will generally go under your radar. I’ve been to Jaco several times and have never seen anything off putting.
If you are wondering what other nearby beach destinations to consider, you can check out Manuel Antonio or the beaches of Guanacaste.
The Best Places to Stay in Playa Jaco
One of the reasons why Playa Jaco is such an incredible destination is the amazing options of where to stay! There are quite a few hotels and condos right off the beach!
🔹 Spa and great local restaurant (which will cook up the fish you catch) on site
🔹 The beach is steps away from the gorgeous hotel pool
🔹 Said to be a “little piece of heaven” in Jaco
🔹 Centrally located in town for a quick walk to restaurants and shops
🔹 Lovely pool and beachfront!
🔹 Breakfast included and great food at the restaurant on site
Best Western Jaco Beach All-Inclusive Resort
🔹 Located right on the beach!
🔹 Great for families
🔹 Wonderful food and lots of activities offered right at the resort
For a full list of stay options, check out Booking.com below.
Where to Eat in Jaco Beach
When it comes to dining, Jaco has a lot of options! Here are some of the tried and true favorites of Jaco locals.
🔷 Samudios – A beachfront restaurant with multiple floors! Samudios is a great place to catch the sunset as you sip on the delicious Happy Hour cocktails. Stay for a dinner with fresh seafood as you enjoy the sounds of the waves below you.
🔷 Novillo Alegre – A more upscale restaurant with an Argentine flair. Novillo Alegre is known for its high quality steak, seafood, and burgers! You can also enjoy live music.
🔷 Koko – An authentic Jaco Beach restaurant, that also takes reservations! What better way to dine than with your feet in the sand as you watch the sun sink into the ocean? The ceviche here is a must-try.
🔷 El Manglar Seafood & Grill – Tucked back in a tropical oasis, here you can find an upscale restaurant with a wide variety of fresh seafood including octopus, oysters, and jumbo shrimp. They also have live music!
🔷 Restaurante Cocos – A great beachfront restaurant for any time of the day! The red snapper and burgers are something to write home about, as well as the passionfruit margaritas.
🔷 Morales House – This casual restaurant is a great place for lunch and cocktails.
The Best Things to Do in & around Jaco
One of the best things about Jaco is the variety of tours and activities nearby! Unlike many other areas, Jaco offers a lot of guided tours. This is a great way to meet other travelers and learn more about Costa Rica, as told by ticos! Here are some of the best tours and must-do activities when visiting the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
🔷 A Catamaran Tour – An absolute must-do in Costa Rica! Catamaran tours generally include snorkeling, a visit to a bay or island only accessible by boat, a fresh lunch, and unlimited beverages!
The catamarans out of Jaco go a step further and visit the famous Tortuga Island or the pristine Playa Fantasia. Both are fantastic destinations for snorkeling, with the opportunity to see dolphins, sea turtles, and small sharks. Choose from a morning or sunset catamaran, each with its own charm!
🔷 Catch a Pacific Sunset – Watch the sunset at the beach or at a beachfront restaurant, like Koko, El Pelicano, or El Hicaco.
🔷 ATV Tour of the Jungle – One of Jaco’s most popular tours! This tour takes you on an adventure through the jungle to two hidden waterfalls! Here you’ll get to take a dip, cliff jump if you so please, and soak up an authentic rainforest experience.
🔷 A Surfing Lesson – You can’t leave the Pacific Coast without trying your hand at surfing! Jaco Beach is the go-to place for beginners looking to surf. This is a great activity for kids and adults alike!
🔷 Horseback Riding – Spot monkeys in the jungle on horseback and finish your ride at the beach!
Note: You will see many people who offer horseback riding on the beach. These people will let you go up and down the beach on horseback. The tours reserved online will take you through the jungle on a trail along the river before you finish your ride on the beach.
🔷 Visit Some Other Must-See Beaches! – There are tons of beaches in the area, each with its own appeal. Playa Hermosa is a world renown surfing destination. It’s a great way to experience the professional surf culture in Costa Rica.
A quick 5-10 minute drive away, Playa Herradura is a small, calm beach perfect for stand-up paddle boarding and lounging around. Finally, Playa Mantas is a nearby beach that has walking access (during low tide) to a true hidden gem, Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca is known for its white-sand and crystal-clear water.
🔷 See Monkeys and Try Local Cuisine! – The Monkey Tour in Jaco Beach is a unique experience where you can see white-faced monkeys! You’ll also stop along the Tarcoles Bridge to see crocodiles in their natural habitat. This tour includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
🔷 Take a Day Trip to a Nearby Destination – Don’t miss one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica—Manuel Antonio! Just 1 hour and 20 minutes from Jaco, it’s a fantastic place to see sloths, exotic birds, reptiles, and more.
A two hour drive from Jaco will find you at one of Costa Rica’s most impressive waterfalls, the stunning Catarata Nauyaca. The hidden gem Diamante Waterfall is a towering waterfall cascading in front of a cave visitors can explore!
How to Get Around Jaco Beach
If you plan on exploring outside of Jaco, renting a car is a great choice. It gives you the freedom to explore Costa Rica at your leisure. Shuttle prices can also add up quickly, so renting a car is often more economical. There’s a lot of rental companies to choose from, but Adobe offers reliable service and transparent pricing. Get 10% off your car rental here!
If you’re not planning on doing much exploring, a shuttle is a good option for a comfortable ride to Jaco. You can book your transfer from the airport to Jaco here. Ubers are available in Jaco, as well as the normal Costa Rican taxis. Ask your hotel for a reliable taxi number.
Jaco is also pretty walkable! It is advised to not walk at night. For more about safety in Costa Rica, check out our safety tips for first timers.
For more on transportation options in Costa Rica, check out this post.
Final Thoughts on Playa Jaco
A quick trip from the SJO airport, Jaco is a lively beach town with great restaurants and amenities. There’s a ton of fun tours and activities in Jaco that are fit for the whole family. It’s also a great destination to pair with Monteverde or La Fortuna to experience both the rainforest side of Costa Rica and the sunny beaches.
Ready to get packing? Check out the ultimate packing list for your trip to Costa Rica.
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More Essential Info for Planning Your Dream Trip:
🔹 Costa Rica Planning Guide – Trip planning 101
🔹 Deciding when to come to Costa Rica
🔹 10% off your rental car – Costa Rica’s most reliable company
🔹 Safety Tips to enjoy your trip to the fullest
🔹 The Ultimate Packing List for Costa Rica
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