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District in Garabito canton, Puntarenas province, Costa Rica
Photo: Costaricapro, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Jacó is one of the two largest tourist towns on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It is a surfing town with a 4-km long black sand beach and several local surf shops where you can get a board or sign up for lessons.
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The Blue Monkey
Sloth rescue project, sponsored by Kids Saving the Rainforest.
Surf camp and yoga retreat owned and operated by local Costa Rican surfer, Maria Del Mar. Premiere and certified surf camp featuring surf lessons, surf coaching, surf tours, private surf lessons, family surf lessons day packages and surf camps including all inclusive surf packages, women's surf, and yoga camps, and surf and detox retreats. Locally certified Costa Rican school with ISA, CPR, first aid and water rescue with no more than two students per instructor.
Herradura village offers a beautiful cove-style beach, that is often less crowded than the beach at Jaco. The beach was the site of the filming of the movie 1492, and one can tell why by its rustic beauty. As there are many rivers flowing into Herradura Bay, at times there are crocodiles that swim in the bay to feed. They are difficult to see, as a result of the black sand, so be very cautious when swimming there.
The entrance to this beach is extremely difficult to find, and it's best to have a local point it out to you. The road is quite bumpy and filled with potholes, so go slowly and cautiously. Since all the other beaches in the Jaco area are made up of black sand (volcanic rock) Playa Blanca is a welcome change. This beach, also part of the Punta Leona Resort, is virtually closed off from the rest of the world. Although you can get there for free down the hidden road, you can also pay to use the beach through the Punta Leona Resort.
Considered one of the best surfing locations in the world, the beach is extremely dangerous. People die here every year, as they do in Jaco as well, and the riptides and large waves in Hermosa are notorious. Be extremely careful when swimming in Hermosa. The black sand at midday is scalding hot, and will burn your feet. But the beach is beautiful and uncrowded. Most people prefer to spend their time in Jacó, and Hermosa is largely ignored. A great place for a drink or a snack while in Hermosa is the Backyard Bar. In contrast to the rowdy bars of Jaco, this one has a very mellow, surfer vibe.
The river is famous for one thing, its crocodiles. Park alongside the road and walk along the bridge to view the hundreds of crocodiles lying below. Many of the local resorts and hotels offer crocodile tours to Tarcoles where you can see the creatures up close. If that's a frightening idea, the view from the bridge is impressive enough.
Stand up paddle and surf lessons for beginners and experienced surfers, individuals and groups. The camp has its own accommodation in comfortable air-con bungalows with great ocean views. Also offers adventure tours including mountain bike, yoga classes, and packages with trips to national parks. Run by Marcel Olievera, five times national SUP surfing & SUP racing champion and 2018 national longboard surfing champion.
Spanish language school that offers group, private, surf and special courses such as the "crash course" for travellers (1 to 5 days). The school also offers cultural activities and excursions during the week to practice Spanish.
One of the best places in town for cheap local Costa Rica food. Generous portions and wide variety of fresh and delicious food served cafeteria style where you point to what you want then pick form a variety of beverages and pay at the end of the line. Very popular with locals and tourists and always busy.
Great seafood, steak, typical Casado dishes and great bocas (bocas are small portion appetizers). Perfect place to watch soccer games, have great food and cold beer and blend in with the locals. Very popular spot and usually pretty busy and bustling. Bar Isaga is a must-try location for anyone's Jacó bucket list.
Top-rated five-star dining and international cuisine owned and operated by gourmet American chef Richard Lemon and his wife Nelly. Fine dining and vast menu with outstanding seafood dishes, steak, poultry, pasta. US$15-18 per plate average. Full bar on site.
The place for large American-style breakfast.
The place for sushi, with daily deals. Wednesdays from 6PM-9PM. Half-off most of the sushi rolls on the menu.
A restaurant with relatively bland (be sure to ask for spicy sauce) Indian food located near the parking lot of Jaco Walk.
Daily, Shabbat & holiday dinners.
Los Amigos
Non-smoking air-conditioned dining and drinking, and open air outdoor seating for smokers. Serving lunch and dinner from 11AM-11PM Su-Th and 11AM–1AM F-Sa, 365 days a year. Seven 42-inch plasma TVs, 3 projectors, 6 satellite feeds hosting every sporting event known. Over 45 local and imported beers, a full liquor bar, and some of the best food & service on the Pacific coast.
Where most of the city's working girls congregate and "party".
Bar and Restaurant
Live music daily and a large selection of local brews both on tap and bottle. Great food, too!
A small place with a large beer selection.
The official after-party place of Jaco Beach. Featuring the best music, DJs, and club scene in town. Bottle service reservations get the best tables. Very good vibe mixed crowd locals and tourists.
Big leather couches, hip hop music, good air conditioning. They don't seem to charge cover even on busy nights. In February 2022 this club went from being called "Man Cave" to "The Back Room".
The vibe was like an EDM club with lasers and heavy base but playing Caribbean and Reggaeton music with a little Hip Hop. The floor had tile and things looked to be going for a modern/clean aesthetic.
One of the cheapest hotels/hostels in town. Dorms and rooms (with up to 6 beds, with private bathroom and hot shower!) Swimming pool, kitchen, 20 m from the beach. No AC available.
Hotel Las Orquideas is a boutique kosher hotel open all year round. The hotel is located in the center of the beach and surfing town, Playa Jaco. minutes walk from the ocean and footsteps from the restaurants, nightlife and all the attractions that Jaco has to offer. Enjoy your stay at this new property that has been refurbished in 2017.
Fun place to be with a coworking space too.
La Palmera Jacó is 90 minutes from the international Juan Santa Maria airport. This charming hotel offers 15 standard rooms.
DoceLunas has five acres of landscaped gardens and only 20 rooms. The hotel is at the base of a jungle-covered mountain and the canopy has been preserved through the hotel, so guests include kinkajou, coatimundi, arboreal anteaters and a wide variety of birds. The mountain and the trees shade the hotel and keep it cool. Every room has air-con and it is maintained frequently for fresh clean air. The hotel has a large pool with a sun moon mosaic design and a waterfall cave. Four-star amenities and service. DoceLunas is the second highest rated hotel in Jaco, second only to a budget hotel that is rated tops in Central America.
(north of Jaco and Herradura) A beach community surrounded by 750 acres of tropical forest reserve and home to Playa Blanca, one of the most beautiful white-sand and azure water beaches on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast. Condominiums and houses available for rent.
Travel and Leisure magazine calls the Los Suenos Marriott one of "the best in the world." This luxurious hotel features 6 restaurants and lounges. The spacious accommodations and unmatched service and amenities make the Los Suenos Marriott one of the top choices among Costa Rican hotels.
Gorgeous hotel perched on top of the mountain, and is reminiscent of traditional colonial style architecture. Go to the hotel right before sunset and sit in the amphitheatre, cliff side, for the most amazing sunset experience you'll ever have. Enjoy a delicious cocktail while you take in the breathtaking views.
There are many places to get good haircuts here for cheap. Tony's and Medrano both are at the price listed.
By bus
There are hourly buses going to Jacó from the Coca Cola bus station in downtown San José.
By shuttle
The most convenient (but expensive) way to get to Jacó from the airport is to book a private van/airport transfer service to meet and greet you at the airport and bring you directly to your hotel or…
Transportation in and around Jacó is quite simple. The city is small enough, that walking from one end to the other is not an impossible feat.
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San José (Alajuela) · International · SJO
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