Jacó, Costa Rica, is a coastal town just a 2-hour drive from the capital city of San José. Thanks to its varied accommodations, proximity to the ocean, and lively atmosphere, it’s a popular home base from which to explore the surrounding areas.
If you’re thinking of visiting some national parks in Costa Rica, such as Manuel Antonio or Carara, Jacó is a good place to spend the night. Also, if you’re up for some thrills, you can take some of the best tours in Costa Rica, such as ziplining excursions or quad-biking through the jungle.
However, Jacó Beach owes its great popularity to its perfect waves that allow you to surf all year round. It’s one of the most famous spots to take classes, both for beginners and experienced surfers, so, if you want to delve into the Pura Vida culture, this is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica.
We loved this place, not only because of its picturesque town but also because of its friendly people. In addition, it has accommodation and restaurants with good prices, so it’s perfect if you’re traveling on a tight budget.
This guide contains all the information you need about Jacó in Costa Rica. I’ll tell you what to see, where to stay, and other interesting tips to make the most of your visit.
Best things to do in Jacó, Costa Rica
Below, you’ll find the best activities to do in Jacó, Costa Rica, as well as attractions in the surrounding area that you cannot miss.
1. Go surfing in Jacó, Costa Rica
Surfing in Jacó is the activity that attracts most visitors throughout the year. Here, there are classes for all ages and levels, with more than 30 schools where you can learn new movements and develop your skills.
If it’s your first time surfing, I recommend these classes in Playa Jacó, which include your surfboard rental. You can choose either morning or afternoon sessions to make the most of the day. For those with more experience, there are larger, more powerful waves at the northern end of the beach. Now, if you’re an experienced surfer, I recommend driving 10 minutes away to Playa Hermosa, another beach that I’ll tell you about later.
1. Go surfing in Jacó, Costa Rica
Jaco is a designated World Surfing Reserve, where you can enjoy strong and consistent waves up to 4 meters (13 ft) high. Peak season is from March to November, but you can surf all year round. The most famous breaks are Terraza, Backyard, and Tulin, where surf competitions are held every week, as well as the annual Quiksilver Championship.
Even if you aren’t competing with the pros, I still recommend attending these competitions as a spectator. This unique event is one of the best things to do in Jacó, where you can experience the surfing spirit that characterizes Costa Rican culture.
2. Miro Ruins, an essential place to see in Jacó, Costa Rica
The Miro Ruins have a privileged location where you can appreciate Jacó Beach from above. If you want to get dreamlike panoramic views of the coast, this is the best place to go in Jacó. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
This site is home to the remains of an old structure, and over time, local artists have covered it with murals and paintings. Some say this structure was a former restaurant, but others say it was the home of a wealthy man who wanted to appreciate the beautiful beach views from the comfort of his home. Beyond that, there is no doubt that this site maintains a special mystique, and the graffiti is truly impressive.
2. Miro Ruins, an essential place to see in Jacó, Costa Rica
Of course, to get to the top, you’ll have to climb a steep hill along a natural path. It will take you about an hour, so make sure you bring enough water.
The beginning of the route is located next to the road to Quepos, on the left-hand side, just after the gas station. It’s well-marked, and along the way, you can find different sculptures, as well as some species of animals native to Costa Rica, such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other types of birds.
3. Jacó Beach and other beautiful beaches in Jacó
This beach in Costa Rica is one of the country’s surfing meccas. Not only will you find schools along the entire coast, but it also has a range of hotels and restaurants for all tastes. If you’re looking for a place to spend a day at the beach with all the comforts, this is an excellent option. In addition, you can watch a dreamy sunset at one of the beach bars and enjoy lively nightlife.
On the other hand, Playa Hermosa is located 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Jacó and is a much quieter alternative. It’s one of the most popular places for experienced surfers, but the town is very small, so you’ll only find a handful of hotels and restaurants. If you like shopping or partying, I recommend staying in Jacó.
3. Jacó Beach and other beautiful beaches in Jacó
Another beach in Jacó that I recommend is Playa Herradura, located north of Jacó Beach. It has crystal clear waters and black sand, so the color contrast is spectacular. In addition, it’s surrounded by abundant vegetation and gorgeous palm trees, so, if you like nature, you’ll find it fascinating.
Finally, if you have enough time, Guacalillo Beach is an hour’s drive from the center of Jacó and is home to volcanic stone cliffs of different colors. Many locals go to the Peñón de Guacalillo to contemplate the sunset and the entire landscape of the bay, but I don’t recommend swimming here. The Tárcoles River flows into here, and it’s one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Plus, there may be crocodiles.
4. Excursion to Tortuga Island from Jacó
Although the beaches of Jacó are beautiful, they’re far from the typical white sand beaches Costa Rica is known for. However, don’t be discouraged, because you can sign up for this excursion to Tortuga Island from Jacó and fulfill your dream of spending a day in paradise.
Before you sign up, remember that you’re not allowed to spend the night on the island, so you’ll need to book a full-day organized tour. Also, take into account that you won’t return to Jaco until late at night, so be prepared and enjoy it to the fullest. Fortunately, one full day is all you need for a visit to Isla Tortuga, and you can consider it even for short trips.
4. Excursion to Tortuga Island from Jacó
The excursion begins with a bus trip to the port of Puntarenas, where you’ll take a yacht to Isla Tortuga. Along the way, you’ll become immersed in the spectacular landscape, the kind that seems too beautiful to be real.
There are many things to do on Tortuga Island, and this tour includes 5 free hours to relax on the beach, work on your tan, walk along the Sendero de Los Poetas, or enjoy some water sports. You can find jet ski, kayak, banana boat, and paddleboard rentals, so it’s impossible to be bored here. I recommend doing some snorkeling or scuba diving to explore the rich biodiversity of the seabed.
The tour also includes lunch on the beach and an open rum bar during the return trip, offering you the perfect combination of nature, fun, and entertainment.
5. Zipline and quad adventure at Los Sueños Adventure Park, another fun thing to do in Jacó
Another of the most popular activities in Jacó is this zipline and quad tour at Los Sueños Adventure Park. Why choose one if you can do both?
This excursion begins with a tractor ride up the mountain, where the zipline circuit begins. Take a deep breath and fly through the tropical jungle while appreciating its beauty from above. In total, there are 10 cables and 14 platforms, and it will take you about 2 hours to complete. Throughout your adventure, you’ll get amazing panoramic views of the Nicoya Peninsula.
5. Zipline and Quad adventure at Los Sueños Adventure Park, another fun thing to do in Jacó
After soaring through the air, it’s time to explore from the ground. After ziplining, you’ll enjoy a 3-hour quad tour through different corners of the park’s 300 hectares (740 acres). It’s a breathtaking journey along the muddy paths, and you’ll get to immerse yourself in the abundant vegetation.
Finally, you’ll reach a lovely waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim. It’s the perfect ending to this action-packed day.
6. Rafting on the Savegre River, the best river for rafting near Jacó
Another adrenaline-filled experience is this rafting tour along the Savegre River. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most exciting things to do in Jacó.
First of all, you should know that the descending rapids are classified into different levels of intensity, ranging from I to V. In this case, the Savegre River is Level III, so it includes some more complicated maneuvers with big waves and strong currents. Of course, there’s nothing to be afraid of since you’ll be rafting with a professional guide.
6. Rafting on the Savegre River, the best river for rafting near Jacó
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy rafting in Costa Rica, although you’ll go through an instructional briefing before your adventure to avoid any accidents or mishaps. In addition, the tour includes all the necessary safety equipment, such as lifevests and helmets, and there are kayakers for rescue support. The adventure lasts just over 2.5 hours and includes lunch so you can recharge your batteries.
We went rafting on the Pacuare River, so we decided to spend our days enjoying the beaches of Jacó and the surrounding national parks. However, if you haven’t tried rafting yet, I must tell you that we had a blast, and any concerns we had went out the door as soon as we spoke to our instructors. We went rafting on Level IV rapids, and it was awesome.
7. See the Tárcoles River crocodiles
The Crocodile Bridge over the Tárcoles River is one of the most curious places to visit near Jacó. Just a 30-minute drive from the town center, you can see one of the most iconic animals of Costa Rica, safely, of course. Plus, this attraction is absolutely free.
The bridge is on National Highway 34, on the route that connects San José, one of the most important cities in Costa Rica, with tourist sites such as Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Here, you can park your car on the side of the road and walk up to the bridge. From here, you’ll see a dozen specimens of American crocodiles in their natural habitat. To give you an idea, these prehistoric-looking animals measure between 3 and 4 meters (10 and 13 ft), although some reach 7 and a half meters (25 ft) in length.
7. See the crocodiles of the Tárcoles River
Of course, there are some controversies about this place since it seems that the crocodiles are given food in an effort to keep them confined to the bridge and attract tourists. However, the experience is still spectacular, and you can see them everywhere, whether drying in the sun on the shore or swimming in the murky waters of the Tárcoles River.
If you prefer an alternative that’s more respectful of the environment and the ecosystem, check out this boat ride on the Tárcoles River. This 2-hour excursion goes through the Guacalillo estuary, so you’ll be able to spot these impressive creatures in the middle of the jungle.
8. Go to Carara National Park, the closest national park to Jacó
Carara National Park is another place to visit near Jacó, and you can even combine it with your visit to the Crocodile Bridge since it’s just a 10-minute drive away.
This park is a paradise for bird lovers since it’s the only transitional forest in the Pacific where species from dry and humid forests coexist. However, the star of the show is the scarlet macaw, an endangered species that you’ll appreciate seeing in nature.
8. Go to Carara National Park, the closest national park to Jacó
Of course, your best chance of seeing the macaw and other species is with the help of a trained guide. We were able to maximize our visit thanks to our guide, Ronald, and without him, I don’t think we would have spotted so many birds. I highly recommend hiring a guide for your visit!
If you decide to go on your own, be aware that the park has a 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mile) circular route, made up of four interconnected trails: the Universal Access Trail, the Las Aráceas Trail, the Ecosystem Meeting Trail, and the Quebrada Bonita Trail. In addition, you can add the Laguna Meándrica Trail to your route, which will give you the opportunity to see crocodiles. We didn’t have any luck during our visit, but it was okay since we saw crocs at the Tarcoles River Bridge.
9. Visit the Bijagual Waterfall
The Bijagual Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica, so you can’t pass up the opportunity to visit it on your way through Jacó. Not only is it 328 meters (1,076 ft) high, but it’s one of the highest in the entire country.
9. Visit the Bijagual Waterfall
To get there, you’ll have to walk approximately 50 minutes along a path that runs through the lush vegetation of the surroundings. At a certain point, you will reach a viewpoint in the middle of the waterfall, where you can observe it up close and take some stunning photos.
Now, if you want to take a swim, you must continue descending until you reach the river. There, you’ll find pools of cool water where you can take a dip and cool off. If you want to visit the waterfall but don’t have a car, I recommend signing up for this tour, which also includes a horseback ride along the nearby mountain trails.
10. Manuel Antonio National Park, another amazing place to visit near Jacó
Finally, I recommend visiting Manuel Antonio National Park since it’s just an hour’s drive from Jacó. This is one of the most famous places to see in Costa Rica, thanks to its great biodiversity. And if you can’t or don’t want to drive, there is this guided tour that can take care of everything for you.
There are all kinds of things to do at this park, but the highlight is seeing all the animals of Costa Rica. If you book the tour, you’ll be taken care of, but if you visit on your own, I recommend hiring a guide to help you identify different species. The truth is that the vegetation here is super thick, so it’s easy to completely miss some animals, even if they’re right in front of you! That happened to us with a Costa Rican sloth that was leaning on a branch near us. Thankfully, our guide pointed it out to us.
10. Manuel Antonio National Park, another amazing place to visit near Jacó
On the other hand, the park is home to two paradisiacal beaches where you can rest and take a stroll. Manuel Antonio Beach and La Espadilla South Beach have similar landscapes, although the latter is much less crowded with people.
In addition to exploring the park by land, it’s worth taking a tour like this catamaran ride. If you didn’t know, this is one of the best places to see whales in Costa Rica, so, if you’re lucky, you can also come across these marine giants.
Best hotels in Jacó, Costa Rica
As I mentioned, there are different types of Costa Rican hotels in the town of Jacó, so here are my suggestions for different budgets:
- Best Western Jaco Beach: This is one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Costa Rica, so you can pay an initial fee to enjoy unlimited meals, services, and facilities. The resort’s buffet restaurant, El Puerto, serves both national and international dishes and has an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool and beach so you can dine alfresco. There is also direct beach access, so you can head straight to the ocean from the comfort of your room.
- Selina Jacó: This is another widely recommended hostel in Costa Rica, so keep it in mind if you’re on a budget. The property offers shared rooms, private rooms, and family rooms for families with small children. Community features include an outdoor pool and a sun terrace. While the hostel doesn’t have a restaurant, you can always head to the shared kitchen and prepare a meal.
- Jaco Bay 4601: This accommodation is great for travelers who prefer the flexibility of staying in an apartment. Each of these rentals features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, and a well-equipped kitchen, so you can enjoy all the comforts of home. These apartments are very close to the beach, and there is an outdoor pool for those who prefer lounging poolside.
Best restaurants in Jacó
Trying typical Costa Rican dishes is, without a doubt, a fundamental part of your travel plan. In Jacó, you will find many places to eat, but I recommend, at least once, sitting down to enjoy lunch or dinner at a soda. Sodas are small local restaurants serving delicious homemade food. They’re generally run by their owners, so they’re super cozy places to enjoy hearty meals at an affordable price.
Here are my top soda recommendations:
- Soda Garabito: Located on Jacó’s main street, this is one of the most recommended restaurants in Costa Rica. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and specializes in fresh fruit juices and international dishes.
- Soda Jacó Rústico: This buffet-style restaurant is just 100 meters (330 ft) from Jacó Beach. For a fixed price, you can choose from a wide variety of lunch or dinner options, plus unlimited drinks.
Map of Jacó, Costa Rica
Below, you’ll find a map of Jacó, Costa Rica, with all the attractions I mentioned above. Additionally, I recommend consulting our map of Costa Rica to locate other important tourist places on the way to Jacó.
I hope this guide to Jacó, Costa Rica, helps you plan your visit! I’m sure the beaches of Jacó and its surrounding areas will give you the vacation you always dreamed of. If you have any questions or want to share your experience, please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Pura Vida!
