Costa Rica
Jaco is Costa Rica's easiest beach-and-jungle base: a lively surf town on the central Pacific coast, roughly two hours from San Jose, with warm waves at the front door and rainforest, rivers and islands within an hour.
This guide covers the essentials: a guided morning in Carara National Park for scarlet macaws and monkeys, a boat tour past the giant crocodiles of the Tarcoles River, a surf lesson on Jaco Beach, the quieter and more powerful breaks of Playa Hermosa, a full day on Tortuga Island, waterfall hikes and canyoning in the hills, ziplines, ATVs and an aerial tram, a sunset cruise and a food tour. It then matches you to a hotel, from a big all-inclusive resort on the strip to a calm suite in Los Suenos and a hillside stay with views, because where you sleep decides how much of the coast you can enjoy.
Carara National Park Guided Tour with Ticket
A rainforest reserve where dry northern forest meets the humid south, famous for scarlet macaws, monkeys and sloths. A guide with a scope finds what you would walk past, and the park ticket is part of the tour.
Tarcoles River Crocodile Boat Tour
A river cruise through mangroves and mud banks lined with giant American crocodiles, plus herons, spoonbills and the occasional monkey. It is cheap, short and one of the most memorable hours on this coast.
Jaco Beach
A long curve of grey-brown sand backed by bars, restaurants and surf shops, with steady waves, warm water and Pacific sunsets. It is free, lively and the heart of everything in town.
Jaco Surf Lessons for All Levels
Learn to stand up on a board in the warm Pacific with a local instructor, then ride a gentle white-water wave to the sand. Jaco is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to take a first lesson.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
A rainforest reserve where dry northern forest meets the humid south, famous for scarlet macaws, monkeys and sloths. A guide with a scope finds what you would walk past, and the park ticket is part of the tour.
A river cruise through mangroves and mud banks lined with giant American crocodiles, plus herons, spoonbills and the occasional monkey. It is cheap, short and one of the most memorable hours on this coast.
A free roadside stop on the coast highway where huge crocodiles bask on the river banks below the bridge. Quick, cheap and a good warm-up for a boat tour, as long as you park wisely and keep your belongings with you.
FreeA long curve of grey-brown sand backed by bars, restaurants and surf shops, with steady waves, warm water and Pacific sunsets. It is free, lively and the heart of everything in town.
A dark-sand beach a short drive south of Jaco with powerful, hollow waves that attract experienced surfers and photographers. Quieter than Jaco, free to visit and better for watching than for beginners.
Learn to stand up on a board in the warm Pacific with a local instructor, then ride a gentle white-water wave to the sand. Jaco is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to take a first lesson.
A full day on a palm-fringed island in the Gulf of Nicoya, with snorkeling, a beach lunch and clear water. It involves a road transfer and a boat ride, so go for the beach, not for speed.
A guided river hike in the hills behind Jaco, wading and scrambling from one cascade to the next with swimming stops in cool natural pools. Fun, wet and best in sturdy water shoes.
A tall, thundering waterfall in the hills above Jaco, reached by a short jungle walk and ending at a cool plunge pool. A simpler, lower-cost alternative to the full river adventure.
A slow, quiet gondola ride through the rainforest canopy with a guide pointing out birds, plants and wildlife. It is the gentle, accessible way to see the treetops, with no harness required.
A series of cables strung above the jungle with sweeping views of the Pacific coast. Short safety briefing, sturdy harness and a run of fast, fun lines that suit first-timers.
A muddy, noisy, thoroughly fun ride on all-terrain vehicles through jungle trails, river crossings and hilltop lookouts above Jaco. Helmets provided, no experience needed.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Jaco beachfront strip
A large all-inclusive resort on the Jaco strip, with meals and drinks bundled into the rate and the beach, restaurants and surf shops on the doorstep. A simple choice for groups who want to budget once and relax.
Check rates →Central Jaco
A smaller hotel in Jaco that suits travellers who want a simple room, a short trip to the beach and an easy base for tours, without paying resort prices.
Check rates →Jaco
A lively, budget-friendly resort-style stay in Jaco popular with surfers and younger travellers, built around a social pool scene and easy access to the beach and the town.
Check rates →Jaco
A resort-style complex with a pool-centred layout and beach club access, popular with families and groups who want space and amenities close to Jaco's beach.
Check rates →Los Suenos, Herradura
A polished resort stay in the Los Suenos area near Herradura, with spacious suites, a marina setting and a quieter, more upscale feel than the Jaco strip.
Check rates →Hills above Jaco
A hillside hotel above Jaco with mountain and ocean views, a quieter atmosphere than the beach strip and a pool, for travellers who prefer a view to a nightlife address.
Check rates →South Jaco
A straightforward hotel on the quieter southern side of Jaco, a good fit for couples and surfers who want to be near the waves but away from the loudest part of the strip.
Check rates →Hills near Jaco
A villa-style stay in the hills near Jaco for groups and families who want space, privacy and a kitchen, with the beach and tours a short drive away.
Check rates →Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Carara National Park Guided Tour with TicketStay
Hotel South BeachSouth Jaco
Do
Tarcoles River Crocodile Boat TourStay
Best Western Jaco Beach All-Inclusive ResortJaco beachfront strip
Do
Jaco BeachStay
Jaco Laguna Resort and Beach ClubJaco
What to book ahead in Jaco, how to get there from San Jose, how many days you need and how surf, wildlife and waterfalls fit together.
How the main parts of the Jaco area differ, from the lively beach strip to quiet hillsides and the resort community of Los Suenos, and which hotels suit which traveller.
A three-day plan for Jaco that mixes Carara wildlife, crocodiles, a surf lesson, waterfalls and a sunset, with timing tips and ideas for rainy days.
A guide to the food of Jaco, from breakfast gallo pinto and sodas to fresh fish, ceviche, fruit and coffee, with tips on prices, tipping and dietary needs.
How the dry and green seasons shape a Jaco trip, including weather, crowds, prices, waves, wildlife and waterfalls, with advice on when to go for each interest.
The best day trips from Jaco, from Carara National Park and the Tarcoles crocodiles to Tortuga Island, the hills and the sea, with timing and transport tips.
