Jaco's food scene is broader than its party reputation suggests. Alongside the surf bars and international restaurants, you can eat very well on traditional Costa Rican dishes, fresh seafood and tropical fruit, often at modest prices. This guide explains what to look for, how to order and how to use a food tour to get your bearings.
Breakfast
The classic Costa Rican breakfast is gallo pinto, a mix of rice and black beans cooked with onion, pepper and cilantro, usually served with eggs, fried plantain, fresh cheese and sometimes sour cream or tortillas. Coffee is strong and often served with milk. Many hotels include a breakfast, but a morning walk to a local spot for gallo pinto and fresh fruit juice is worth doing at least once. Fruit in Jaco is excellent, with pineapple, papaya, mango and watermelon at roadside stands.
The casado
The standard lunch is the casado, a plate that includes rice, beans, a salad, fried plantain and a choice of protein such as chicken, beef, pork or fish. It is filling, inexpensive and found at small family restaurants called sodas. Eating at a soda is the easiest way to taste everyday food and support local families. Ask what is fresh that day and whether the meal includes a drink.
Seafood and ceviche
Because Jaco sits on the Pacific, fresh fish is a highlight. Look for ceviche, made with raw fish cured in lime juice with onion, pepper and cilantro, as well as grilled fish with garlic, fish tacos and seafood rice. Quality depends on freshness, so choose busy places with high turnover, and ask about the catch of the day. Coastal restaurants near the beach are pleasant for sunsets, though prices on the strip are higher than in side streets.
Snacks and street food
Look for empanadas, patacones, which are fried green plantains served with beans or dip, tamales around the holidays, tortillas with cheese and fresh coconut water sold from a cooler. Small bakeries sell sweet and savoury pastries, and ice cream and fruit cups are common on the beach. Wash fruit or choose pre-cut fruit from busy vendors, and carry small bills.
Coffee and chocolate
Costa Rica is known for coffee, and cafes in Jaco serve good local beans. If you want to learn more, ask your hotel about coffee or chocolate experiences in the hills, which can add depth to your trip. Local chocolate is often sold in small shops and makes a good souvenir.
Drinks
Fresh juices, known as frescos, are made with fruit, water or milk and sugar, and they are refreshing in the heat. Local beer is widely available, and cocktails are served in beach bars. Tap water is considered drinkable in many parts of Costa Rica, but visitors often prefer bottled or filtered water, so ask your hotel for advice. A reusable bottle reduces plastic.
Prices and tipping
Sodas are inexpensive, restaurants on the strip cost more and seafood places vary with the catch. A service charge and tax are often added to restaurant bills, and extra tipping is optional. Check your bill, carry small bills and ask whether cards are accepted. US dollars are widely taken, but change may be given in colones.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian options are available, often built from rice, beans, plantains, salads and cheese, and many restaurants can adapt dishes. If you have allergies, tell the staff clearly, and carry a card in Spanish that explains your needs. Food tours can often accommodate dietary requirements if you tell the operator in advance.
Using a food tour
A guided walking tour is a good way to taste a range of dishes in one evening and learn how to order. It also gives you recommendations for later meals. Combine it with a street art walk or a sunset on the beach for a cultural and relaxed first day.
Eating with the seasons
Fruit changes with the months, and the green season brings abundant mango, pineapple and other tropical treats at roadside stands. Seafood is available all year, though weather can affect the catch. Ask staff what is especially good that day, try one new dish at each meal and leave room for dessert, since tres leches cake, flan and fresh fruit with cream are common local sweets. Finish a long day with a cold fresco on the sand and watch the sunset roll in.
