Best Western Jaco Beach All-Inclusive Resort

Best Western Jaco Beach All-Inclusive Resort is one of the best-known big hotels in Jaco, and its appeal is simple: you pay one rate and the food and drinks are largely taken care of. That removes the daily question of where to eat and how much to spend, which suits families, groups of friends and couples who would rather spend the day on the sand than comparing menus. The resort sits in the middle of the town's beach strip, so the sea is a short walk away, the surf schools meet nearby and the main road of restaurants, bars, supermarkets and tour desks is outside the gate. In a town where many visitors stay in small hotels or rented apartments, a full-service property with a pool, restaurants and on-site activities stands out. All-inclusive resorts vary in what they cover, so read the plan carefully when you book. Typical packages include breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort restaurants, snacks and house drinks at the bar, and some activities or entertainment, while premium drinks, tours, spa services and off-site meals are usually extra. If you plan to eat out in town or take several day trips, check that you are not paying for meals you will not use. The sensible way to judge value is to count the meals you expect to eat on the property, add the drinks and compare with the cost of eating out in Jaco.

Location is the strongest card. Jaco's main street runs parallel to the sea, and the resort puts you in range of the whole town on foot: the beach, the surf lessons, the food tour meeting points, the street art and the evening restaurants. Tour operators pick up from the area daily, so day trips to Carara National Park, the crocodiles of the Tarcoles River, Tortuga Island and the waterfalls are simple to arrange.

The trade-off is noise. The strip is lively at night, and rooms facing the street can hear music and traffic, so ask for a quieter room away from the road if you are a light sleeper.

Think about who it suits. Families like the predictability of meals and the pool, groups appreciate the shared costs, and couples who want a low-effort beach holiday find it easy. Travellers who prefer a boutique feel, a hillside view or a secluded beach may be happier elsewhere, and so may anyone who likes to explore local restaurants for every meal. The town has excellent small places to eat, and an all-inclusive plan can make it tempting to skip them, so consider building in a few nights out.