Jaco Tourism

Sand glistening in the sun, turquoise waters, and perfect waves beckon you. At any time of the year, the town is buzzing with tourists during the day. Late afternoons are meant for fiesta and relaxation. And night time is party time. The town of Jaco is Nature’s paradise. You will be lost in the attractions Jaco has to offer. There is so much Jaco has in store for you, beyond the surf. Fine dining, shopping, spas, and extremely attractive tours for a perfect vacation.

The people of Jaco welcomes tourists with open arms and is extremely hospitality and gentle. As the beach closest to San Jose, Jaco is known for its festive atmosphere at night and easy going attitude amongst the locals. With beach life so ingrained in the local culture also known as Tico Culture, it’s no surprise that the area is haven to surfers and swimmers a like. But the beauty of Jaco also lies in its tropical rainforest. There is a variety of treks leading you through these mysterious rainforests and coastal walks where you meander and discover life under the sea while snorkelling.

Travellers should be aware that there is often a strong rip tide, and that swimming should be done with caution. However the guides take extreme precaution to ensure security for your protection.

Several excellent Jaco surf camps give with lessons throughout the year. Surfers of all skill levels head to Jaco to try out the waters and since they have protected areas and extremely skilled guides, it is very safe even for beginners. The beach runs for 2.5 miles and is one of the most visited coastal destinations in Costa Rica.

Jaco has other services ranging from post office, health centres, and branches of major banks. Budget hotels, surf shops, restaurants, and hotels all cater to tourists with a warm smile. There’s not many attractions for sightseeing in Jaco. Activities include surfing, swimming, deep sea fishing, ATV tours, bicycle rentals, horseback excursions, crocodile safari, national parks and reserves, boat and kayak excursions, white-water rafting, canopy tours and popular night life. North of Jaco at Playa (Beach) Herradura, provides a more serene environment. South of Jaco is Playa Hermosa, the beach with black sand is great for beachcombers and surfers.  This beach is also home to Olive Ridley turtles that come ashore to nest every year.

The natural reserves such as the Carara Biological Reserve is open to visitors to view the spectacular wildlife. Every morning the scarlet macaws, that rest in the mangroves come out to feed and you can see them till sunset. The rainforest has a diversity of flora and fauna, from caiman to white faced monkeys, peccaries, coatimundis and a large assortment of birds. The park opens at 7.00 am and closes at 5.00 pm. The entrance fee is $6.

The Tarcoles River (RioTarcoles), which borders the park and flows into the Pacific Ocean, is an amazing place to witness the American crocodile close up. Manuel Antonio National park, Punta Leona Wild life Refuge are good places to spot wildlife of the rainforest.

Jaco tours have a big reputation for partying and nightlife, especially at it’s beach.The atmosphere here is very relaxed, and the locals are welcoming. But you have to be careful about drugs, crime and prostitution. Your safety depends primarily on you so be aware and use common sense should any situation become undesirable.

Jaco is very travel friendly overall, with international cuisine with plenty of internet cafes. As Jacó lies on the seashore, climate is normally humid, with relative humidity around 80%, reaching 90% in June. Jaco is fairly small, and it's easy to see the entire town in one day. But you can also just as easily take your time and spend several days exploring, shopping, going to the beach, surfing, dining out, going to bars, and taking tours in the Jaco area.  Surfing and Boogie Boarding are extremely popular. The beach breaks and sand bottom have good high tides, perfect for such activities in the ocean.

In Jaco do not flash money or valuables and carry only what you need. But for most people traveling to Jaco, it is a charming beach town where there are lots of options for fun tourist attractions. At night is advisable to take taxis and avoid walking by yourself on the street or on the beach, especially if you had a late night drinking session.

Since this is such a friendly town, the attractions are not meant only for the physically fit. It extends to senior citizens as well. The guides are bilingual and patient and knowledgeable. They will go out their way to ensure your vacation is a trip to paradise.

There are recycling stations throughout the city to keep it clean. The cuisine in Jaco ranges from Costa Rican to Jamaican. Indian food and Asian cuisine is also available and Pizza and Pasta is also a local favourite. The seafood is exceptional and there are restaurants serving grilled food and ‘catch of the day’ especially when you did the fishing!

Essential travel information and Jaco tips for your visit

  • There are many excellent day trips from Jaco to locations that are worthwhile to see.
  • Be sure not to flash money or valuables and carry only what you need.

Jaco Trip Planner

Plan your customized day by day trip plan for Jaco. Choose from various experinces categories as adventure, romantic and family and kids friendly for your trip using using Jaco trip planner.

The best tours and activities in the city, guided by experts to give you a local insight to the best of Jaco