Jaco Beach
- Costa Rica
Durations
1 Week
Difficulty
Easy
Min Age
0
Jaco Beach
Enjoy fun, sunshine, surf, and nightlife on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific. We’re the first to admit it. Jaco is not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s Costa Rica’s main beach resort town, on the Central Pacific coast, only 1.5 hours away from San Jose. That means Jaco can get crowded at weekends, during holidays, and in the high season. But here’s the thing. Jaco is fun! There are tons of restaurants – including some excellent ones, and bars and clubs galore. Jaco sits right on the beach and it’s a perfect base for surfers, anglers, and party people looking for fun. We love Jaco, and we hope you will too! Below, we highlight some of our favorite aspects of Jaco:
Highlights
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Bars, restaurants, clubs, and shops
Costa Rica is remarkable for its pristine beaches and nature. But sometimes you want some life, some action, and some energy. -
The surf
Jaco is a surf town. That's what put it on the map. Staying here gives you access to other beaches, like Playa Hermosa next door, which hosts international competitions every year. -
A center of Costa Rica sportfishing
Jaco is only a few minutes away from the Los Sueños Marina, arguably the capital of the Costa Rica sportfishing scene.
Convenience and Lots of Activities
Because of its location, less than two hours from San Jose, Jaco might be the most popular beach town in Costa Rica. Locals and tourists use Jaco as a perfect, convenient beach weekend getaway and vacation destination.
For this reason, Jaco has a reputation as Costa Rica’s premier party town. And while a reputation like this can be off-putting for some, for many other people it’s not! Lots and lots of fun enjoying the beach bars, the clubs, and the plethora of fantastic restaurants that have sprung up in town over the years. But it’s not all about nightlife in Jaco. The town can also accommodate those searching for a more relaxed time, and both the northern and southern ends of Jaco Beach are quiet and family-friendly. If you’re looking for a warm beach and an easy-going time, Jaco is great for that too.
For this reason, Jaco has a reputation as Costa Rica’s premier party town. And while a reputation like this can be off-putting for some, for many other people it’s not! Lots and lots of fun enjoying the beach bars, the clubs, and the plethora of fantastic restaurants that have sprung up in town over the years. But it’s not all about nightlife in Jaco. The town can also accommodate those searching for a more relaxed time, and both the northern and southern ends of Jaco Beach are quiet and family-friendly. If you’re looking for a warm beach and an easy-going time, Jaco is great for that too.
Best Time to Travel to Jaco
Any time is great for traveling to Jaco. Literally. It’s a typical hot, Costa Rican, tropical beach community.
Suppose you’re looking for the all-out party vibe in Jaco, time your stay over a weekend, although in reality, something’s always happening, especially in the high season. On the other hand, those looking for a more tranquil Jaco might want to come in early midweek, say Monday to Wednesday.
During high season (December-April), weekends can get hectic, and the town fills up, so if that’s not your scene, stay somewhere a little quieter than Jaco at that time. Conversely, in September and October, you might find some places closed, especially midweek. But, again, that’s Jaco’s “quiet time.”
During high season (December-April), weekends can get hectic, and the town fills up, so if that’s not your scene, stay somewhere a little quieter than Jaco at that time. Conversely, in September and October, you might find some places closed, especially midweek. But, again, that’s Jaco’s “quiet time.”
Activities
ATV Riding
Campfire
Hiking
Fishing
Exploring
Photography
Navigating
Rafting
Weather in Jaco
Temperatures in Jaco stay consistent all year. Expect temperatures around the early-to-mid 80s F (late 20s/early 30s C) year-round. The big question is whether it’s raining or not.
You can expect little rain from December to April, but these soon dry up as January gets underway. From then until April, it’s hot and sunny. May is when the rains begin, and you can expect a daily afternoon shower until August. September and October can get very wet, with things easing off in November. As in most other beach communities in Costa Rica, humidity in Jaco remains high all year.
You can expect little rain from December to April, but these soon dry up as January gets underway. From then until April, it’s hot and sunny. May is when the rains begin, and you can expect a daily afternoon shower until August. September and October can get very wet, with things easing off in November. As in most other beach communities in Costa Rica, humidity in Jaco remains high all year.
Is Jaco Safe?
Overall, Jaco is safe. But remember, this is a party town, a resort town. Things can get hairy at night if you’re not so street smart. Don’t wander around on your own late at night, don’t be visibly drunk, don’t buy drugs, and don’t flash the cash. If you act smart, you’ll be fine, like most other party towns in the world.
Top Restaurants in Jaco
There a lot of good choices in Jaco. Check out some of our favorites!
- Ohana Sushi Tapas Bar Love sushi? Adore tapas? You'll love this laid-back place.
- The Beer House Famous for its solid craft beers, this place also offers excellent bar food.
- Ridiculous Burgers If you love a gourmet burger you'll love the ridiculously food here.
- Amara Costa Rica A veggie-friendly seafood joint in the center of town with great prices.
- Jerah Authentic Thai Cuisine Great Thai food is rare in Costa Rica, so stick to it like glue when you find a good place.
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
Gallery
How to Get to Jaco
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Jaco.
Distance & Driving Time to Jaco
From SJO Airport: 54 miles (87 kilometers), about 2 hours.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport “meet and greet” service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you’re all set when you arrive in-country – just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.
If you’re planning to drive to Jaco from the airport, give yourself about two hours of driving time, plus an hour or so to arrange your car rental. Also, make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not drive at night – something we don’t recommend.
If you’re planning to drive to Jaco from the airport, give yourself about two hours of driving time, plus an hour or so to arrange your car rental. Also, make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not drive at night – something we don’t recommend.
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