15 Best Things to Do in Jaco, Costa Rica (2026 Guide)

Jaco is the closest proper beach town to San Jose, and that single fact explains almost everything about it. It is a 90 minute drive from the capital, it has a long grey-sand surf beach, and it has more bars, casinos and rental towers per block than anywhere else on the Costa Rican coast. There are plenty of things to do in Jaco, but it helps to know what kind of town you are walking into.

We have stay here while visiting friends, driven the coast road repeatedly, and stopped at the Tarcoles crocodile bridge more times than we can count. This guide covers the best of the town and the far better things within an hour of it, plus an honest read on whether Jaco is the right base for your trip.

Jaco at a Glance

Is Jaco Worth Visiting?

Honestly, it depends what you want. Jaco is not a quiet undiscovered beach town, and anyone selling it that way has not been recently. It is a busy, slightly rough-edged town with a wide beach, a real surf scene, an active nightlife strip and a visible casino and party culture. The beach is grey volcanic sand rather than postcard white, and the water is often churned up.

What Jaco does better than anywhere else is access. It is the closest surfable beach town to the international airport, which makes it an excellent first night or last night on a Costa Rica itinerary. It is also genuinely one of the best places in the country to take your first surf lesson, and it puts Carara National Park, the Tarcoles River and Manuel Antonio within easy reach.

If you have two weeks and want rainforest lodges and empty beaches, spend your nights elsewhere and pass through Jaco. If you have a short trip, want to surf, and value being 90 minutes from the airport, it earns its place.

Best Things to Do in Jaco, Costa Rica

Here is how the best things to do in Jaco compare, including which ones cost nothing.

Two things stand out from that list. The cheapest experiences here are consistently among the best, and the highest-rated ones are mostly a short drive out of town rather than in it.

Surf at Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is where most people in Costa Rica catch their first wave. The break is a forgiving beach break, the water is warm year round, and there are more surf schools per square metre here than almost anywhere in the country. The waves are consistent enough to learn on and rarely so big that they are intimidating.

Lessons run around USD $50 to $70 for two hours including the board. Tico Surf Lessons and Tortuga Surf Camp are both long-established local operations. Board rental on its own is roughly USD $15 to $20 a day along the beachfront.

Serious surfers head 5km south to Playa Hermosa, which picks up much bigger, heavier swell and hosts international competitions. It is not a beginner beach and the rips are strong, but it is one of the best waves on this coast and worth watching even if you are not paddling out.

Best Beaches in and Around Jaco

Jaco makes a good base for beach hopping, and the beaches within 20 minutes of town vary far more than you would expect.

Jaco Beach

The main event, a 4km stretch of grey volcanic sand backed by the town. It is best at either end, where the crowds thin out. Swim with care, because the rip currents here are genuine and there are no lifeguards along most of it.

Playa Hermosa

Five kilometres south and a completely different beach: wilder, emptier and heavier surf. It is a protected turtle nesting site, and between July and December you may see olive ridley turtles coming ashore. Note this is the Puntarenas Playa Hermosa, not the calmer Guanacaste beach of the same name.

Playa Herradura

A sheltered horseshoe bay 10 minutes north, calmer than Jaco and better for swimming and families, with the Los Suenos marina at one end. We have covered it in detail in our guide to Playa Herradura.

Playa Blanca

The quiet one, tucked into the Punta Leona area north of town, with pale sand and calm clear water that is unusual for this coast. Access runs through the gated Punta Leona resort, which charges non-guests a day-pass fee for entry.

Visit Carara National Park

Carara National Park sits 20 minutes north of Jaco and is the single best reason to base yourself here. It marks the transition zone between the dry forests of the north and the humid rainforests of the south, which gives it an unusually high concentration of species.

It is the most reliable place in Costa Rica to see wild scarlet macaws. Go early, around opening at 7am, when the wildlife is active and the tour buses have not arrived. The universal access trail is flat, paved and genuinely good for anyone with mobility limits or a pushchair. Hiring a guide at the gate roughly triples what you will actually spot.

Stop at the Tarcoles River Crocodile Bridge

The bridge over the Tarcoles River is one of the most reliable wildlife stops in the country, and it is completely free. Look over the railing and you will usually see a dozen or more American crocodiles, several of them well over four metres, lying on the sandbanks below.

It takes 10 minutes and it is directly on the road between Jaco and San Jose, so there is no reason to skip it. Park in the designated lots at either end rather than on the shoulder, and do not leave anything visible in the car. We have written up the stop in full in our Tarcoles River crocodile bridge guide.

Hike to the El Miro Ruins

El Miro is the abandoned shell of a hillside mansion above the south end of town, slowly being reclaimed by jungle and covered in street art. The walk up takes about 30 to 40 minutes on a rough track and delivers the best view over Jaco Beach and the bay.

Go in the late afternoon for sunset, but bring a headtorch for the walk down and go in a group. It is free, and it is the best thing in Jaco that nobody charges for.

Take a Day Trip to Isla Tortuga

Isla Tortuga is the white-sand, turquoise-water island that Jaco itself is not. Day trips run from nearby Herradura and combine the boat ride across the Gulf of Nicoya with snorkelling and a beach barbecue.

It is a full day and it is not cheap, typically USD $100 to $140 per person, but the contrast with Jaco Beach is dramatic. Browse Isla Tortuga day trips to compare operators and departure points.

Go Ziplining or Ride the Aerial Tram

The hills behind Jaco are full of canopy operations, with zipline circuits and an aerial tram that carries you slowly through the canopy rather than firing you across it. The tram is the better option for anyone nervous about heights or travelling with small children or older parents.

Most tours run about half a day with hotel pickup included. Compare zipline and aerial tram tours near Jaco.

Go Horseback Riding

Horseback riding here splits into two experiences: along the beach at sunset, or up into the hills and jungle behind town to a waterfall. Both usually run two to three hours, and the jungle rides tend to be the more interesting ride while the beach rides win on photographs.

Chase the Waterfalls Near Jaco

There is no waterfall in Jaco itself, but several sit within an hour. Bijagual (Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva) is the tallest in the area at around 180m, reached on a steep hike near Carara. Pura Vida Gardens has easier access and landscaped grounds, and the Turu Ba Ri area combines falls with adventure activities.

Bring proper shoes for Bijagual. The trail down is steep, slippery in the wet season, and the climb back out is the hard part.

Go Bird Watching

This stretch of coast is one of the best birding areas in Costa Rica, thanks to Carara and the Tarcoles river mouth. Scarlet macaws are the headline, but the mangroves hold roseate spoonbills, boat-billed herons, kingfishers and dozens of migratory species.

A mangrove boat tour on the Tarcoles is the most productive few hours you can spend, and early morning is far better than afternoon.

Watch the Sunset from a Catamaran

Sunset catamaran cruises leave from Los Suenos marina at Herradura and run about four hours, usually with snorkelling, dinner and an open bar. It is a touristy way to spend an evening and it is also genuinely lovely, because this coast faces due west and the sunsets are reliably excellent.

Best Day Trips from Jaco

This is where Jaco really earns its keep. The town is a practical launchpad for a lot of central Pacific Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio is the standout, about 90 minutes south, combining an accessible national park with the best beaches on this coast. Our guide to visiting Manuel Antonio covers timing and tickets. We have also reviewed the best eco hotels in Manuel Antonio for anyone staying the night rather than driving back.

How to Get to Jaco

Jaco is about 95km from San Jose and the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours on Route 27 and the coastal highway, which are among the better roads in the country. Shuttles run from San Jose and the main Costa Rica airports for around USD $50 per person, public buses take closer to 3 hours for a few dollars, and private transfers run USD $120 to $150 per vehicle.

Renting a car is the right call if you plan to do the day trips, and this is one region where a 2WD is genuinely fine in dry season. Read our tips for driving in Costa Rica first, because the rules of the road here are their own subject.

Getting Around Jaco

Jaco town is walkable end to end in about 30 minutes, and most visitors get around on foot, by bicycle or in the local tuk-tuks that run up and down the main strip for a couple of dollars. Taxis are easy to find and ATV rental is popular, though the town is small enough that you rarely need one.

Best Time to Visit Jaco

The dry season from December to April brings reliable sun, calm mornings and the biggest crowds and prices. It is the best window for beach days and day trips, with Christmas and Easter the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year.

The green season from May to November is cheaper, greener and much quieter, with rain usually arriving as a heavy afternoon downpour rather than an all-day washout. For surfing it is arguably better, because the southern swell is bigger from May through October. September and October are the wettest months on this coast.

Where to Stay in Jaco

Jaco has a lot of beds and a wide quality range. These are the ones worth knowing about, all verified as operating in July 2026.

Socialtel Jaco (formerly Selina Jaco)

The central social hostel in town, now operating as Socialtel Jaco after Selina wound down its global operation. Same building, same walkable location a block from the beach, with a pool right on the sand and a surf break out front. A good pick for solo travellers and anyone who wants people to talk to.

Macaw Lodge

Macaw Lodge is the antidote to Jaco. It sits up in the hills near Carara on a private reserve, runs largely off-grid on solar, grows much of its own food and has no nightlife whatsoever. You need a car and some patience on the access road, and in return you get rainforest and silence.

DoceLunas and Croc’s Resort

DoceLunas is a quiet boutique hotel across the highway from the beach with big gardens and a yoga studio, and it is the calmest option in town. Croc’s Resort and Casino is the large full-service choice on the beach, with several pools and, as advertised, a casino. Browse all Jaco accommodation on Booking to compare current rates.

Where to Eat in Jaco

Jaco eats better than its reputation suggests, with a real spread from sodas to seafood. Every place below was verified as open in July 2026.

Jerah

Jerah is the highest-rated restaurant in Jaco and deserves it, a small Mediterranean-leaning kitchen doing careful, generous plates. Book ahead in high season, because it is not big.

Green Room

Green Room has been a Jaco institution for years, an open-air spot doing bowls, fresh juices, good breakfasts and a solid vegetarian selection. It is the reliable all-day option.

El Hicaco, Tacobar and Lemon Zest

El Hicaco is the beachfront seafood standard, pricier than most of the town and worth it for whole fish with your feet almost in the sand. Tacobar is the casual counterpoint, famous for fish tacos and a salad bar served in a hollowed pineapple. Lemon Zest is the chef-led fine dining option, upstairs and easy to walk past.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jaco, Costa Rica worth visiting?

Yes, if you want surf, nightlife and easy access from San Jose airport. Jaco is a convenient, busy beach town rather than a quiet retreat. Its best assets are the beginner surf, the nightlife and its position within an hour of Carara National Park, the Tarcoles crocodiles and Manuel Antonio.

What are the best free things to do in Jaco?

The hike to the El Miro ruins for the view over the bay, all of the beaches including Playa Hermosa, and the Tarcoles River crocodile bridge, where you can watch wild crocodiles from the road for nothing.

How many days do you need in Jaco?

One to two nights suits most travellers. That is enough for a surf lesson, a beach day and one day trip. Jaco works best as a first or last stop on a Costa Rica itinerary rather than a week-long base.

How far is Jaco from San Jose airport?

About 95km, or roughly 1.5 hours by car on Route 27. Shuttles cost around USD $50 per person, private transfers USD $120 to $150 per vehicle, and public buses take about 3 hours.

Is it safe to swim at Jaco Beach?

Swim with caution. Jaco Beach has strong rip currents and most of it is unpatrolled. Stay close to shore, swim where other people are, and if you are caught in a current, swim parallel to the beach rather than against it. Playa Herradura is the calmer option nearby.

Is Jaco good for beginner surfers?

It is one of the best places in Costa Rica to learn. Jaco Beach is a forgiving beach break with warm water year round and a large number of established surf schools. Lessons run about USD $50 to $70 for two hours including the board.

Final Thoughts

Jaco is not the prettiest town in Costa Rica and it does not pretend to be. What it offers is convenience, a genuinely good beginner wave, a lively night out and a location that puts some of the country’s best wildlife within half an hour. Treat it as a base and a launchpad rather than the destination itself, spend your days at Carara, Tarcoles and Manuel Antonio, and it makes a great deal of sense. Looking for somewhere quieter to build the rest of the trip around? Our guide to the best places to stay in Costa Rica covers the alternatives.

Have you been to Jaco? Did it surprise you, or confirm what you expected?

READ NEXT: The Best Beaches in Costa Rica