Things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica

Want to know some of the best things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica? We’ve got you covered! Jaco is one of the most developed beaches in Costa Rica. It is packed with many things to do on your visit. The town is located on the Pacific coast and only an hour drive from San Jose. Making it an easy beach to travel to during your stay in Costa Rica. From shopping on the main street to adventure tours, there is something for every traveler to do in Jaco. In this post, we’ve compiled some of the best things to do during your stay in Jaco, Costa Rica.

Surfing is one of the most popular activities to do in Costa Rica. Jaco beach is considered to be one of the best beaches for beginner surfers due to the calm waves. More experienced surfers can head 15 minutes south to Playa Hermosa to experience more challenging waves. There are plenty of surf school and camps around town that offer lessons for beginners. Some good ones to check out are Tortuga Surf School, School of the World Surf Camp, and Surfer Factory Surf School.

One of the best views in Jaco can be found just a short hike up Miro Mountain. The entrance to the hike is on the south end of town across from the gas station. Up a short trail, an abandoned building decorated in graffiti can be found and a spectacular view of Jaco. It is also common to see monkeys, dart frogs, toucans, scarlet macaws, and beautiful butterflies on the hike. Be sure to bring water on your trek though because the hike is uphill and can get hot!

If you’re looking for a little more adventure on your trip, there are plenty of ATV, zip line, and horseback riding tours offered around town. There are even options for combination tours that let you experience multiple activities throughout the day. If adrenaline is what you’re looking for be sure to not miss out on these exhilarating tours. Plus all you’ll also get to experience the beautiful nature and pristine views on your tours. Some popular tour companies in Jaco are Adventure Tours Costa Rica, AXR Jaco, Delluz Vacations and Zuma Tours Jaco.

Jaco is a great place to enjoy an amazing meal day or night. The town offers a diverse range of food where anyone can find something they enjoy. Chefs from all over the world have moved to Jaco to open restaurants for tourists to experience. Jaco also has many fine dining restaurants if you are looking to treat yourself, while also having many affordable options. No matter what your budget is, you are sure to find something great. Some restaurants we recommend are, The Pizza Shop, Taco Bar, Green Room, Tsunami Sushi, and Los Amigos.

On the drive from San Jose to Jaco you can see crocodiles from the famous Tárcoles Bridge. There are also tours available to see them even closer. Tour guides will even get out of the boat and feed the crocodiles by hand! Besides seeing the amazing crocodiles up close, you also get the chance to see beautiful views and other wildlife. The river contains the largest concentration of crocodiles in the Americas. If you are interested in seeing these large reptiles, be sure to stop at  Tárcoles Bridge on your way Jaco.

Manuel Antonio is about an hour drive from Jaco and perfect if your planning a day trip to experience the beautiful rain forests around Costa Rica. The park is one of the most popular destinations in the country to experience the nature and pristine beaches Costa Rica has to offer. The park features dense rain forest jungles, white sand beaches, and coral reefs. You can hike the park on your own or hire a guide to get the most out of your experience. Manuel Antonio is one of the best places to see sloths, monkeys, macaws, and hundreds of other bird species and is easily hiked within one day.

Finally, no matter what kind of traveler you are, there are numerous experiences to be had in Jaco. It is a great place to for families, friends, or solo travelers to have a great time. In short, Jaco Beach is one of the most popular cities to visit because of the range of activities available and accessibility of everything. The beautiful beach and lush rain forests will make for an unforgettable experience.