Jaco, Costa Rica
By Aaron Bailey · Last updated
Jaco is a lively beach town known for its consistent surf breaks, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to San José. This popular destination offers a perfect blend of adventure activities, beachfront dining, and easy access to Carara National Park.
Aaron's Notes
Jaco has a somewhat sketchy past, that's quickly changing. It was known for hard partying, but in the last 10 years has become a vibrant destination for all travelers. The beach isn't that great in town, so head to nearby Playa Hermosa.
Top attractions & tours
Playa Jacó is a long, dark-sand beach with reliable beach-break surf, and it's the closest proper surf town to San José — about 90 minutes by car. Dozens of schools and board rentals line the main strip; waves are consistent year-round.
Just north, Carara National Park protects one of Central America's last scarlet-macaw strongholds. A guided morning walk on the Laguna Meándrica trail almost guarantees macaws, trogons, and occasional crocodiles in the river below.
The Tárcoles River bridge, ten minutes before Jacó if you're driving from San José, is a famous (and free) spot to look down on wild crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. Playa Hermosa, just south, hosts pro surf contests with much bigger waves than Jacó.
Local picks
Jacó's food scene is better than its reputation. Graffiti Resto Café, Lemon Zest, and Tacobar are longtime favorites; Green Room does a great breakfast. Beachfront El Barco stays open late and catches the sunset.
For nightlife, Jacó is the loudest beach town in Costa Rica — bars and clubs along the main strip keep going until 2–3 am. If that's not your scene, hotels north toward Playa Herradura or south toward Hermosa offer a far quieter base.
Playa Herradura marina is where sportfishing charters launch, and the beach is calmer than Jacó itself. The upscale Los Sueños resort has a few restaurants open to outside diners.
Weather & climate
Jacó's climate is central-Pacific tropical. Daytime highs run in the upper 80s°F; nights stay in the mid 70s. Humidity is high year-round but trade winds keep the beach comfortable.
December to April is dry and sunny — the town's busiest and best beach weather. The dry season in Jacó is less extreme than in Guanacaste, so the surrounding hills stay greener.
Green season runs May through November with heavy afternoon rain, peaking in September and October. Morning surf sessions are usually unaffected.
Monthly climate
Safety considerations
Jacó has more of an urban edge than most Costa Rican beach towns. Petty theft from parked cars and unattended beach bags is common, and the late-night bar scene brings the issues that come with any party town. Use hotel safes and walk in groups after midnight.
Rip currents at Playa Jacó are the main ocean risk — ask your surf school about the day's conditions. Traffic on the coastal Route 34 around the town can be chaotic; use the pedestrian bridges and don't walk the shoulder at night.
Getting around
Jacó is long and linear along one main avenue; walking between your hotel, the beach, and dinner is usually fine. Bike and ATV rentals fill the rest of the town.
Uber works in Jacó and is typically cheaper than taxis for longer trips (say, to Herradura marina or out to Carara). For getting to and from San José, direct shared shuttles (Interbus, Gray Line) run daily at around $50.
When to visit
Mid-December through April brings Jacó's best weather and most energy — good surf, full bars, warm sea. Weekends throughout the dry season can feel like a domestic-tourist city-escape, especially at Christmas and Easter.
Green season is quieter and greener. May and November offer a solid compromise — afternoon rain only, discounted rooms, still-good surf. Avoid September and October unless you don't mind tropical downpours.