Tourists mainly visit Jaco, Costa Rica to relax and rewind. Others look for activities on the famous beaches and in the lush jungles. This sunny paradise on the Pacific coast is a booming beach town and an incredible travel destination for a family vacation. This post answers essential questions that tourists frequently ask before making their trip.
Where is Jaco, Costa Rica on a map?
Your Costa Rica visit is never complete without visiting Jaco, Costa Rica. It happens to be one of the most developed beach towns in Costa Rica. The hills full of lush green jungles and farm pastures make Jaco location unique. The place is famous for its long grey beach with a backdrop of palm trees. You will also find boutique shops, hotels, restaurants & bars, and condo complexes here and there. Jaco bustles throughout the day and night with its nightlife, adult resorts, and various options for adult vacations.
It takes one and half hours to reach Jaco from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). One can also reach Jaco by bus via San Jose. The latitude of Jaco is 9. 6166642 and the longitude of Jaco is -84.6333308 in Decimal Degree Coordinates. And in Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds, the latitude of Jaco is 9º36’59.99” N and its longitude is -84º37’59.99 W.
Being on the Central Pacific Coast, it has a tropical climate. Its average lower temperature varies from 24.5ºC to 26.2ºC (76.1ºF to 79.2ºF), and the average higher temperature varies from 28.1ºC to 30.4ºC (82.6ºF to 86.7ºF).
Is Jaco, Costa Rica safe for tourists?
With the best all-inclusive resorts, Jaco, Costa Rica is an incredible vacation destination. Quite a large number of visitors swarm the place during the high season. One can say, with common sense, that Jaco, Costa Rica is safe for tourists.
The place has a unique combination of various activities for nature lovers. Although Costa Rica is a safe country to visit, one needs to be cautious and trust the gut feeling. If you happen to be a solo woman traveler, you must be extremely cautious. The following general safety tips will help you stay safe and enjoy the trip.
- Always stay alert: Being vigilant will save you frommany troubles.
- Avoid isolated areas: Stay with the crowds. It will keep you safe from getting robbed. Avoid walking alone
,especially at night. - No flashy items: Avoid wearing precious jewelry or expensive watches. It attracts snatchers and pickpockets.
- Lock the door: No matter where you are staying, you should keep the door locked always. Also, lock car doors and roll up car windows, whenever you leave the car.
- Never leave valuables in a parked car: Maybe you have parked your rental car in a parking lot. Do not leave valuables, in sight, in the car.
- Do not keep anything unattended: You should not leave your things unattended, especially on the beach.
- Avoid carrying a lot of cash: Never stash a lot of money in your backpack or your hip pocket. Use credit cards wherever possible.
- Avail authorized conveyance: Try to take Uber to be safe from a scam. Else, take a licensed taxi.
- Avoid peddlers: Always book tours from the official website.
- No local money exchange: Go to banks to exchange currency. They give the best rate.
- Get travel insurance: It gives protection if something goes wrong during the trip. You may be a victim of illness, injury, theft, etc.
Best things to do Jaco, Costa Rica
Jaco, Costa Rica is one of the best vacation destinations for nature lovers and adventurers. Let’s explore them.
Surfing
Jaco, Costa Rica is a perfect vacation spot for surfing. Visitors surf there every day for hours. The long and consistent waves with peaks ranging from 3 to 4 feet make it ideal for beginners. If surfing is your priority, you must visit Jaco between May and November. It delivers an exhilarating surfing experience.
Visit Carara National Park
If you want to take a look at the lush jungles in Jaco, you must visit Carara National Park. It is around 22 kilometers from Jaco. This supernatural forest has a dry forest climate and rain forest climate of the tropics. It is abundant with a variety of fauna and flora. The park hosts more than 400 varieties of bird species and is the ideal place to visit for bird watchers. Visiting the park one is sure to watch scarlet macaws, kingfishers, parrots, capuchin monkeys, and many other wildlife varieties. One can also explore the various hiking trails there.
Take waterfall tours
If you are for adrenaline-rushing activities the waterfalls just outside Jaco, Costa Rica can deliver that. They are right outside town. One has to trek through pristine rainforests to visit those. Bijagual is another waterfall nearby. It is about a 20-minute drive from the city and involves an impressive hike. The Nauyaca waterfall is the most beautiful. Visitors need to hike around four kilometers trek to experience the waterfall. One can do horse riding if one cannot do it on foot.
Enjoy a Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP)
If surfing waves do not suit you, Stand-up Paddle Board (SUP) brings a calmer option. It is like a kayak except that you have to stand on the board. One can paddle near the shore to admire the scenic beaches and enjoy the less intense waves. If you like you may go a bit farther into the ocean or can paddle up to Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca. It is a great exercise and connects one to the ocean.
Visit Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island is the best Jaco day tour for group getaways. Your Jaco visit is never complete without taking the Tortuga Island Cruise. The Island tour leaves Jaco every day and takes visitors through the Gulf of Nicoya. One should book a speedboat tour. Unlike other Jaco beaches, Tortuga Island boasts white sand beaches surrounded by coral reefs. It makes the area an ideal snorkeling spot. Visitors can peek inside the ocean or may go a bit farther to watch the marine life and the reefs.
Go Ziplining
The uneven terrain of Jaco makes it a great place for ziplining. One glides downhill and feels as if one is floating in the air with the forest beneath. Several standard ziplining packages are available in the Jaco area. They let one enjoy the coastal views and mountains with rainforest. Sometimes it combines horse riding, ATV tours, etc. One can take different ziplining tours depending on the budget and fear of altitude.
Watch Sunset at Villa Caletas
Jaco is brimming with natural beauty. Watching the Sunset is one of them. Watching the Sun setting down into the ocean is an incredible experience. Villa Caletas lets one enjoy that. It is a hotel, and one needs to drive for around 15 minutes to reach there from Jaco. The hotel has a Greek-themed amphitheater facing the ocean. Visitors can witness the best sunset while enjoying a happy hour drink at the restaurant.
Take Crocodile tours
It is a short drive north of Jaco. There are massive crocodiles in the Tarcoles River. One can have a look at them from the bridge above. More than 2000 crocodiles are there. Some of the crocodiles reach a staggering size of 15 feet and can weigh up to even 1500 pounds. The Crocodile Tours operate every day. One must book a slot in advance to avoid waiting for a free slot and wasting time.
Visit Playa Blanca Beach
It is just a short drive from Jaco and is a white sand oasis in the area. It takes around a 15-minute drive to reach Playa Blanca from Jaco. One needs to climb the small rocks of Playa Mantas during low tide to reach there. One has to maneuver a steep embankment to go there when there is high tide. But the pain is worth taking. The beach offers fluffy white sand with palm trees and clear turquoise water.
Playa Herradura Beach
Playa Herradura beach is a few miles distance from the north of Jaco. The beach offers a breathtaking view with its horseshoe shape. It is a popular place for water sports like surfing, parasailing, etc. It was a fishing village earlier and now turned into a great place for sports fishing. The beach has dark sand and the calm water is ideal for swimming.
Where To Eat In Jaco, Costa Rica
Here are a few places that are great to eat at:
Graffiti Restro Café & Wine Bar
It is a bistro-style restaurant with a blackboard menu that changes with the availability of fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, etc. They are open from 4 PM to 10 PM every day.
It is a favorite restaurant in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. They deliver an exquisite dining experience using fresh local ingredients and delicious flavor. Both indoor and outdoor seating facilities are there.
It is the best place when one longs for sushi and veggie rolls. They also offer gluten-free options. This cozy casual restaurant is open from Thursday to Tuesday and closed on Wednesday.
They offer the best burger in Jaco, Costa Rica. The restaurant also has pickup and delivery services. It is open Monday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Friday & Saturday from 11:00 AM to 02:00 AM, and from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM on Sunday.
They offer delicious Mediterranean and seafood dishes, and also have vegan options. Their menu includes fresh healthy food made from local ingredients. It is a great place to enjoy with family. One can have lunch, dinner, and drinks there.
It is located right in the heart of Jaco Beach. Green Room offers delicious food and an awesome vibe. It is popular for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant offers a unique experience by combining local flavors with international cooking recipes. It remains open every day from 9:00 AM to 02:00 AM. There is live music every night.
It is a lounge-style bar in Jacó. Tapas food is their specialty and they offer the most delicious margaritas in the town. It is ideal for family dining. It also offers awesome desserts. They also give top-notch service.
It offers one of the best seafood menus in the town. Located right on the beach guests can watch a sunset while enjoying delicious meals. One can have lunch and dinner there. It remains open on all days from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The restaurant offers gourmet Mexican, Latin, and Central American dishes. They also have vegan options. You can have the best tacos there. They are fresh and have original flavors. The place offers watching games.
It is the perfect place for authentic Costa Rican cuisine. The restaurant serves different menus in the buffet every day. Their prices are also reasonable. It is open every day from 7:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
Is It Worth Visiting Jaco, Costa Rica?
Being a fantastic vacation destination, Jaco is worth visiting. It is ideal for those who are exploring Costa Rica for the first time. Jaco is the most developed beach town in Costa Rica and is packed with all conveniences. One can enjoy a multitude of adventurous activities there.
What is Jaco, Costa Rica is known for?
Jaco is the surfing Mecca in Costa Rica. Located on the Central Pacific Coast it is also known for its beautiful sandy beaches, mountainous shoreline, and lush jungle. Jaco boasts a wonderful combination of laid-back charm and a thriving social hub.
Wrapping up
Jaco, Costa Rica is a perfect vacation-to-go destination for solo and family trips. It exudes a unique rustic and authentic vibe that charms visitors. The area has something for everyone. One can do many things and gain a unique experience by visiting Jaco. So, what you are waiting for? Just make a plan and visit.