{"id":12033,"date":"2019-07-20T15:42:14","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T21:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adobecar.com\/?p=12033"},"modified":"2024-07-02T16:25:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T22:25:23","slug":"jaco-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adobecar.com\/en\/travel-costa-rica\/jaco-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"The Original Party Town – Jaco Beach, Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"

Less than two hours from Costa Rica\u2019s Capital City, San Jos\u00e9, is the country\u2019s most vivacious beach town, Playa Jaco. The bustling vacation metropolis is popular among surfers, sport fishermen, adventure seekers, partygoers, families, and even wedding parties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Its prime location on Costa Rica\u2019s Central Pacific Coast is easily accessed by taking two of the country\u2019s best highways. The recently inaugurated Highway 27 from San Jos\u00e9, and the scenic Costanera Highway 34 that runs the length of the central coastline. The trip from Juan Santamaria International Airport and the Adobe Rent a Car SJO Airport Office is a short 89 km and takes approximately 1:30 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to rent a 4WD vehicle or SUV to visit Jaco Beach unless you are planning to travel on to a more rugged destination. Your Adobe representative will be happy to look at your itinerary and suggest the best car to fit your budget and needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Flying to Jaco Beach – Adobe Rent a Car in Quepos\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a flight to Jaco, the closest in-country airport is in Quepos 67 km to the south. You can also rent a car from the<\/span> Adobe Rent a Car<\/span> office near Quepos center. To contact the office directly, call +(506) 2777-4242; WhatsApp +(506) 8494-5956; Toll Free US and Canada 1-855-861-1250; or by email <\/span>xqp@adobecar.com<\/span>. Our Adobe Rent a Car Quepos office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, weather<\/b><\/h2>\n

Costa Rica\u2019s weather consists of two seasons. The dry season and the rainy (or green) season.\u00a0 Along the Pacific Coast and at Jaco Beach, the dry season runs between December and April. This period also coincides with the peak tourist season when the country has the most visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rainy (green) season usually lasts from May until late November. One great thing about this period is that mornings are usually sunny and clear and the vegetation is green and thriving. Rains usually begin in the late afternoon and taper off in the evening. September and October are the rainiest months, however and days or weeks of non-stop downpours are possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weather on the Caribbean Coast is usually the opposite of the Pacific side. This means that if you\u2019re visiting Costa Rica in September and October you should head over to the east coast to enjoy a dry and sunny holiday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to stay – Jaco Beach, Costa Rica hotels<\/b><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll literally find every type of hotel lodging in Jaco to fit just about every budget. Choose from backpacker hostels to four-star, all inclusive luxury resorts, and everything in between. You\u2019ll also find short- and long-term vacation rentals like Airbnb and others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One top-rated destination is the Marriott Los Sue\u00f1os Resort and Marina located less than 10 minutes from Jaco.The hotel, golf course, private living community, and world-class marina border Herradura Bay and Playa Herradura.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do in Jaco, Costa Rica<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for adventure, there\u2019s plenty of things to do around Jaco. The beachfront town is surrounded by rolling hills, mountains, and rainforest providing ample territory for the best adventure tours Costa Rica has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Near Jaco, you\u2019ll find a massive assortment of tour providers catering to every whim. Family fun options like canopy tours, zip lines, horseback riding, hiking, and waterfall tours are just the beginning. For extreme thrill-seekers there\u2019s ATV and motorcycle tours as well as paragliding from Jaco\u2019s mountain backdrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shoppers will be delighted by the variety of boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries that fill the streets in and around town. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and other amenities are equally plentiful and often hold flexible hours to accommodate the tourist clientele.<\/span><\/p>\n

Surfing Jaco Beach, Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n

Playa Jaco offers some of the country\u2019s most famous surf and attracts aficionados from around the globe. At the writing of this article, approximately 30 surf schools were operating in Jaco, making the destination a perfect place for families and beginning surfers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll also find a plethora of surfboard and gear rentals scattered throughout town as well as shops selling the latest surfer fashions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CAUTION: <\/b>Surfers and swimmers alike should take extreme caution when entering the waters along the Central Pacific Coast and especially at Jaco, Hermosa, and Esterillos Oeste beaches. Rip currents are a real and dangerous reality, and bathers should ask around before taking any risks. Lifeguards are stationed along the shoreline at Jaco and some other beaches. Warning flags are also often placed in front of dangerous areas that should be avoided.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Popular beaches near Jaco, Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n

The black sands and strong swells of Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco attract expert surfers year-round. The small town of Hermosa and the handful of hotels catering to surfers often host professional surf competitions. One favorite is the Quicksilver International Surf Championship held every August.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those not interested in surfing, Playa Hermosa offers fantastic scenery for an early morning or late afternoon walk. Most of the extensive black sand beach is dedicated as a conservation area, the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre. Turtle nesting, wildlife, and myriad bird species can be seen in and around the marshland and estuary bordering the beach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sportfishing in Jaco, Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n

Sportfishing actually rivals surfing as Jaco\u2019s favorite pastimes. The Los Sue\u00f1os Marina to the north and the Pez Vela Marina in Quepos to the south offer some of the best sportfishing charters and big-game fishing in the world.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sportfish like Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Tarpon, and Tuna are just a few of the species thriving in the Pacific waters. You\u2019ll find excellent fishing year-round; however, the country\u2019s dry season, between December and April, are the most popular among international sportsmen and women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chartering a day-long fishing excursion can be an expensive endeavor in Costa Rica. If you\u2019re hoping to fish but don\u2019t think you have the budget for it, ask around town for a local provider offering tours. You might not find the comforts of a world-class yacht, but you\u2019re still likely to experience the excitement of landing a billfish or other Pacific breed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Watersports in Playa Jaco<\/b><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t fret if fishing and surfing aren’t for you. There\u2019s plenty of other options to keep you cool, wet, and entertained at Jaco Beach. Kayaking, jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba, waterskiing, and even parasailing are all offered in and around Jaco.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

National Parks near Jaco Costa Rica<\/b><\/h2>\n

A trip to Costa Rica isn\u2019t complete unless you visit one of the country\u2019s impressive national parks. <\/span>Carara National Park <\/b>is approximately 23 km north of Jaco near the Tarcoles River. It is most famous for having the largest population of scarlet macaws in the national territory. The park also protects vast swaths of rainforests, rivers, and marshlands as well as an incredible variety of wildlife. And don\u2019t miss seeing the enormous crocodiles under Tarcoles bridge nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n

A little over one-hour south of Jaco (73 km) is the jewel of Costa Rica\u2019s National Park System, the <\/span>Manuel Antonio National Park<\/b>. Despite being the country\u2019s smallest nationally protected area, it is considered the most scenic. In fact, in 2011, Forbes listed Manuel Antonio as one of the most beautiful parks in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Visitors will enjoy exploring diverse ecosystems including transitory forests, pristine beaches and coves, and even marine habitats perfect for snorkeling. The park is relatively flat and is popular among the young and old alike. Try to avoid visiting on weekends or peak holidays if you want to stay away from the crowds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jaco Beach dining and nightlife\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Some of the<\/span> best restaurants in Jaco<\/b>, are situated along the main strip, and several other savory options can be found in the surrounding hotels and shopping centers. One thing for sure is that there are plenty of dining choices available. Given the town\u2019s diverse international population, you\u2019ll find everything from traditional Costa Rican fare to Japanese, Israeli, Italian, vegan healthy, and much more\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that Jaco is a notorious party town. Countless casinos, clubs, bars, and discos cater to anyone looking to live it up <\/span>Pura Vida<\/span><\/i> style. On the weekends and during the high season, in particular, partygoers will fill the streets and venues well into the night and early morning hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Like any party town, revelers should be careful and take precautions against theft and other related crimes. Prostitution and gambling are both legal in Costa Rica and are known to attract all types. So it\u2019s good to be careful who you associate with and try not to go out alone if possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Map of Jaco Beach and Surrounding Attractions<\/b><\/h2>\n