Things to Do in Jaco, Costa Rica

Last updated: September 2026

Jaco Keeps You Busy

Most visitors come to Jaco for the beach or the nightlife. They leave having done things they never planned on, like an ATV tour through the jungle that ends at a waterfall, a surf lesson that turns a non-surfer into someone who can't wait to get back in the water, and a fishing charter that puts a marlin on the line before 9am.

That's Jaco. The beach and the bars are the starting point, but not the whole story.

We have been based here since 2009, just over 17 years. This is our honest list of what is actually worth your time. If you have read other Jaco guides recently, some of what they recommend no longer exists.

For destination basics, getting here, and practical travel information, see our Jaco Beach travel guide. To find specific venues on a map, use our interactive map.

Beaches in and Around Jaco

Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach runs 4 kilometers of warm golden sand from the center of town down to the foot of Miro Mountain.

Hot enough on a sunny afternoon that flip flops are strongly recommended.

The water is warm year-round and generally calm enough to swim and play near shore, especially at low tide when the waves flatten out considerably. At high tide the surf picks up, still manageable for most people, just pay attention to where the rip currents form and stay in the areas where other people are swimming.

Jaco does not have a traditional boardwalk but there is a paved walkway at the north end where people walk, jog, cycle, and bring their dogs, and several stretches where the road runs directly along the beach with hotels, condos, and restaurants on one side and open sand on the other. There are plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants to choose from along the full length of the beach.

The most highly recommended Jaco Beach activity is to grab a cold beer and go stand with your toes in the sand.

For sunsets, position yourself on the middle to south end of the beach. That stretch faces directly out to the open Pacific and delivers the kind of sunset that ends up as someone's phone wallpaper, the sun dropping straight into the water with the sky going orange and pink all the way across. The north end tends to have the sun disappearing behind the mountains before it fully sets. The difference matters.

Hermosa Beach

Fifteen minutes south of Jaco, Playa Hermosa is longer, darker, and considerably wilder.

The sand is darker in color and absorbs more heat, worth knowing if you plan to walk it barefoot at midday.

The waves are significantly bigger than Jaco, with more rip curl and undertow, which makes it less suitable for casual swimming but excellent for intermediate and advanced surfers. The ISA World Surfing Championship has been held here twice.

For non-surfers the main reason to make the drive is Vida Hermosa, a beachfront restaurant and bar that consistently punches above its weight. Good food, cold drinks, ocean views, and live music on most weekends. Worth the trip on its own.

The south end of Hermosa is protected as a wildlife refuge. Olive Ridley sea turtles return here seasonally to nest, and guided night tours run from July through December, a genuinely memorable experience especially with kids.

Turtles occasionally nest on Jaco Beach itself too. When that happens, local volunteers set up an enclosure to protect the eggs and word spreads fast on local social media. It draws a crowd and tends to become one of those unplanned Jaco moments that people end up talking about for the rest of the trip.

Herradura Beach

Fifteen minutes north of Jaco, Playa Herradura is a calm sheltered bay with almost no wave action, which makes it genuinely good for swimming and ideal for families with young children.

Stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals are available on the beach. There is a short strip of restaurants and beach bars just south of the Los Sueños entrance worth stopping at.

Los Sueños Resort itself has a small beach on the north side of the property, accessible free to the public through the resort gate. We cover Los Sueños and sport fishing in more detail further down the page.

Surfing and Surf Lessons in Jaco

Learning to Surf

Jaco Beach is one of the best places in Central America to learn to surf.

The water is warm, the waves are consistent, and the beach breaks are forgiving enough for complete beginners. Most people are standing up on a board within their first lesson.

Timing matters more than most people realize. Lessons run around high tide when the waves are active, not at low tide when the beach can be almost completely flat. If you are planning around a surf lesson, check the tide schedule first or let us handle the timing when you book.

As a general rule, the south end of the beach is more beginner friendly with smaller, slower waves. As your confidence grows, work your way north where the surf picks up.

Book surf lessons through JacoVIP and our team will handle the details, including recommendations on board rentals once you are ready to go out on your own.

Intermediate and Advanced Surfers

Experienced surfers will find plenty to work with in Jaco at high tide, but the real draw for serious surfers is Hermosa Beach, 15 minutes south.

Hermosa is a different animal entirely. Bigger waves, faster breaks, and significantly more power in the water. Even intermediate surfers should approach it with respect. The ISA World Surfing Championship has been held here twice, which tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the surf.

Stand Up Paddleboarding

SUP is available in both Jaco and Herradura. Jaco works well at low tide when the water is calm, but getting past the break at high tide is a challenge for beginners. Herradura Bay, with its sheltered flat water, is the easier option if you are just starting out or want a more relaxed paddle.

Hike Miro Mountain

Located at the southern tip of Jaco, Miro Mountain is one of those local favorites that doesn't show up in every travel guide but should. A morning hike or a late afternoon climb for the sunset views is time genuinely well spent.

Depending on where you are staying in town you can walk or cycle to the base of the mountain, or grab a cab and start the hike from there. Some of our Jaco Beach vacation rentals are just a short walk from the trailhead.

What to Expect on the Trail

The first stretch is the steepest, paved, and exposed to the sun. Once you pass the only house on the lower section the road turns to dirt and the tree canopy closes in. The air cools, the light changes, and it starts to feel like a proper jungle hike.

Mornings are the best time to go, especially in dry season when midday heat on the open sections can be punishing. Late afternoon heading toward sunset is the other sweet spot, with the added reward of watching the light go golden over Jaco Beach from the upper sections.

Bring water. Wear shorts and a t-shirt. Flip flops will slow you down so light trail shoes or sneakers are better. The trail is wide and well defined so there is no need to brush against vegetation, which means long pants are not necessary.

Wildlife on the Trail

This is still nature, so nothing is guaranteed. That said, scarlet macaws are as close to a sure thing as it gets up here, regularly spotted flying overhead or perched in the canopy. Blue morph butterflies and poison dart frogs are commonly seen along the trail. White faced monkeys appear often enough that it is worth scanning the trees as you walk. Howler monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife show up too, just less predictably.

Keep your phone or camera accessible. The wildlife tends to appear when you are not expecting it.

The Mural, the Ruins, and the Views

Along the trail you will pass a long embossed mural that runs the length of a wall, styled to evoke ancient tribal or indigenous art. It is not ancient, but whoever created it did a convincing job. Visitors over the years have painted sections of it, following the lines almost like a giant coloring book. Some of it looks excellent. Some of it looks like it may have been done by children or people having a very good night. Either way it adds character and is worth stopping for.

Further up, take the left fork and you reach the El Miro ruins. An unfinished construction project long ago reclaimed by the forest, with staircases, arches, and balconies now partially swallowed by vegetation and covered in street art. It has the feel of a lost civilization, which makes it one of the more photogenic spots in all of Jaco. Sunset views from here over the full stretch of Jaco Beach are excellent.

Take the right fork instead and the trail continues uphill until you hit the next intersecting road, where on a clear day you can see all the way down to Hermosa Beach. From the base to this point and back down again is roughly one to two hours depending on your pace and how long you linger along the way.

Tours and Day Trips from Jaco

The area around Jaco has enough tours and day trips to fill two weeks without repeating yourself. Below are the ones we recommend most. A full list with details and pricing is on our Jaco tours and excursions page.

Adventure and Adrenaline

ATV Tour to a Waterfall

The most consistently popular tour in Jaco. Ride through jungle trails, cross rivers, and end up at a waterfall where you can swim before heading back. Four hours total including the waterfall stop — not four hours of riding.

Available as ATVs or side by side vehicles. Beginner or experienced, dry season or rainy season, this one delivers every time.

See ATV tour options →

Zipline Canopy Tour

Ten zip lines, three hanging bridges, a Tarzan swing, and spectacular views over the jungle and Herradura Bay. One of the best zipline setups in Costa Rica — well organized, well trained guides, genuinely impressive.

Also available as a combo with the ATV tour. The combo is a great day out but note the ATV portion is shorter than the dedicated ATV waterfall tour — both are worth knowing about depending on what your group wants.

See zipline tour →

The Explorer Waterfall Tour

A newer tour that is quickly becoming a favorite. A 4x4 safari vehicle takes you up into the mountains above Jaco to a private reserve over 1,000 feet above sea level. From there a short hike brings you into a river canyon with natural swimming holes, hidden waterfalls, and jungle trails.

Swim, hike, and jump into natural pools from heights ranging from a few feet up to 45 feet if you are feeling brave. Small groups only, maximum twelve people. Four hours total. One of the most genuine Costa Rica nature experiences available from Jaco right now.

Waterfall Rappelling and Canyoning

For those who want to go beyond swimming under a waterfall, rappelling directly down one is a different experience entirely. Guides are well trained, safety equipment is solid, and the jungle setting makes it genuinely memorable.

Family friendly for kids who are comfortable with heights and water. One of the more unique adventures available from Jaco.

See rappelling tour →

Savegre River White Water Rafting

The Savegre River is rated one of the cleanest rivers in all of Costa Rica. Class II and III rapids through pristine rainforest with almost no development visible from the water. There is one calm stretch where you can jump off the raft and swim.

The 60 minute drive to the put-in point is half the experience — jungle scenery, palm plantations, and small Costa Rican towns along the way. Ideal for beginners and intermediate rafters alike.

See rafting tour →

Nature and Wildlife

Monkey Mangrove Tour

One of the most underrated tours in the area and genuinely one of the best wildlife experiences available from Jaco. A flat bottomed boat takes you through a mangrove ecosystem where white faced capuchin monkeys come right down to the water's edge.

Close enough to photograph properly, wild enough to feel real. Calm on the water, family friendly, and completely different from every other tour on this list. Highly recommended.

See mangrove tour →

Crocodile River Tour

The Tarcoles River, twenty minutes north of Jaco, has one of the largest concentrations of American crocodiles in Central America. A boat tour takes you close enough to see them clearly, along with impressive birdlife including scarlet macaws nesting in the trees along the riverbank.

Two hours, family friendly, and one of those experiences people talk about for the rest of the trip.

See crocodile tour →

Manuel Antonio National Park

An hour south of Jaco, Manuel Antonio is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica and worth every minute of the drive. White sand beaches, white faced monkeys that have learned exactly how close they can get to a lunch bag, sloths in the trees above the trail, and some of the best birdwatching on the central Pacific coast.

A private guided tour makes a significant difference here. A good guide will spot wildlife you would walk right past on your own.

See Manuel Antonio tour →

Tortuga Island Catamaran

A full day public catamaran tour to Tortuga Island, a nature reserve with white sand beaches and clear turquoise water about two hours offshore. Snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, food and drinks included.

Popular with families and couples, relaxed pace, and one of the few tours where the reality consistently matches the photos. If your group wants a private boat experience instead, see our party boat section below.

See Tortuga Island tour →

Private Boat Rentals

A private boat charter is one of those Jaco experiences that works for almost every type of group. Bachelor parties, families, corporate retreats, mixed groups of friends — the common denominator is that everyone who does it says it was the highlight of the trip.

These are not luxury yachts. They are well maintained, comfortable boats with plenty of deck space, air conditioned salons, and captains who know these waters well. The experience is fun and relaxed, not flashy. Think cold drinks, warm ocean, good music, and nowhere to be.

Four boats are available depending on group size, all private for your group only. Up to 35 guests per boat, and for larger groups it is possible to charter more than one.

Half Day Shoreline Cruise

The half day option runs approximately four hours along the coastline north of Jaco, where the captain takes you to a couple of beaches that are nearly inaccessible by land. Swim, snorkel, jump off the deck, or just sit on the water with a drink and watch Jaco Beach from the ocean.

This is the sweet spot for most groups — enough time to have a proper experience without committing to a full day. Works best for groups of eight to fifteen. Smaller groups of five or fewer might want to consider a fishing charter instead, which gives a similarly private experience with a different focus.

Full Day Charter to Tortuga Island

The full day option adds Tortuga Island to the itinerary, roughly eight hours total. Worth knowing that the public catamaran tour to Tortuga Island is an excellent option for families and couples who want a well organized day with chairs, guides, and activities included on the island.

The private boat makes more sense when your group wants to do things their own way, control the pace, bring their own DJ, make noise, and not share the experience with strangers.

All boats include a captain and at least one mate. Tip them at the end — they earn it.

Los Sueños Marina and Sport Fishing

Twenty minutes north of Jaco, Los Sueños Resort and Marina sits at the edge of Herradura Bay and operates on a different scale from anything else in the area. The marina holds over 200 boats and is widely considered the sport fishing capital of Costa Rica, and arguably all of Central America.

Entry to the resort road and Marina Village is free and open to the public. The residential and marina areas require access, but anyone can drive in, park, and walk around the village for an hour or two. Worth the visit even if you are not fishing or staying there.

Marina Village and Dining

A small collection of restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, a bank, and a handful of shops built around views of the marina and Herradura Bay. The Hook Up bar and restaurant has some of the best views in the area, looking directly out over the boats with the bay behind them. A relaxed half day trip from Jaco, especially for groups who want something low-key and scenic without committing to a full tour.

La Iguana Golf Course

An 18-hole championship course designed by Ted Robinson, carved into the hillside above the marina with Pacific Ocean views on several holes. PGA qualified instructors on site. At 6,700 yards it plays as a serious course, best suited for intermediate to advanced golfers, though beginners are welcome with instruction.

World Class Sport Fishing

This is the main event. The Central Pacific waters off Los Sueños produce blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, and roosterfish depending on the season. Boats go out year-round and fishing is productive in every month, just targeting different species at different times.

JacoVIP works with a carefully selected fleet of licensed, insured captains we know personally, ranging from smaller 28-foot sportfish boats for groups of four up to 52-foot vessels for larger groups. Half day nearshore trips are available for beginners and families. Full day offshore runs are for anyone seriously targeting billfish.

Before you book, it is worth checking our Costa Rica fishing calendar to understand what species are peaking during your travel dates. It makes a real difference in what you target and which boat makes the most sense.

Staying at Los Sueños

For groups who want to base themselves at the marina rather than in Jaco, private villa and condo rentals are available inside the Los Sueños resort grounds. Gated, quiet, and a completely different atmosphere from Jaco Beach, it suits groups who prioritize the fishing experience and want everything within walking distance of the dock.

Where to Eat in Jaco

Fifteen years ago the options in Jaco were limited. That is no longer the case. The dining scene has genuinely grown up, with a range of restaurants that would hold their own in most major cities, at prices that are moderate rather than cheap but generally better value than comparable meals in the US or Canada.

Many locals, including expats living here, like to eat at a "soda". Basically a small, family-run spot serving a casado, Costa Rica's classic plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain, and your choice of meat or fish. It's the everyday meal here, and it's usually the best-value food in town.

Beyond the sodas, Jaco has a surprisingly deep restaurant scene for a beach town this size — sushi, Thai, Argentinian steak, Indian, and beachfront seafood all within walking distance of each other. This is our honest short list, built from meals we've actually eaten, not a recycled directory. If a place closed or changed hands, you won't find it here.

Coffee in Jaco

For coffee, our current go-tos are Mocapan and Maison — both solid for a real cup and a quiet spot to work. Bohio Roasters and Cafeteros are also worth a stop if you're exploring beyond the main strip.

Want to find these on a map? Check our Jaco Beach interactive map. Planning a private dinner instead? Ask about our private chef service.

Prefer to stay in? For groups renting a villa, our private chef service can bring the restaurant experience to your rental, from a casual beachside dinner to a full multi-course experience.

Murals, Art and Local Shopping

Jaco punches well above its weight for a small town when it comes to public art. Over the past several years the streetscape has been genuinely transformed, and walking the main strip now means passing some seriously impressive large-scale murals.

Artify Jaco

The organization behind most of what you see on the walls. Artify Jaco has brought international artists to town and commissioned large murals on commercial buildings throughout the center, some privately funded and some through the organization's own sponsorship efforts. A five-story scarlet macaw on the side of a building. A giant toucan. Geometric jungle scenes that wrap entire walls. The quality is consistently high and the collection keeps growing.

There is no formal walking tour map needed. Walk the main strip and the side streets off it and the murals find you. Follow Artify Jaco on Instagram for the latest additions.

Local Art and Gifts

For anyone looking to bring something home that was actually made in Costa Rica, Tico Pod on main street is the right place to start. Every item in the shop is handmade by local Costa Rican artists. Leather bags, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, and souvenirs that do not have "Made in China" on the back. It is a genuinely curated selection and worth an hour of your time.

For specialty chocolate, Fruity Monkey Poop carries organic Costa Rican chocolate and specialty products worth checking out. The name is memorable for obvious reasons.

The Jaco Farmers Market

Thursday at Central Park is the main event, running from approximately 9am to 7pm. Fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, breads, honey, coffee, specialty oils, herbs, and handmade goods from local producers. If you are staying in a villa with a kitchen, this is the best place to stock up on produce that actually tastes like something.

Beyond the core Thursday market, additional vendors appear at Central Park on Fridays with less predictable scheduling. Some sell locally made products, some sell food, and some sell the kind of generic tourist items that could have come from anywhere. Worth a wander whenever you pass by. Hours are approximate and can shift by an hour depending on the season and the vendors.

The market is on Calle Pastor Diaz in the center of town, easy to find and easy to combine with a coffee at one of the nearby spots on the main strip.

Free Things to Do in Jaco

Not everything in Jaco costs money. Some of the best experiences here are completely free, which is worth knowing because most guides skip over them entirely.

The Beach

Four kilometers of warm sand, free to access at any hour. No chairs to rent, no entry fee, no wristband. Bring a towel, find a spot, and stay as long as you want. The sunset is also free and frequently spectacular.

Miro Mountain Hike

The full hike described earlier in this guide costs nothing. Walk or cab to the base and start climbing. Wildlife, murals, ruins, views over Jaco Beach and down toward Hermosa. One of the genuinely great free experiences on the central Pacific coast.

The Jaco Sign

At the viewpoint near the south end of town, the famous Jaco Costa Rica sign with the toucan, macaw, monkey, and sloth on top is a required stop for photos. What most visitors miss is the small path just beyond the sign that leads down to a little-known oceanfront hangout area and a small beach below. Worth exploring if you have the curiosity to follow it.

Secret Beaches at Low Tide

At the south end of town, a small pebble beach becomes accessible only at low tide. It is quiet, almost always empty, and one of those spots that feels like a discovery even though it has been there the whole time. This is also where turtle hatchlings have been released into the ocean, including by locals who found nests and helped them safely to the water.

At the north end, La Poza de Tomas is a small beach accessible on foot at low tide or by driving to the north end of town. Listed on Google Maps if you search for it. Worth the effort for the solitude alone.

Watch the Surfers

Many locals go out at high tide, as well as newbies taking surf lessons. More advanced surfers are in Playa Hermosa. No cost, genuinely entertaining, and useful if you are also planning to take lessons during your trip.

The Murals Walk

Free and worth an hour — see the full mural guide above for what to look for and where to start.

The Rivers

Jaco has rivers running through and around the town that most visitors walk right past. If you take the time to find them, especially during or after rain when the water is moving, they are genuinely beautiful. The kind of nature that is hiding in plain sight within the town limits.

Turtle Hatchings

Not guaranteed and not on a schedule, but when it happens it is one of the most memorable free experiences in Jaco. Local volunteers occasionally set up protected enclosures when turtle eggs are found on the beach. Word spreads on local social media, usually the People of Jaco Instagram page, and anyone who shows up gets to witness hatchlings making their way to the ocean. Keep an eye on local accounts during your stay.

Farmers Market

Free to walk through, free to browse — see market hours and details above.