So you’ve just landed in San Jose (Alajuela actually) and you’re off to the same old beach as everybody else is. Wait what!? I’m not headed to a super remote place where I can meet and mingle with the locals?! No, Jaco is NOT the place for that. Fear not though, you have not made a mistake (well unless you thought you were flying to San Jose California). While yes, it is a tourist hotspot, Jaco is still a great place to start you’re Costa Rica trip. In this post I’m going to inspire you with five amazingly novel… psyche; well known things to do in Jaco. Still, these activities are what everyone does for a reason, bc they’re great. Enjoy!

1: Learn to surf: Jaco’s beach is a great place for beginners to try their hand at surfing. With many surf schools offering courses, lessons, and board rental, surfing in Jaco is also very accessible. For more experienced surfers, nearby Playa Hermosa is the pace to go for bigger and better waves. It’s also a great beach to chill at…

2: Enjoy the many nearby beaches: Jaco and the area surrounding is chock full of beautiful beaches. Whether you want to play some beach sports, jump in waves, sunbathe, or grab a drink by the sea, there’re beaches for everything. Playa Jaco is the city’s beach, and though it’s quite busy, especially on weekends, the business comes with many positives such as football and volleyball games to join, many beachside bars and restaurants, countless water sports on offer, and most importantly, tons of coconut vendors. Playa Hermosa is far quieter and the black sand is incredibly pretty (and hot!). Herradura has very calm waters so is great for swimming. Etc. etc..

3: Hike to El Miro: If a stupendous vista view over the city and beach isn’t enough to justify climbing a mere half an hour or so, then the mysterious ruined mansion where said view is found should be more than enough reason. This abandoned, graffiti covered, and surprisingly vast former villa should get some wannabe super sleuths pondering. I’ve written a full guide to El Miro and the trail so for more info be sure to check it out here. 

4: Carrara National Park/Crocodile Bridge: Half an hour or so north of Jaco is all you need to go to immerse yourself in the Costa Rican jungle. There’s an option to go self-guided or you can opt to get a tour from one of the supremely knowledgeable guides. It’s a great alternative to Manuel Antonio if you can’t make the journey down. Just minutes down the road is Crocodile Bridge, where you can spot some of nature’s terminators on the river bank (I’m not promising anything as when I was there I saw a grand total of zero).

5: Party: Jaco is party capital of Costa Rica, so if you’re gonna party somewhere, Jaco’s definitely a good choice. Right when you arrive in town you’ll notice just how many bars and clubs there are. They range massively, from bars with pools to bars with pool*, live music to karaoke, relaxed beer tasting to wild party spots, you get the idea. A word of caution though is not to be too shocked at the darker side of Jaco, the city has a reputation for drugs and prostitution. None of this should affect if you just politely yet firmly decline, just be prepared to do it quite often in the late hours. Or don’t decline, as they say: “what happens in Jaco stays in Jaco**” 

*as in swimming pools and pool tables, apologies for the similarity I just thought it sounded cool.

** For the record Mum, I do not agree with this behaviour, yet again, the hand writes as the brain spaces out and doesn’t think about the horrific things that can happen if the wrong person gets the wrong ideas and does the wrong thing and the wrong thing has the wrong outcome and that outcome has the wrong consequences, and if you’re still reading this just proves that the right person*** had the right idea and did the right thing and it worked and had the right outcome**** and the right consequence and that consequence is that you’re for some reason still reading this garbage and perhaps are about to subscribe***** to my blog bc you like the way I ramble on in the footnotes of my posts more than I actually give you useful information****** and dear god you’re still reading!

*** Me. I’m the right person

****you reading this 

***** Just! Do It!!

******more waffle, I’m the king of useful info.

******* Seriously? There isn’t even a corresponding asterisk?! 

******** Ok now this is getting ridiculous

************* notice I added some twinkle stars?

** ok at this point let’s just be pen pals and then this is less embarrassing for you. Continue in the comments?