Points of interest
Jacó is a city on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, southwest of the capital, San José. It is known for its surfing beaches and nightlife, and is a gateway to national parks. The beach of Jacó is rocky and has gray sand, it is located west of the city. To the southeast is Hermosa beach, with its great waves. To the north is the Carara National Park, with crocodiles in the Tárcoles River and macaws. Nearby there is a trail through the tropical forest that leads to the Bijagual waterfall.
Jacó is a beautiful and energetic beach town located just under two hours from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría airport and is known for its carefree party atmosphere and activities.
If you want to spend time in an area full of lively nightlife and friendly people, be sure to add Jacó to your travel itinerary.
It doesn’t matter if you are traveling alone, with children or with a large group of adventurous adrenaline seekers. Jacó truly has something for everyone and becomes a beloved travel destination for all who visit.
Activities and places to visit
There are a variety of things to do in this pleasant town, including surfing, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, ATV tours, kayak tours, boating, rafting and much more.
If you are looking for adventure-filled activities for every kind of need, a visit to this fun-filled city is a must. There are a variety of companies that offer a variety of activities, all in one place, including horseback riding, waterfall descents, quad biking and canopy tours.
You can even book an exotic nature boat ride or take a half or full day sport fishing tour.
If you prefer to enjoy your Costa Rica vacation without a single drop of sweat, book a catamaran excursion through the beautiful waters along the coast. You can also spend an afternoon watching the surfers from the beautiful calm of the beach.
National Parks
Jaco is a great vacation destination that is close to many activities, including some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks. Manuel Antonios National Park is just over an hour’s drive away, and is definitely worth the trip.
What Manuel Antonio National Park lacks in size it makes up for in beauty and diversity. You will see a wide variety of wildlife on the 126,000 acres of ocean and 1,700 acres of land that make up this well-preserved and protected park.
Once you visit for the first time, you will instantly understand why this is the most popular national park in all of Costa Rica. The diving here is incredible, and there are several beaches that offer ideal conditions for swimming and a refreshing dip.
If you like the look of white sand, visit Manuel Antonio Beach, which is known as the most beautiful beach in the park.
The Carara Biological Reserve is another national park near Jacó. Here you will find magnificent wildlife, including scarlet macaws, monkeys, jaguars and many others. You will also have the opportunity to visit a variety of pre-Columbian archaeological sites dating back more than 2,000 years.
Nearby beaches
Many tourists choose Jacó as a vacation destination because of its beautiful and picturesque beaches. Some of the best options include Playa Jacó, Playa Hermosa and Playa Herradura.
Playa Jacó is a very clean beach that is almost always overflowing with tourists. It is a very beautiful and popular destination, but it is important for swimmers to be aware that there are very strong tides at this beach. Swimmingshould always be done by experienced and cautious swimmers.
Playa Hermosa is a famous surf spot just south of Jacó. If you visit at the right time of year, you can attend the Quicksilver International Championship from the comfort of the beach.
The World Surfing Championship took place in Jacó in 2016 and changes location year after year. It began in the 1960s, with the city of San Diego, CA being the location for this prestigious world-class tournament in 1966.
Playa Herradura is a quieter beach, which is perfect if you need a break from the pulsating energy of the more populated areas. This beach is located about seven kilometers north of Jacó and is a great place to relax near the end of your vacation.
Welcoming locals, a variety of activities and miles of pristine beaches make Jacó the ideal vacation destination for families, couples and solo travelers to Costa Rica.
