Jacó Things to Do

The town of Jaco is small, and has only about 5,000 residents. Despite this, it still has anything you'll need to have a memorable tropical vacation. But take advantage of it's smallness, and have a nice walk the first day you're there. Get accustomed to what is there and where everything is. You'll be amazed on how quickly you pick things up.

Here is a picture of Mark, Enrique and Rob while walking back from doing a booze run at the Super Las Olas.

The Onyx is a really nice place to start the night. The upstairs is where the bar and pool tables are located, with an open air view of the main drag. We became friends with the awesome bartender by the name of Emerson, if you're ever there treat him right. This is often a place for gringos so if you want to meet some people from your homeland then this is a good place.

Partying at one of Jaco's many nightclubs is a must for someone staying in the town. There are many places, but some are more popular than others. The Monkey Bar is a neat place sporting big screen TV's on the walls playing surf videos while the dj spins everything from latin club music to 50cent. Many good lookin' ladies here and a big dance floor. Go Crazy , Pura Vida

Wonderful and easy to explore forest park. Numerous paths to see the rio tarcoles, creeks and a beautiful primary forest and its incredible fauna and flora.

Two set of trails, you still got to buy your tickets (and pick up your map) at the entrance. From this headquarters, you'll access 3 main paths, including the peaceful Sendero Quebrada Bonita. Or you can drive (or walk or hitchhike, as we had to do) 2 km toward the Rio tarcoles and enter the last trail, Sendero Laguna Meandrica, a long 4km walk alonside the river to spot crocodiles, turtles and shore birds.

Even without a guide, we had a blast and saw a lot of wildlife. On the Laguna trail, we saw jesus lizard, crocodiles, cormoran, herons, trogons, iguanas, blue butterfly morpho, white face monkey, howler monkey, and so on. And on the Quebrada sendero, we had the luck to see an Ara Macao!

We had a deal with our taxi driver from Jaco and for a reasonnable price (but not cheap), he took us to the park and also to the bridge over the tarcoles to see the crocodiles. Really worth it: quite impressive! Be careful if you drive your own car. A lot of theft occurs in parked vehicules over the bridge.

See more pictures in my Jaco travelogue.

The Pacific ocean, its beautiful turquoise color and voluptuous waves, are celebrated in Jaco Playa everyday under the torrid sun. We saw many surfers, but mainly bathers enjoying the warm waters.

It could be 4 pm, it could be 8 am, the beach would be crowded. But since it's so large, we didn't quite felt surrounded. Famillies, couples, groups, young and old, locals and tourists come to this beach for good reasons. In the middle of the beach, behind palm trees, restaurants and hotels are ligned up for your enjoyment. A few football groups will kick a ball in the sand. Once or twice, two nice horseback riders crossed the beach (how romantic!). But the only thing your eyes seem to see is the never ending blue water, constant white waves, brown silky sand, green trees up the hills...

And at night, with your skin a little burned and a little salty, you'll stroll down on the main street (Pastor Dias) where restaurants, bars, shops, ice cream parlor and tour operators shine in that fun, decontracted and welcoming surfer spirit.

There is a beach right before Jaco...there are a few rentals out there and great surf. I believe it's called Hermosa. We rented some bikes in Jaco and hung out in Hermosa..it's stunning! Does not have all the tourists of Jaco, just beach and nice people.

There are two-toed and three-toed sloths here as well as many other animals, birds , and reptiles. I was looking forward to the sloths the most. My Brand New Camera zoom stuck halfway out and quit working!!! Ahhhhhhhhh Please go if you get the chance, but you will have to take my word for it. We did SEE the sloths.

I was saying "but" because, as I have more than once said on my pages, I'm not crazy for the touristic spots and I prefer to discover little visited places like Playa Esterillos Este at about 25 km southeast of Jacó after the most famous Playa Hermosa.
The place seems really undiscovered by tourism - which should have made me put this under off the beaten path but why an hidden place shouldn't be a must see as well... ;-)?
Do not expect infrastructures and if you need a bathroom, go to the kiosk at the right corner of the road going to the beach, the man at the counter will ask you if you need to use it to undress or to actually use the bathroom and according to your answer, he will charge you (anyway a few cents of colones in both cases) but do not go bare footed, it's not exactly spick and span...