JACÓ, COSTA RICA

Jacó is extremely popular both because of its beauty and because of its close proximity to San José. Just a short two-hour bus ride away, this beach town is arguably the most popular surfing spot in all of Costa Rica! Close your eyes and envision yourself on the Pacific coast as the sun is shining and the waves are washing up on your bare feet… Now book your trip to Costa Rica!

Attractions:

Zipline Canopy Tour: There are many tour options in town but I chose Vista Los Sueños. The 2-hour excursion costs $65. There are 12 ropes (the longest is nearly 1km long) on the course; one of which you can do upside down! Cruising through the rainforest’s canopy and howling your lungs out is an experience you won’t want to skip. Be on the lookout for macaws and monkeys!
Jacó Beach: The most popular beach in Jacó! This beach is generally bumpin’ with activity - literally! Locals are usually playing volleyball while listening to their favorite music. You can also rent surf and/or boogie boards if you’d like!
Visit Carara National Park: Attention bird watchers! Carara National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most visited national parks due to its unique combination of wildlife and flora. Most notably, it is home to one of the largest colonies of scarlet macaws! There are plenty of hiking trails within the park, the entrance fee is $10, and park hours are 7:00am-4:00pm. Getting here is super simple, too. Catch any bus heading to San José, Orotina, or Puntarenas and tell the driver you want to get off at Carara. The 30-minute bus ride costs $1 versus a $25 taxi (one-way).
Eat Lunch at Rústico: You will know you are in the right spot if you see a line out the door! This is the most popular spot in town for authentic Costa Rican cuisine. I went here twice during my stay in Jacó and the food is delicious; I left full for $6!
Other spots to consider checking out: Hermosa Beach, Tortuga Surf Camp, and Hotel Club Del Mar.

Accommodation:

Beds on Bohio: One of my favorite hostels in Central America! Great location, atmosphere, and staff! They have a pool, restaurant, bar, and plenty of hammocks out back. The vibe is fantastic and you’re only 50m from the beach! It is also 15 minutes walking from the bus station. What more could you ask for?

Transportation:

Jacó’s main bus station is Jaco Terminal S.A. and where the below buses depart from. If you choose to travel via shuttle bus, those will pick you up from your hostel/hotel.

Manuel Antonio is 1.5 hours by bus from Jacó and costs $6; buses run daily at 8:15am, 11:15am, 12:45pm, 4:45pm, and 7:00pm.
- The shuttle ride is 1.5 hours and costs $34.
San José is 2 hours by bus from Jacó and costs $5; buses run daily at 5:00am, 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm. You will be dropped off at Terminal 7-10 in San José.
- The shuttle ride is 3 hours and costs $44.
La Fortuna is 6-7 hours by bus from Jacó and costs $10. The first bus from Jacó to San José is 2 hours and costs $5 (see bus times above). No station transfer is necessary. The second bus from San José to La Fortuna is 4 hours and costs $5; buses depart every 20-50 minutes (or by demand from 5:30am-5:45pm).
- The shuttle ride is 5 hours and costs $59.
Monteverde is 6-7 hours by bus from Jacó and costs $11. The first bus from Jacó to San José is 2 hours and costs $5 (see bus times above). No station transfer is necessary. The second bus from San José to Monteverde is 4.5 hours and costs $6; buses depart once daily at 2:30pm.
- The shuttle ride is 5 hours and costs $59.
Puerto Viejo is 6-7 hours by bus from Jacó and costs $16. The first bus from Jacó to San José is 2 hours and costs $5 (see bus times above). Upon arriving at Terminal 7-10 in SJ, walk 5 minutes to the Terminal de Autobus Atlántico Norte. The second bus from San José to Puerto Viejo is 4.5 hours and costs $11; buses depart every two hours from 6:00am-6:00pm.
- The shuttle ride is 7 hours and costs $99.

The closest airport to Jacó is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO; outside of San José). SJO is located 86km (53 miles) from town and is accessible via shuttle bus. The shuttle bus ride is 2 hours and costs $45.

Because I spent nearly all of my time either on the beach or a zipline, I did not take any photos. All the more reason to go back for a second visit one day! Thank you to all of the contributing photographers who helped bring this page to life: Ricardo Arce, Allan Solis, Walter Mendez Rojas, Courtney Hall, Etienne Delorieux, Samuel Charron, Nat Fernández, and Rickyoumans!