Hola 👋
Welcome to our guide to Jaco Beach and Playa Hermosa. Jaco is a high-energy beach town on the Central Pacific Coast. Due to its abundant nightlife, it has a reputation as a place for younger travelers, but it still has activities for everyone. If you want to experience Jaco with less of the hustle, you can stay in Playa Hermosa, which is 5 minutes down the road, and venture into town for the day.
Jaco is one of the places we’ve passed through and visited but not documented very well. Most trips were made before we started this blog, and we always preferred the laid-back vibes of Playa Hermosa right down the way. We’ll update this with new photos of Jaco when we’re back there soon!
Below are many of the area’s popular restaurants, activities, and lodging. You’ll also find a guide map that visually displays the town and points of interest. Drop us a comment below with any questions you have, and we look forward to hearing about your adventure. Enjoy this guide to Jaco and Playa Hermosa.
Our sleepy Playa Hermosa
Getting There
From San Jose Airport
Jaco Beach is usually around 1.5-2 hours from San José. There is one direct route that consists of highways 27 to 34. Just like most of Costa Rica, it’s an easy enough drive during the day but can be difficult at night or in severe weather. It’s best to stay overnight in San Jose at one of the nearby airport hotels if you’re getting in late. Wake up fresh and start the drive with a clear head.
The most popular midway point to break up the drive is the Crocodile Bridge over the Tarcoles River. There are a few Sodas (local Costa Rican restaurants) with markets, and you can stretch your legs by taking a short walk over the bridge to look at the crocodiles below. It’s super cool to see the crocodiles, and you can book a tour later if you want to see them even closer.
This route does have tolls, so make sure you have some colones ready. We always try to order some small bills from our bank before we get there. You can always use the airport ATM in San José. Just make sure your credit/debit card doesn’t have excess fees for using an international ATM. Also, be sure to select Colones if you use the ATM because it can also disburse USD. I’ve made that mistake before, and the machine gave me $200 in USD 20’s, which are useless at the tolls.
From Everywhere Else
Flying into Liberia (LIR) only makes sense if you’re going to visit other areas on the way to Jaco, like La Fortuna or Monteverde. Or maybe taking the Paquera to Puntarenas Ferry from Santa Teresa? We’ve been told by nearly all rental car employees that Waze is the best navigation app for driving in Costa Rica. We’ve had a nearly flawless experience with Waze, but Google Maps has always worked well for an easy route like this. Apple Maps doesn’t navigate in Costa Rica, so be prepared if that’s your usual go-to nav app.
An easy drive from SJO
Make sure to pick the correct lane!
Transportation
Rental Cars
If this section sounds a bit repetitive from our other city guides you've read... it is 🙃. We've synchronized the rental car section in our destination posts to provide you with the most up-to-date changes when we have something to add here, and the info applies to any destination you'll be visiting.
Rental cars are honestly the best way to get around Costa Rica, and Adobe Rent A Car is our recommended company. Their fleet of cars is refreshed frequently, keeping them in good condition. Plus, they have 15 offices in many towns and both international airports. Some major areas include: Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo, and multiple in San José.
We used to roll with Economy Rent A Car and have always had a decent experience with them. Unfortunately, we've received too many complaints from our followers and can no longer recommend their general booking site. We have an awesome contact at Economy who still sets up many of our rentals. Shoot him a message on WhatsApp here, or use the contact form on our transportation page, and we can connect you.
Confusing insurance requirements are the most frequent complaint about rental cars in Costa Rica, so we really like how Adobe clearly displays the insurance options at checkout. It’s pretty hard to be surprised when you get there.
Rental car insurance in Costa Rica is complicated and often leaves you feeling burned at the rental counter if you're not careful. There are various levels of undisclosed insurance that can cost more than the rental car itself, so we've put together a post to clarify some of this topics. Check out our full guide to renting a car in Costa Rica here to avoid some major frustration later.
Be sure to use our Adobe Booking Portal or the form below to receive an exclusive discount.👇
Drivers
Private Driver – There are a ton of private drivers in the area. We’ve never used one here, but a quick search on a Costa Rica Facebook Group will get you many options.
Uber – Uber has blown up in Costa Rica over the last few years. It’s now one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around Jaco. Remember to add a travel credit card with no international fees to avoid being hit with penalty fees later from your bank.
Taxi – Taxis are fairly easy to get in Jaco. If you don’t have a rental car, it’s best to arrange return transportation before you venture into the surrounding areas.
Shuttle – A shuttle could be an option for larger groups with a lot of luggage. We’ve used ILT Costa Rica for all of our shuttle needs when traveling with large groups. The drivers are prompt and professional.
The no-frills “Backyard Hotel”
Lodging
Jaco Beach is home to many hotels and vacation rentals ranging from surf hostels to 4-Star Hotels, and everything in between. Personally, we prefer to stay in Playa Hermosa for the beautiful open black sand beach and more laid back vibes. Then it’s an easy 5-minute drive back into Jaco for some fun. We’ve stayed in a few of these places over the years, and have listed a few of the higher-rated options here in both Jaco and Playa Hermosa, according to TripAdvisor.
Hotels
- Hotel Jaco – Informal all-suite hotel offering a spa, an outdoor pool & a restaurant, plus direct beach access.
- Hotel Perico Azul – A small budget apartment-hotel on the south end of Jaco Beach, with its boutique-like looks and private location close to the mountains.
- DoceLunas Hotel – A nice Four-star hotel with five acres of tropical gardens at the base of a cool jungle covered mountain.
Vacation Rentals
- Tropical House with Private Pool – A centrally located private home that’s close to everything.
- Beachfront Home in South Jaco – A great choice for families or small groups looking for a beach getaway.
- Playa Hermosa Oceanfront Home – A beautiful beachfront home that looks out to Playa Hermosa. Wake up and jump in the ocean!
Playa Hermosa
- The Backyard Hotel – The Backyard Hotel is located in Playa Hermosa, just 4 kms south of Jaco Beach. This tropical paradise boasts one of the country’s most well-known surfing and sunbathing beaches.
- Marea Brava – A small boutique hotel with rooms, suites, and villa-type condominiums nestled next to a spectacular back sand surfing beach. This was actually the first hotel I ever stayed at in Costa Rica in 2007!
Activities
A Quick Note: You’ll notice we occasionally recommend Viator. It's the tour booking company owned by TripAdvisor, and we link to their tours. If you book through our links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We do this instead of cluttering the site with annoying ads. Seriously, have you ever seen a travel website with fewer ads than ours? We love sharing our experiences and hearing how our recommendations help make your trips even better. Some additional benefits are highlighted below.
- ⏰ Viator offers a 24-hour cancellation policy for nearly all of the activities, regardless of the tour company's policies.
- 🔒 Viator secures your payment information with the best technology in the business. Your credit card info doesn't sit in a local office... somewhere.
- 💸 Viator offers "Reserve Now and Pay Later" options for many activities.
Don't miss our Official Viator Tour Page to see recommended tours and experiences sorted by destination.
- Surf Lessons at Jaco Beach – Rent a board or take a lesson from one of the surf shops in Jaco. Rain or shine, their friendly instructors will have you standing up in no time.
- ATV Waterfall Tour – Explore the jungle on ATVs.
- The Full Day Ultimate Adventure Tour – This may be the best all-around tour if you’re staying in Jaco. You can zipline, ATV, and explore waterfalls… all in one day.
- Jungle Crocodile Safari – You may have already stopped to look at the crocodiles when passing over the Tarcoles River, but this tour will get you up close and personal with them.
- Zip Lining – Cruise on zip lines over the jungle canopy. Keep an eye out for the monkeys!
- El Miro – An hour’s hike up to the abandoned ruins of an old hotel. You’ll pass by artistic graffiti, animal life, and a nice view at the top. It’s a great free activity in Jaco.
Searching for empty waves near Jaco
Restaurants
Sodas – Local Costa Rican restaurants are called “Sodas.” There are tons around here, and they offer cheap local meals that shouldn’t be missed if you want to try the local flavors of Costa Rica.
Public House Jaco Grill – A high energy pub in the middle of town. Enjoy a brew and a burger after a day in the surf.
Karma Cafe and Restaurant – One of the highest rated restaurants in Jaco. It’s a vegan spot and people mention the ginger margaritas and fresh flavors.
Sea Salt – A beachside restaurant with ocean views. It’s located next to Hotel Jaco if you’re walking from the main beach.
La Artesanal – Our go-to little coffee and breakfast cafe.
Jet Fuel Coffee Shop – Another great coffee shop with simple food offerings.
The Beer House – A hidden taproom in Jaco Beach with elevated pub food. Are you a hop head? Check out our guide to Costa Rican Craft Beer.
Restaurante Vista Hermosa – A fun beach restaurant in Playa Hermosa. We usually find ourselves here at least once when visiting the area.
Our favorite little breakfast spot in Jaco
Markets
Mega Super Jacó
A large chain market in the middle of town that’s great for bigger shops.
Palí
Another large chain market in the middle of town that’s great for bigger shops.
Medical
Hopefully, you won’t need anything from this section during your trip to Costa Rica, but it’s always good to be prepared. Depending on your travel plans, trip insurance can provide extra peace of mind. We’ve used SafetyWing Travel Insurance in the past and, luckily, never had to make a claim. While it’s an affordable option that covers most activities, we now recommend World Nomad Travel Insurance, which offers more comprehensive coverage for the average traveler. Check their coverage here to see if it’s the right fit for your trip.
Below, we’ve highlighted essential medical offices specific to this destination in case you need it. Always check before traveling for the most current information.
Hospital
Clínica De Jacó – A small 24-hour urgent care. It’s okay for minor injuries, but anything significant may require transportation to a larger hospital in San Jose.
Rush Urgent Care – Another small urgent care facility in central Jaco.
Dental
Premier Dental Care Center – Located near the heart of town. There are a few dental offices, but this one has 300+ 5-star reviews.
Pharmacy
Farmacia Sophia – A highly-rated pharmacy with the essentials.
Don’t Forget
You can buy almost anything you need in the area, but the prices of some items may surprise you. Sunscreen can cost upwards of $20 USD for a normal size tube at the local market. Some of our don’t forget items are listed below.
Sunscreen – Reapply all day when you’re outside. The sun is no joke here!
Bug Spray – Bugs are minimal in the day but mosquitoes often come out in the evening.
Quick-dry towel – These quick-dry towels are also sand free.
Waterproof hat – I like this floating hat, but anythig works.
Polarized sunglasses – They don’t have to break the bank. Check out these polarized sunglasses by Blenders.
Waterproof phone case – Great if you’re going to be on the ocean.
Let’s Go
Jaco Beach is one of those places that you’ll love or hate. It’s a great spot to pick up a board and try surfing, but it’s a bit far from the national parks you may be looking for like Manuel Antonio or Marino Ballena. We’ll be updating this guide to Jaco soon, but feel free to drop us a comment if you have any questions!
