The closest full-service surf town to San Jose, with the beach a short walk from every hotel.
Playa Jacó is a roughly 4 kilometer arc of dark sand facing the open Pacific, backed directly by the town's main street of hotels, bars, and restaurants. It is the closest major beach town to San Jose, about 1.5 hours away, and draws a mix of surfers, weekend visitors from the capital, and long-term expats. Waves are consistent enough for beginner and intermediate surfing, but rip currents are common and swimming requires caution.
Highway 34 (Costanera Sur) runs directly into Jacó; the beach fronts the town's main street for its full length.
Jacó
Long-running tour operator and travel agency based in the Jacó and Los Sueños area, booking ATV tours, ziplines, white water rafting, wildlife trips, surfing lessons and sport fishing, plus custom multi-day vacation packages across Costa Rica. It is one of the older operators on the central Pacific and handles both single tours and full itineraries.
Jacó
Jacó-based off-road tour operator and rental company running guided ATV, side-by-side buggy, and dirt bike tours into the jungle and to waterfalls. The fleet also includes scooters, motorcycles, and bicycles for rent. Bilingual guides lead the tours from a shop on the main avenue in town.
Jacó
Canopy zipline tour in Playa Hermosa just south of Jacó, running roughly 2 hours across cables and platforms built high in large chicle trees, with one line about 300 meters long and ocean views. The tour starts with a hanging bridge and is guided in English and Spanish, with a minimum age of 5. The company has operated since 1999 and meets guests at Cafe Bohio before shuttling up the mountain.