The closest beach town to San José and the busiest hub on the Central Pacific for surf, nightlife, and tours. A dense, walkable strip of restaurants, shops, and services along a long gray-sand beach.
About 1.5 hours from San José by car or shuttle, the shortest beach run from the capital and its airport.
Parque Central de Jacó
Jaco's farmers market, recently moved into the central park. Thursday is the full-day session; Friday wraps up in the morning.
Feria days and hours shift with the season and holidays. We verify what we publish and never invent a date, but confirm locally before a special trip. See the full Costa Rica feria calendar.
July 10, 2026 to July 12, 2026 · Playa Hermosa, Jacó
Season-ending grand final of Costa Rica's national surf circuit, the highest-value stop, where the national champions are decided.
OrganizerAnnual, mid-July (sea procession near July 16) · Puntarenas
Costa Rica's signature maritime festival, where decorated fishing boats parade across the Gulf of Nicoya to honor the patron of fishermen, with concerts and food on the waterfront.
More on the Costa Rica events page.
12 verified in Jacó. Browse all Jacó & Herradura.
Jacó
All-inclusive beachfront resort on Pastor Diaz Avenue in downtown Jaco with 125 guest rooms, an infinity-view beach pool, and a splash pad for children. The hotel is independently owned under the Best Western franchise and includes unlimited food and drink packages.
Jacó
A small oceanfront hotel and condo property in a quiet cove at the southern end of Jacó Beach. It has roughly 10 guest rooms plus condo units across about two acres of beachfront, with a pool and the open-air Las Sandalias restaurant. The location is about a ten-minute walk from downtown Jacó.
Jacó
An oceanfront resort and casino at the northern end of Playa Jacó on Avenida Pastor Díaz. It offers rooms and suites, several pools, a spa, dining outlets, and an on-site casino. The property markets itself as a full-service resort in the center of Jacó.
36 verified in Jacó. Browse all Jacó & Herradura.
Jacó
Aloha Beach Front Bar & Grill is a family-run beachfront spot at the south end of Jaco serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dishes like seared tuna, mahi mahi, shrimp and rice bowls. It sits on the sand with a daily happy hour timed to sunset and occasional live music or DJ sets.
Jacó
Amancio's is an Italian-owned restaurant on Jaco's main strip serving wood-oven pizza, handmade pasta, and antipasti. The kitchen prepares pasta dishes tableside, finishing sauces in a hollowed wheel of Parmesan. It is located in Centro Comercial El Jardin and is closed on Wednesdays.
Jacó
Coffee shop and micro roaster at the intersection of Avenida Pastor Diaz and Calle Bohio, run by a family-owned Jaco coffee roasting company. The cafe roasts and sells Costa Rican coffee alongside brewed drinks and pastries.
25 verified in Jacó. Browse all Jacó & Herradura.
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.
42 verified in Jacó. Browse all Jacó & Herradura.
Jacó
Internationally accredited Spanish language school with a beachside location in Jaco, offering group lessons starting at 20 hours per week plus private tutoring. The school also has a second campus outside San Jose.
Jacó
Salon and spa operating in Jaco since 2007, offering hair styling, nails, massage, body treatments, and skin care. Founder Giovanni Zuniga's team is well regarded locally for its consistency and cleanliness.
Jacó
Costa Rican car rental company with over 30 years in business and 14 offices nationwide, serving Jaco travelers primarily through its SJO Airport and Quepos offices. Offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees and roadside assistance included in rental agreements.