6 Interesting Facts About Jaco
Situated on the Pacific coast, Jaco is one of the most popular destinations for visiting a Costa Rican beach. Here are 6 interesting facts about Jaco. Add it to your Costa Rica bucket list, or gain more information to prepare for your upcoming stay.
1. Close to San Jose
Jaco is the closest beach to San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, at about 1 ½ hours away. This location makes Jaco a very popular tourist spot, as well as a favorite local’s beach. It is close to airport, close the hospital, and close to all other amenities/restaurants in San Jose – yet you step outside of city life and feel the true Pura Vida vibes on the sand.
2. Surf’s Up
Like many other beaches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Jaco is a hot spot for surfers. The water’s waves are busy enough for a fun surf session, but they are not too intense that beginners cannot learn. The beach itself is 4km long (2.5 miles) of bliss.
3. Activities Galore
If you are interested in an outdoor activity, you will undoubtedly find it in Jaco. This includes zip-lining, ATV rides, catamaran tours, sports fishing charters/instruction, horseback riding, scuba diving, kayaking and more. You will never run out of things to do right in town.
4. Party Hard
Jaco is known for having a great nightlife. You can find a variety of great restaurants throughout the area to start off your evening; many offer local cuisine, but you can also get Indian food, Argentinian food, Italian food, sushi, and more. After dinner, the bars and nightclubs are plentiful. Even try your hand at a casino.
5. Nearby Beaches
If you want to take a day trip away from the bustling Jaco, you have plenty of great options. Playa Herradura is the perfect spot if you want a quieter afternoon. Playa Hermosa offers lovely black sand beaches. And Playa Blanca is one of the most gorgeous beaches in the area.
6. Nearby Wildlife
Jaco offers access to great wildlife spotting. The nearby Tarcoles River often allows for close glimpses of crocodiles by boat tour. And then there is Carara Biological Reserve, slightly above Jaco. There you can see varieties of wildlife including macaws.