Jaco (ha-ko) is Costa Rica’s best kept secret. While this beach town has a reputation for its surfing and night life, it is also the perfect family destination for a short or long term stay.
We spent one month exploring the furthest corners of Costa Rica. Drove down the Caribbean coast all the way to Panama, through the Arenal area to La Fortuna. On the Pacific coast we went from Liberia through the Nicoya Peninsula to Tamarindo and down the coast to Uvita. After seeing what dozens of town had to offer, we decided on Jaco. After living here for a few months we know it was the right choice. Here are our top reasons why:
1. Access to Adventure
Jaco’s central location on the coast provides easy access to a variety of experiences. There are day tours for white water rafting, zip lining, ATV’s, buggies, canopy tours, aerial tram rides, kayaking, rappelling, volcanoes, the list goes on. All of the adventures for which Costa Rica is famous can be accessed easily from Jaco.
2. Beautiful Chocolate Colored Beach
Jaco is famous for its surfing. There are numerous surf schools to choose from. The beach ranges from shallow pitch and soft sand to a more rugged feel with brown sand. Jaco is flanked by two additional stunning beaches. Playa Hermosa is a few minutes away, where surfing championships are held. The quieter Playa Herradura gives you the feel that you are on your own private beach. The ocean expresses a range of colors between turquoise to tan, and every shade of blue in between. This beach is a beauty and one you may never want to leave. And just so you never have to, there are bars, restaurants, even playgrounds for the kids located on the sandy edges.
3. Wild Animal Encounters
You will see Scarlet Macaws daily, and you may catch a sloth or anteater crossing the road, as we did. For more deliberate encounters, arrange a tour to the nearby crocodile river, see the monkeys at Manual Antonio National Park, take a horse back riding tour to jump off a waterfall or to view a sandy sunset, go to Esterillos Este and collect sand dollars on the mirror beach, glide through the rain forest canopy, see crocodile river or tortuga island, visit the frogs in nearby Neo Fauna or one of the many animal sanctuaries. If you like your animal encounters on the end of a pole, that can also be arranged with a deep water sports fishing tour. The list goes on.
4. Restaurants
There is a huge variety, and safe for gringo stomachs, which you can say of very few Central American locations. Many countries of the world are represented. Our favorites include an Asian, two sushi places, Colombian, Mediterranean, East Asian, Italian, Nicaraguan, and a French bakery. Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had was here in Jaco. There are also numerous Sodas representing affordable, traditional Costa Rican cooking. We were in Jaco for over two and a half months and continued to find great new places to eat tucked into the side streets. The bars and night spots are also too plentiful to name.
5. Perfect Balance for Visitors
You know you’re in Costa Rica. This isn’t always the case with small towns that welcome tourism. When we were in Tamarindo we were often in restaurants with only other tourists. We could have been back in the States. When visiting a foreign country we want it to feel like we are somewhere else. In Jaco you know you aren’t in Kansas anymore, but even a person with no Spanish can get by easily. It’s also worth noting that with three daughters, I appreciate that there isn’t a culture of cat calling. The town is geared toward being friendly and helpful to visitors. We were also surprised that on the 4th of July, Crocs Resort did a huge fireworks display, right off of our balcony. Made us feel right at home, and the girls were thrilled they didn’t miss the fireworks back home.
6. Exceptional Pampering Options
If you enjoy a little spa to go with your vacation, Jaco can deliver. Coffee and pedicures are my only two vices. I know pedicures. In Jaco I got the best and worst pedicure of my life. First I got one in town that was brutal. She soaked my feet in a small plastic bin with dish detergent and filed my big toe nail down to a point that would rip sheets. On the flip side I got a pedi at the Spa Carara at Crocs Resort which was the best I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a bunch. This woman combined a thoroughness and care that was in a class beyond any pedi I’ve ever had. If you like pampering, get one of these. I also got a great facial at Spa Carara.
For families considering a longer stay:
1. Great Coffee Shops
Let’s just deal with the most important subject first, good coffee. Anywhere I’m going to live, will need to have at least one great coffee corner, and hopefully two. Jaco has many to choose from.
2. Entertainment
Having access to a cinema is an important factor for our family and influenced our choosing Jaco. Citicinema is a movie theater that shows first release American films in English with Spanish subtitles. There is no delay in release dates, which was important to the teens on board. The seats are assigned and you can also buy your tickets online. The popcorn mix of sweet and salt is a must try.
3. Good School Options
For our two months we enrolled our daughter in a bilingual school where Spanish was the primary language. She made friends and improved her Spanish. Now she wants to return every summer. There is also an international school in Herradura, a short bus ride away.
4. Groceries
There are a number of grocery stores in town, but if you are craving some of the usual things from home, there is a grocery store in nearby Herradura. We bought hummus and other familiar brands at the Auto Mercado. There is a permanent fresh food market in town on Pops Road and with an additional weekly one on Friday mornings. For fresh fish try the store directly behind this French cafe, where you can grab a fresh baguette.
5. Easy to Get Around
You can walk anywhere in town. We bought two beach bikes which were great. That’s how our daughter got to school and how we bought groceries. You can also take a red taxi for usually under $2. Jaco is the best beach town that is a short drive to the airport. In about 2 hours you can hop a city bus for $5 or private shuttle for $39 to the airport. We had visitors who would come for a few days, and their vacation time wasn’t eaten up trying to get to us. The public bus system is also well developed here. You can get to other towns and attractions easily by bus, another perk.
6. Church
There is a vibrant expat church community that is well established in Jaco. This includes a youth program, small groups, bible studies, kids programs, outreach programs. Church goers will enjoy plugging into this group.
Jaco has everything for the perfect Costa Rican experience; from surfing to sloth, rain forest canopies to waterfalls, dirty rice to freshly caught fish. Once you experience all this beach town has to offer, you may be extending your stay, or certainly planning when you’ll return.
