Jacó travel guide
Jacó Tourism | Jacó Guide
You're Going to Love Jacó
Located on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, Jaco is famous for its lush rainforests and access to world-class outdoor sports including surfing, sport fishing, hiking, ziplining, and bungee jumping.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Jacó
1. Rainforest Aerial Trams
Take a ride through the rainforest canopy in the skies and view some of Costa Rica's most stunning natural scenery through a combination of hiking, ziplining, and air trams.
2. Del Mar Surf Camp
Learn how to surf in one of the world's most popular surfing destinations. Del Mar offers both surf lessons as well as relaxing yoga retreats near Jaco beach.
3. The Costa Rica Coffee Experience
Sample the local beans used to brew some of the most popular coffee in the world at this working plantation and roastery.
4. Carara National Park
Take one of the park's daily tours through this impressive rainforest, known for its native scarlet Macaw population.
5. Tárcoles
This area offers one of the most impressive shows, the Crocodile Man Tour, where a man routinely feeds 15-foot crocodiles while wading in the muddy river.
Where to Eat in Jacó
Rustico is popular among locals for serving the local "casado", a meal consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, tortilla, and your choice of meat. A casado and drink costs ₡3,400.
When to visit Jacó
The dry season between December and April is the perfect time to visit Jaco, with plenty of sunshine to enjoy both the beaches and rainforest excursions.
How to Get to Jacó
Plane
Most visitors fly into the Costa Rican capital, San Jose and then connect via Grayline or Interbus to Jaco.
Car
Routes 27 and 34 will guide you through Costa Rica from San Jose to Jaco. The journey takes a little under two hours.
Bus
There are many buses terminating at Coca Cola Station in Jaco. From San Jose, the trip costs around ₡2,800 and takes 3-4 hours.
Airlines serving Jacó
Where to stay in Jacó
Costanera - this stretch of highway is the perfect way to explore the many secluded beaches along the Pacific Coastline stretching up north.
Popular Neighborhoods in Jaco
Manuel Antonio - this area just an hour outside of Jaco features a large National Park complete with waterfalls, coral reefs, tropical rainforests, and a large monkey population.
Downtown - this central neighborhood contains the most bars, restaurants, and shopping opportunities.
Where to stay in popular areas of Jacó
Most booked hotels in Jacó
How to Get Around Jacó
Public Transportation
The northern end of Jaco houses the main bus terminal. A one-way fare costs ₡280.
Taxi
Taxis in Jaco are red, and a typical fare in the city center is ₡1,500.
Car
Rental vehicle prices start at ₡4,500 a day and can be picked up at multiple locations throughout the city.
The Cost of Living in Jacó
Shopping Streets
Tico Pod Art House & Gifts, opened in 2013 and sells traditional Costa Rican handicrafts and arts. Plaza Coral is the biggest modern shopping mall with international brands and a wide spread of food, clothes, and homewares.
Groceries and Other
Más X Menos and Maxi Palí are the two main supermarkets. A dozen eggs costs ₡1,400.