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.

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

Jacó in October
Estimated hotel price
$287
1 night at 3-star hotel
Jacó in October
Estimated hotel price
$287
1 night at 3-star hotel

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.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

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.

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

Lufthansa
Good (4,512 reviews)
KLM
Good (827 reviews)
SWISS
Good (915 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,314 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,609 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,265 reviews)
Air France
Good (966 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,539 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,882 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,485 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,530 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,361 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,642 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,489 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,332 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (311 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,310 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (828 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (993 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (776 reviews)
Show more

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.

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

Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$148+
Croc's Resort & Casino
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$283+
Selina Jaco - Adults Only
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
$50+
Jaco Lodge Quiet Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
$122+
Blue Palm Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
$107+

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.

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.

Car hire agencies in Jacó

Budget

Budget
Find car hire in Jacó

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.

Cheap meal
$11.65
A pair of jeans
$72.79
Single public transport ticket
$2.00
Cappuccino
$3.87
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