Top Things to do in Jaco
What to do and see in Jaco, Province of Puntarenas: The Best Free Things to do
The tiny hamlet of Jaco is located in the Pacific Coast province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It’s the ultimate hideaway for sun seekers and active travelers, with cinnamon-hued volcanic-sand beaches, lush green rain forest and verdant mountains. Surfers flock here from around the world, but families, and honeymooners also find much to love, thanks to the multitude of beaches, outdoor activities, dining, shopping and nightlife. Explore the Costa Rican rain forest by horseback, learning about the flora and fauna in this impressive eco-system. Take an ATV tour to beaches, remote villages and waterfalls. Try your hand at sport fishing, paragliding, sea kayaking or even bungee jumping. Spend an afternoon at the Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls, where you’ll find millions of plants, flowers and orchids from around the world. Zip line through the jungle, play a round of golf or take an aerial tram tour of the rain forest. Expert surfers will want to check out La Roca Loca and Playa Hermosa for a challenge.
Restaurants in Jaco
1. Bikinis Love Designs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Lo que actualmente es Lo Ve Design comenzó como una aventura de una chica que creció jugando en el taller de su abuela y de su madre, ambas también se dedicaron al diseño y confección de ropa. Con tan solo 17 años de edad esta joven entusiasta y practicante de bodyboarding, convino sus dos pasiones; el diseño y el mar. Hace más de 20 años; como un intento de crear diseños diferentes y al mismo tiempo que aportarán comodidad al usar trajes de baño, Lorena Vera se inició en el mundo de la confección, desarrollando su propia empresa. Empezó a hacerse sus propios bikinis; tanto fue su éxito que sus amigas comenzaron a pedirle trajes de baño diseñados a la medida, y, así de una en una; sin darse cuenta ya estaba confeccionando para marcas venezolanas y más tarde costarricenses. Hoy en día Lorena Vera se define entre dos proyectos, su tienda de bikinis y la creación de su marca de trajes de baño Lo Ve Design, como producto de una larga trayectoria y mucha experiencia.
Reviewed By Algol4ever - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
My lovely wife Angela found Bikini Love Design shop and purchased a custom made surfing bikini. It's great quality and fits live a glove. She loved it so much she bought a second 2 piece bikini. Lorena was very helpful and paid attention to all the details. Thanks Lorena!
2. Fruity Monkey Poop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Buy Costa Rican Coffee, Chocolate, Vanilla, Jewelry, Indigenous Masks and Locally Made Souvenirs. And don't forget the Fruity Monkey Poop!
Reviewed By sarahgE6173EL
My friend and I stopped in here for some coffee and ended up staying about an hour. They have so many unique gifts and locally made art, which I appreciated. Patricia was working that day and was so, so very friendly and fun to talk to! Such a kind person and would suggest this place and also Tico Pod to anyone. You'll find gifts for yourself and others! Also - their coffee is the best! Thanks you, Patricia! Love from the US <3
3. Jaco Library and Learning Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
The Jacó Library and Learning Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote literacy and education throughout Jacó, Costa Rica. Not only is it a library, but it is also a center where children can participate in reading groups, art and science projects, and various other fun and educational activities intended to supplement the learning they receive at school. In addition to programs targeting children, the Jacó Library and Learning Center also offers adults lessons in English and Spanish.
4. Tico Pod Art House & Gifts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 242 reviews
Unique, hand picked gifts and art. Supporting many local Costa Rican artists and artisans. From fine art canvases, wood carvings and fine silver jewelry to folk art and hand-made soaps; you'll find a great selection of Costa Rican products (as well as few from other Central American artists). Authentic Boruca Indian masks from Costa Rica and Chorotega Indian Pottery. Beautiful leather bags and local jewelry.
Reviewed By dangillotte
Such a great at gallery featuring wonderful Costa Rican arts and crafts. Really nice store with interesting and quirky selections like a Dia de las muertes nativity scene. Highly recommended. Affordable and fun
5. Bambu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By LotusExplorer - Streamwood, United States
This shop was recommended by Sergio, our tour guide. I'm so glad we waited to do our shopping at Bambu. There were so many beautiful art and wood carved pieces.
6. Mirador de Jaco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By 982sm - Atlanta, United States
Anytime we visit the Jaco area we stop at the Mirador. It's basically a lookout area that has the entire Jaco beach coastline for your photographic pleasure. They also have Jaco Beach in big letters so you can take a cool selfie.
7. El Miro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By O2037MVmichelep - Hartford, United States
Great hike. Free the look out points were Awesome also the abandoned building was so cool to explore. Saw monkeys lizards ants carrying leafs birds. After going to the 2 lookout points took a diff. Pass towards Hermosa beach breath taking.
8. Jaco Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,608 reviews
Reviewed By 442kristiana - Naples, United States
Pretty beach, black sand so it looks a bit like dirt but still very nice. Plenty of different Surf Schools, most charge around $10 per day to rent a surfboard, or $35 for a surf lesson. Two loungers and an umbrella are about $10 but you can negotiate depending on what else you are renting from them. If you get a surf lesson, most of the time they will give you the beach chairs and umbrella for free. Tico's Surf School was great, it's owned by their 4 times national surf champion and all the guys working there are very friendly. We negotiated the use of 2 surf boards every day for $20, and most of the time they let us use 2 boogie boards for free as long as we rent the surf boards. Boogie Boards were nice and a lot of fun too, but seemed like a ripoff if you had to pay $10 for each. (You can buy MOREY at Costco in the USA for $25-$30 almost the same quality). If you can, bring couple boogie boards with your from the USA, it can save you quite a bit of money for a week or two. You can always leave them behind when you go back, or sell them to another tourist there for $20 on the beach... :) Keep in mind High Tide is when you want to surf on this beach, which varies throughout the week and it comes different time of the day. In the beginning of our trip it seemed to be around 3pm or 5-6pm, but then it changed to 9-10am towards the end of our trip. During low tide you can still boogie board but surfing is tough if not impossible. Kids can still learn to surf on the whitewash so it's still fun. Parking is free around there, but try to park closer to the beach and don't leave valuables in your car - we saw someone lurking around our vehicle signaling another person, so ended up having to move it directly on the beach from where it was, a little walk on an adjacent street. When you get to the beach with your car, some of the surf school attendants may try to signal you to park and tell you that you can park for only $10 for the day, but don't fall for it, parking is free. Just say no I'll just park for free instead... ;) Be careful on the beach during low tide, even though it's very shallow and safe, it starts pulling in pretty hard and we saw someone almost drown, had it not been for the lifeguards that swam way past the surf to get him. Low Tide - the water recedes from the beach towards the ocean, so it pulls towards the deep ocean. High Tide - water invades the beach, so generally speaking it pushes you towards the shore. Waves were consistent everyday, with Magic SeaWeed app showing around 3-4 feet surf, but when you got in it was closer to 6'-7' every day, with some monster sets coming out of nowhere that were probably even higher. Again, between the smaller waves and the larger sets, there are plenty of waves for everyone to catch. Very easy conditions for surfing if you are a beginner. More experienced surfers go to Hermosa Beach, which is the next beach to the south. It's more desolate, and untouched, and it hosts all the surfing competitions. If you have a chance, drive down that way for lunch and try Las Olas Ahi Poke Hawaiian Style - best spent 700 colones in Costa Rica! Sit on the beach in the shade, drink and eat, and watch the surfers. If you aren't an experienced surfer, don't try surfing there, go back to Jaco :)
9. Parque Recreativo Johannes Dankers
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By 797AnnM
Nice park with beautiful flowers and garden. the park has a nice place for children to play. Well maintained.
10. Jaco Walk Open Air Shopping Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By mklosc - Tres Rios, Costa Rica
I must confess that I didn't expect much from Jaco but... it's a nice little city, certainly more welcoming than most of the cities or towns in Costa Rica. This open air shopping center is very modern and makes Jaco an interesting destination: you will find restaurants (fast or slow food) pubs, shops, mixed with art and nature. Strategically positioned in the center of the city, close to Mas x Menos, hotels and the beach, it is worth more than one visit. Dogs are allowed.
