Jaco Beach Travel Guide

Free Guide: Experience the vibrant surf, sun, and nightlife of Jaco Beach, Costa Rica's premier beach destination on the Central Pacific Coast.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Jaco Beach

A brief summary of Jaco Beach

Experience the vibrant surf, sun, and nightlife of Jaco Beach, Costa Rica's premier beach destination on the Central Pacific Coast.

Jaco Beach, located in the Puntarenas Province, is a vibrant and bustling beach town known for its surfing waves, lively nightlife, and accessibility from San José. This popular destination attracts surfers, partygoers, and families alike, offering a diverse range of activities and amenities.

4.4 Very good · 1,620 Google reviews
Address
Puntarenas Province

Getting there

Public Transport

From Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), take a taxi to Terminal 7-10 in downtown San José; official taxis are orange with green triangles. The ride is approximately 25 minutes and costs around $25-30. From Terminal 7-10, board the 'Transportes Jaco Route 665' bus to Jaco. Buses depart at 7 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 7 PM. The bus ticket costs approximately 2,860 CRC (about $5.50 USD) and the journey takes about 2 hours. From the Jaco bus station, taxis and Ubers are readily available to reach your final destination for around $2-4.

Private Shuttle

For a more direct route from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), pre-book a private shuttle. Several companies offer this service, with prices ranging from $120 for up to 2 people, plus $10 for each additional passenger. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This option provides door-to-door service, eliminating the need for transfers. Be sure to confirm if the price is all inclusive.

Taxi

Taxis are available from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to Jaco Beach. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. The taxi fare can range from $110 to $180. Official airport taxis are orange with green triangles. Ensure the driver uses a meter or negotiate the fare beforehand.

Driving

From Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), take Route 27 towards Caldera and then continue onto the Costanera Sur Highway (Route 34) until you reach Jaco. The drive takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. There are tolls on Route 27, so have local currency (colones) for payment. Parking in Jaco varies; beach parking lots charge around 1000 colones (about $2 USD). Jaco Walk Open Air Shopping Center also offers parking packages.

Discover more about Jaco Beach

Overview

Jaco Beach, situated on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, has transformed from a small fishing village into a thriving tourist hub. Its popularity stems from its proximity to San José, making it a convenient getaway for locals and international travelers. The opening of the modern Route 27 highway in 2010 further enhanced its accessibility.The town boasts a 2.5-mile stretch of beach renowned for consistent surfable waves, attracting surfers of all skill levels. Jaco's history dates back to indigenous settlements, but it wasn't until the mid-20th century that it began to develop as a town, initially sustained by fishing. The global surfing craze in the 1960s and 70s cemented Jaco's reputation as a surfing mecca, drawing visitors from around the world.Today, Jaco offers a wide array of lodging and dining options, catering to various budgets and preferences. The town's vibrant main street features everything from fine dining to casual taco stands. Jaco is also a popular base for exploring nearby attractions such as Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara National Park. While Jaco is known for its lively atmosphere and nightlife, the northern and southern ends of the beach offer quieter, family-friendly environments.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Explore Jaco Beach on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Jaco Beach, mapped for you.

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Jaco Beach, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from opening hours and how to get there to Eve’s tips and the best time to go, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Unlock the best of Jaco Beach

Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours with entry, and walking tours of the area, booked in a few clicks.

See all tours and tickets

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

More to explore near Jaco Beach

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery.

Activate your presence Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Explore more

South Pacific
More of the region

Explore more of South Pacific

Discover the untouched beauty of Costa Rica's South Pacific region, where pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and incredible wildlife await.

Explore South Pacific
Costa Rica
More of the country

Explore more of Costa Rica

Discover Costa Rica, where lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and incredible wildlife create a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Explore Costa Rica
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to South Pacific, Costa Rica

Discover the best of South Pacific, Costa Rica with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore South Pacific, Costa Rica like never before with Evendo. Your comprehensive, free travel guide app for attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • History of South Pacific and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • Easy navigation through the app and the destination
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and amenities
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs

Welcome to the South Pacific, Costa Rica - a paradise waiting to be explored. With Evendo, your journey through this stunning region will be nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine having all the information you need at your fingertips, from famous landmarks like Corcovado National Park and Marino Ballena National Park to hidden gems and local favorites.

Evendo offers detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities, making it the ultimate travel companion. Discover renowned spots like the enchanting Nauyaca Waterfalls, the lively Dominical Beach, or the serene Osa Peninsula. Savor local cuisine at top-rated eateries such as Exotica Restaurant and Marino Ballena Restaurant.

The app provides images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, ensuring you can seamlessly plan and organize your trip. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for what to see and do, and how to get there. Evendo allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences all in one place.

With features like the history of South Pacific, travel essentials, curated local tips, and an easy-to-navigate interface, Evendo ensures you get the most out of your visit. The 'Near me' feature helps you find attractions and amenities around you, no matter where you are. And the best part? The app is 100% free, forever.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.