Happy March! I'm so excited to share my list of the 10 best things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica. Jaco is a beach town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It holds a special place in my heart since I lived in the Jaco area for three months in 2021. Although I don't currently there, I still visit very often. It's two bus rides away from Monteverde so I usually make the trip once a month. Jaco is where I learned how to surf and it has the perfect pura vida lifestyle.
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Alright, back to Jaco! My list of the 10 best things to do in Jaco is all coming from personal experience. They aren't in any particular order. Whether you are currently living in Costa Rica or are planning a trip, this list is for you!
1. SURF
Jaco is the perfect surfing beach. Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn or someone who's been riding waves for years, you can find a perfect spot on Jaco's beach. Jaco was where Dan and I truly learned how to surf. We started off with lessons with the Surfer Factory. The Surfer Factory gives lessons, has surf camps, and rents and sells high quality boards. On your first lesson, they will guarantee to have you standing. Dan and I return to the Surfer Factory every time we come back to Jaco. Surfing is a must in Costa Rica and if you want to have an incredible experience, Jaco is the place to do it in.
2. HIKE EL MIRO
Arguably the best view in Jaco is El Miro. El Miro was once a foundation for a mansion but now has turned into a beautiful observation deck. Hiking up to El Miro is relatively short and simple. However, make sure you have closed toed shoes and are prepared to go uphill for 20-30 minutes. Once you arrive at the ruins, you can spend an endless amount of time exploring the half-built mansion, viewing the incredible graffiti, and looking out over Jaco Beach and the Pacific Ocean. We've been several times now and I'm blown away each time. This is a MUST if you are in Jaco.
3. EAT DINNER AT HOLA INDIA
Hola India is our all time favorite restaurant in Costa Rica and perhaps the world. The food is incredible, the staff is so friendly, and the vibes can't be beat. Dan and me are suckers for some fresh garlic naan especially after a long day surfing. We've been here so many times that our favorite waiter has our orders memorized! It's centrally located in the Jaco Walk, go hungry and leave with a happy tummy!
4. WALK THE LENGTH OF THE BEACH
A free and low key activity is to walk the length of the Jaco beach. The beach is about 2 miles long and gives you scenic views of the Pacific and the rustle and bustle of downtown Jaco. If you're lucky you may see some wildlife including the gorgeous scarlet macaws. Sunrise or sunset are great times to enjoy the walk but it can be done at any time of the day. Don't forget to bring water, it gets hot!
5. SHOP THE JACO STRIP
The main street of Jaco is lined with store after store selling hand crafted souvenirs, clothing, furniture, and more. If you're in the mood for some shopping, grab a few reusable bags and start walking.
6. VISIT THE JACO LOOKOUT
The Jaco lookout is a bit out of town but definitely worth it for the beautiful view. Although most people drive, it's accessible by walking or biking as well. The huge letters make for an instagram worthy picture.
7. TAKE SPANISH CLASSES
If you're in town for a while, consider taking a few Spanish classes! Learning a new language is the perfect opportunity for self-improvement. There's many Spanish schools in Jaco. Dan and I took a few classes at the IPAI Language School in downtown Jaco. We had a great experience and would highly recommend! We didn't have to sign up for any sort of plan. We paid on a class by class basis and it was very affordable. $10 for each one hour class.
8. ATV TOUR
ATV tours are a very popular tourist activity in Jaco and rightfully so, they are so much fun! We did an ATV tour in March 2021 with Riders Adventures. We had a two hour excursion which included an introduction to driving the ATVs. We drove up the mountain to a beautiful waterfall. Along the way, we went through rivers and down and up steep paths. It was the perfect adventure!
9. DAY TRIP TO TORTUGA ISLAND
A day trip to Tortuga Island is another popular excursion from Jaco. Depending on the company you choose for the tour, you'll have a day of all inclusive drinks, food, and fun. We went to Tortuga Island in April 2021 with CostaCat which left from Los Suenos (a resort and marina just north of Jaco). The day was full of fun activities including banana boat rides, snorkeling, hiking, and relaxing by the beach. The all inclusive drinks were an added bonus. Although it's a bit pricier, I would highly recommend a day trip to Tortuga Island!
10. CROCODILE TOUR
The Tarcoles River is about a 45 minute drive north of Jaco. The river is famous for its army of crocodiles roaming the waters. There are several different boat tours that offer up close views of the large mouthed reptiles. Our good friend took us to Jose's Crocodile River Tour. We had a blast finding several different crocodiles and lots of other wildlife as well.
And that's the 10 best things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica. I hope it gives you some inspiration to visit one of my favorite places in Costa Rica! Thanks for reading!
Good stuff!