Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car
Local costs

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.

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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 May
Estimated package price
$629
2 travelers
Flight to Jacó
3 nights at hotel
Jacó in May
Estimated package price
$629
2 travelers
Flight to Jacó
3 nights at 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.

Airports near Jacó

FONLa Fortuna
SJOSan José Juan Santamaria Intl
SYQSan José Tobias Bolanos Intl

Airlines serving Jacó

Lufthansa
Good (7,044 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,836 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,935 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,790 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,698 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,696 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,243 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,967 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,922 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (7,961 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (3,287 reviews)
Avianca
Good (2,317 reviews)
Air Europa
Good (510 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,767 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,698 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,414 reviews)
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Find flights to Jacó

Where to stay in Jacó

The German-owned resort of Hotel Pochote Grande is situated just slightly out of town, but with an impressive spread of animals dotting their grounds. Alternatively, stay at Croc's Resort & Casino to take advantage of the great views and on-site gambling opportunities.

Popular Neighborhoods in Jaco

Costanera - this stretch of highway is the perfect way to explore the many secluded beaches along the Pacific Coastline stretching up north.

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.

Costanera - this stretch of highway is the perfect way to explore the many secluded beaches along the Pacific Coastline stretching up north.
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

See all
Paradise Bay Hotel Boutique
4 stars
Excellent (9, 477 reviews)
$187+
View
Hotel Villa Caletas
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 806 reviews)
$251+
View
Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1876 reviews)
$92+
View
Croc's Resort & Casino
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1575 reviews)
$225+
View
Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 606 reviews)
$254+
View
Best Western Jaco Beach
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1843 reviews)
$139+
View

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 rental agencies in Jacó

Budget

Budget
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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
$6.99
A pair of jeans
$43.67
Single public transport ticket
$1.20
Cappuccino
$2.32

Everything you need to know for your stay in Jacó

Other popular cities in Costa Rica

Dominical
San José
Tamarindo
Nosara
Uvita
Santa Teresa

Jacó Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Jacó city guide for the best Jacó travel tips. To help you organize your Jacó trip ideas, this Jacó visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.