Jacó Overview

Swimmers might be intimidated by the waves that beat against Jacó’s cinnamon-colored sands, but surfers from around the world flock here in droves to enjoy the consistent waves and energetic atmosphere. Even during the low season, the town is alive with activity as surfers still hit the water and tourists enjoy the beach and numerous shops on Jacó’s main drag. On the weekends ticos flock to Jacó for the parties and waves. Of course, all this popularity comes with a price: restaurants charge just a little more, budget accommodations aren’t quite as cheap, the streets are littered with tour agencies, the beaches are not as pristine as they once were, and drugs and prostitution become more common with each passing year. The party scene is fast-paced and runs from dusk until dawn every night. To avoid trouble, always walk with friends or take a taxi at night. Travelers looking to relax can find more peace on the black sands of Playa Hermosa, a getaway just a few kilometers south.

Buses to San José (Transportes Jacó S.A., ☎2290 2922; 3hr.; 5, 7, 9, 11am, 1, 3, 5pm; ¢1510) arrive and depart from Plaza Jacó, opposite the Best Western, 1km north of the town center on Ave. Pastor Diaz. Buy tickets early from the office at the southeast corner of the plaza. Other buses stop at various locations along the main road; a good place to catch them is from the benches near the Más X Menos. Buses to Orotina (1½hr.; 4:30, 5:30, 7, 9am, noon, 2, 4pm; ¢1000) and Puntarenas (3hr.; 5:45, 7:45, 11:45am, 1:45, 4:45pm; ¢1350) stop on the east side of the street and buses to Quepos (1hr.; 6, 9am, noon, 3:30, 5:30pm; ¢800) stop on the west side. Taxis (☎2643 1919, 2643 2121, or 2643 2020) line up in front of Más X Menos (Playa Herradura ¢3500; Playa Hermosa ¢3000). Except for those coming from San José, buses drop off passengers along the main road. Otherwise, buses passing near Jacó along the Costanera Sur Hwy. stop at the south end of town. It is a 1km walk or a ¢600 taxi ride to Jacó center.

Orientation And Practical Information

Jacó center stretches about 1km along the main road, which runs northwest to southwest, parallel to the beach. For simplicity’s sake, the road will be described here as north-south, with the far north end of town marked by the Best Western and bus station and the far south end by the post office. Several side roads and paths branch off west off the main road and lead to the beach. Playa Herradura is 7km north of Jacó; Playa Hermosa is about 5km south.

• Tourist Information: Jacó has no official tourist office, but many tour operators and shop owners speak English and are more than willing to help. Maaike, the attendant at Pacific Travel and Tours (☎2643 2520; open daily 9am-noon and 1-5pm) arranges tours, transport and provides maps and lots of other general information.
• Banks: Banco Nacional is in the center of town. Open M-F 8:30am-3:45pm. BAC is located on the top floor of the II Galeone shopping center. Open M-F 9am-6pm, Sa 9am-1pm. Banco Popular, 100m north of Banco Nacional next to Il Galeone. Open M-F 9:30am-3:45pm, Sa 8:30am-noon. All have 24hr. ATMs. A Western Union office is located next door to Mexican Joe’s. Open M-Sa 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm.
• Car Rental:
• • Budget Car Rental (☎2643 2665; www.budget.co.cr; open daily 8am-5:30pm) is located in the Pacific Shopping Center 50m north of the Jungle Bar. 21+ to rent. Drivers 18-20 pay US$40 per day extra. US$750 deposit. Cheapest car US$55 per day, US$330 per week high season, US$40 per day, US$240 per week low season. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Economy Rent a Car (☎2643 1719;open daily 8am-6pm) is located on the north side of town across from W.O.W. Surf. 18+ rentals to Costa Rican residents with a US$2000 deposit. 21+ rentals to non-residents.
  • Payless Car Rental (☎2523 9009; www.paylesscr.com), 325m north of Banco Nacional and just before the bridge. 21+. US$1500 credit card deposit. Cheapest rentals high season US$46 per day, US$276 per week; low season US$36 per day, US$234 per week. Add US$8 per day for drivers 21-23 and US$5 per day for additional drivers. AmEx/DC/MC/V.
  • Zuma Rent-a-Car (☎2643 3207; www.zumarentacar.com), 150m north of Banco Nacional, inside Centro Comercial el Paso. 24+with US$1000 deposit. Economy cars US$55 per day, US$320 per week high season, US$45 per day, US$230 per week low season. Includes insurance and 2 drivers. US$3 per day for each additional driver. Zuma also offers free pick-up and drop-off from the San José airport. Open daily 7am-5:30pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Europcar (☎2643 1721; www.europcar.co.cr), 25m north of Mexican Joe’s in the center of town. 21+ with US$1000 deposit. Economy cars high season US$42 per day, US$252 per week, low season US$37 per day, US$222 per week, not including insurance. Drivers 21-23 add US$5 per day and double the deposit. Also rent scooters for US$25 per day. Open daily 8am-4pm.
• Laundry: Lava Max (☎2643 1617), just north of Mexican Joe’s. Up to 5kg. Self-service wash and dry with detergent included ¢3500. Full-service ¢4500. Pick-up and delivery service also available. AmEx/MC/V. Aqua Matic Lavandería (☎2643 2083), 50m south of Banco Nacional. Up to 5kg. Self-service wash ¢1350, dry ¢1350, dryer sheets ¢250, pick-up ¢3000. Open M-Sa 7:30am-12:30pm and 1-5pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Parking: Public parking is available in El Paso Parqueo on Calle Bohio across from Hotel Poseidon. ¢600 per hr., ¢400 per hr. for 24 hr. parking. Come early, limited spots.
• Emergency: ☎911.
• Police: (☎2643 3011 or 2643-1881). Take Calle Bohio down to the beach and walk 50m north. The police station is located on the right. 24hr. service. An office for the transit police is located next to Clínica de Jacó. 
• Red Cross: (☎2643 3090), 50m south of Más X Menos. Open 24hr.
• Pharmacy: Farmacia Fischel (☎2643 2686; www.fischel.co.cr), on the ground floor of Il Galeone. Has a knowledgeable staff and remedies for jellyfish stings and board burn. Open daily 9am-9pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Medical Services: Clínica de Jacó (☎2264 3176 or 2643 3667), a 5min. walk south of town along the main road, just past the post office. English spoken. Open daily for consultations 7am-4pm. Open 24hr. for emergencies.
• Telephones: Most Internet cafes offer international calls anywhere in the world, with Mexican Joe’s being the cheapest (US$1 for the first 5min., then US$0.20 per min.). Public telephones located near the beach at the end of Calle Bohio and all over town.
• Internet Access: Mexican Joe’s Internet Café has 2 locations in town with the main location next to Tabacon in the center of town and the other on the north end of town near W.O.W. Surf; it advertises the cheapest Internet in town (¢500 per hr., ¢200 per 15min., ¢500 to use Wi-Fi; open daily 7am-midnight). They also can place international calls (US$1 for the first 5min., US$0.20 per min. after that), rent videos, and have private rooms for Internet and calls. Cafe Internet @ (☎2643 2089 or 2643 1518) located just north of Banco Nacional offers high-speed Internet at a slightly higher price (¢1000 per hr., ¢300 per 15min.) and can make international calls (¢150 per min.). 
• Post Office: On the south side of town, near the clinic. Follow the main road south as it curves left and make a right in front of the municiPalídad; turn right on the 2nd side-street. Open M-F 8am-4:30pm, Sa 8am-noon. Postal Code: 4023.

Accommodations

Jacó’s main drag and the surrounding side streets are lined with small cabinas and hotels, the majority of which have budget or mid-range rooms located less than 200m from the beach. A few more luxurious places cluster around the north and south ends of town. Rooms fill up quickly on weekends and during the high season, so it’s not a bad idea to reserve a few days in advance. In the low season, bargain down the prices for groups and extended stays.

• Hostel Las Camas (☎8377 3459), 50m north of the bridge across from Plaza Coral. This 4-story complex with brightly painted walls and funky accents is a haven for backpackers and surfers alike. The well-equipped common area is a great place to meet other travelers, and the rooftop patio offers spectacular views of the mountains to the east and the ocean to the west. All rooms have A/C, shared hot-water baths, access to communal kitchen, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and lockers. Check-out 11am. Dorms US$14, doubles with shared bath US$30.
• Chuck’s Cabinas (☎2643 3328), 400m north of the bridge; turn toward the beach at Mexican Joe’s, and Chuck’s will be on your left just past Isaga. The numerous surf-slang bumper stickers testify to the hundreds of surfers who have crashed here over the years. There is always a handful relaxing in the courtyard or in the hostel-style rooms. Chuck’s also rents beginner epoxy boards from W.O.W. Surf across the street (US$3 per hr., US$15 per day.) All rooms dorm-style and hold 4 people with shared cold-water bath. US$10 per person.
• Cabinas Los Ranchos (☎2643 3070; fax 2643 1810), 100m down the first side street south of the bridge. A beautiful complex just 50m from the beach with private patios, lazy-day hammocks, and a pool surrounded by towering palms attracts surfers. Los Ranchos offers simple, spacious rooms with comfy beds, overhead fans, private hot-water baths, and a night guard. Wi-Fi also available. Check-in 8am-10pm. Check-out noon. All rooms are quads US$40. Discounts available for long stays and low season. MC/V.
• Cabinas Sol Marena (☎2643 1124), right next door to Chuck’s. High-ceilinged tile rooms with cable TV, fridge and private baths are kept cool by overhead fans or A/C. Singles with fan and cold-water baths ¢10,000, with A/C and hot-water ¢20,000; doubles and triples ¢15,000/25,000.

Food

A wide range of food options are available in Jacó where everything from traditional tico fare to sushi and Argentinian steaks can be found. This variety comes with a price as even the sodas in Jacó are more expensive than normal, but eating out doesn’t have to break the bank. Watch out for nightly tourist- trap promotions, and keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for in Jacó. For those looking to cook for themselves, the Más X Menos supermarket, located just south of Banco Nacional, is well-stocked. (Open daily 8am-10pm. AmEx/MC/V. A Megasuper (☎2643 2764) is also located in Plaza Coral just north of Budget Car Rental. Open daily 8am-10pm.

• Soda Jacó Rústico (☎2643 1721), 50m down the side on the south side of Pancho Villa’s, a favorite among locals and gringos alike in search of quality típico fare that’s also inexpensive. This small soda offers filling buffet-style lunch and dinner with rice, beans, your choice of meat, salad, and drink for only ¢2000. Made-to-order dishes also available. Open daily 7am-7:30pm, Th 7am-5pm.
• Bar and Restaurant Isaga (☎2643 1467 or 2643 1412) on the north end of town, across from Chuck’s, has good food ( gallo pinto breakfast or ceviche ¢1300, casados ¢1400), cheap beer (Imperial ¢700), and jukebox (¢150). Open daily 10am-2am.
• Tsunami Sushi (☎2643 3678), upstairs in the Il Galeone complex, 100m north of Banco Nacional. Patrons can choose between relaxing lounge seating indoors or balcony seating with a great view of Jacó center. Tsunami offers classic dishes like California rolls (US$5.25), dragon rolls (US$11) and shrimp and vegetable tempura (US$8.50), as well as a 2 for 1 roll special every Tu. Open daily 5-10pm. MC/V.
• Rioasis (☎2643 3354 or 2643 0119), still known to some by its former name, Killer Munchies, is 25m down Calle Cocal, the side street just north of Banco Nacional. Sample the creatively topped wood-oven pizzas like the “Polynesian” with pineapple, ham, and coconut (medium ¢4557) or other more standard but still tasty fare like the chicken burrito with 4 kinds of cheese (¢2200) or pesto tortellini (¢4800). Free delivery in Jacó for any order over ¢5000. Open daily 11:30am-10pm.

Guided Tours

• King Tours (☎2643 2441, 2643 0170 or toll-free from the US 1-800-213-7091; www.kingtours.com), 150m north of Banco Nacional. Has a friendly, knowledgeable staff who arranges well-organized tours to satisfy all manner of adventure cravings. Tours to Manuel Antonio (US$79), Volcán Arenal (US$110), Poas (US$99) with lunch, guides, entrance fees, and A/C transport included. More adventurous activities include canopy tours (US$75), rafting (US$108), dolphin-watching from the fastest catamaran in Costa Rica (US$69), horseback riding (US$69), and trips to Isla Tortuga (US$109) with meals, guides, and A/C transport included. Open daily 8am-8pm. V.
• Green Tours (☎2643 1984 or 2643 1021), directly across from Il Galeone, has an extensive selection of tours and services. Trips include canopy tours at Vista Los Sueños (US$60), crocodile tours (US$55), rafting near Quepos (US$99), and rainforest ATV tours (US$65). Meals, water, and A/C transportation included. It also runs transport services to Manuel Antonio (US$80 per group, up to 10 people) and Volcán Arenal (US$180 per group). Full-day sportfishing tours with meals, drinks, bait, and transport provided (US$600 for up to 4 people, US$400 half-day). Open daily 8am-8pm.
• Ricaventura ATV Tours and Motorcycle Rentals (☎2643 3395; www.ricaventura.com), just north of the bridge right next to Subway. Arranges the most comprehensive ATV tours with long routes, including a tour that the owner describes as a ride through the rainforest in a golf cart on steroids. Tours include waterfall views, lookouts, and refreshments. (2hr. tour US$65, 3hr. US$85, 4hr. US$110). Ricaventura also rents scooters for US$30 per day and motorcycles for US$60 per day. Open daily 8am-6:30pm.
• An Xtreme Rider (AXR) (☎2643 3130, 8810 7271, or 8867 5089; www.axroad.com) just north of the Red Cross across from Pancho Villa’s. Runs ATV tours as well as renting motorbikes, scooters, and bicycles. Bicycles US$10 per day, US$30 per week. Scooters US$30 per day. Motorbikes US$70 per day. Open daily 8am-7pm.

Nightlife

Touted by foreigners and ticos alike as having some of the best nightlife in Costa Rica, Jacó has no shortage of clubs and bars. During the high season almost all of them are packed from dusk until dawn, and though most of the town’s hotspots slow down during the low season, nightlife on the weekends is still serious business. Be aware that Jacó’s drug problems are on the rise and prostitutes linger in many bars.

• Jungle Bar and Grill (☎8643 3911), 50m north of Payless Car Rental above Subway. Regularly visited by gringos and ticos alike, the Jungle Bar features a huge dance floor and a live DJ playing mostly Latin and Reggaeton. Lots of people dancing, pool tables, beer pong tables, and big-screen TVs showing surf footage and football are also here. Ladies nights on Tu and Sa feature free tequila 10pm-midnight. Open 24hr.
• Tabacon (☎2643 3097), in the center of town opposite Calle Bohio, a classier, more relaxed atmosphere that’s a nice break from the high-party feel of many of the other bars. That doesn’t mean that you won’t find a party here. Live bands on the weekends draw a dance crowd. Ladies Nights on M and Th with free drinks 10pm-midnight and a live DJ are always popular. Open daily 5pm-1am.
• Pancho Villa’s (☎2643 3571), toward the southern end of town across from the Red Cross. After the other bars close, a largely male crowd stumbles to this all-night joint for pricey grub, gambling, and drunken Internet perusal. Mariachis regularly stop by. Appetizers ¢2000-6500; entrees range from casados (¢2000) to lobster (¢13,900). Open 24hr. Loosely affiliated with Divas Night Club (☎2643 1978), an adult entertainment lounge located upstairs. Cover of ¢4000 includes 2 beers. Open daily 8pm-3am.
• Nacho Daddy’s (☎2643 2270) in the back of Il Galeone, just one of many stops on the Jacó blackout line. Mostly locals and leftovers fill this bar after the other bars shut down to dance salsa, merengue, and cumbia. Open daily 9pm-5am. MC/V.
• Bar/Hotel Oz (☎2643 2162), down a side-street across from Más X Menos. This large, airy bar is a nice alternative to the crowded Beatle-Jungle-Nacho-Villa crawl with lots of ceiling fans and TVs airing American sports, pool tables, darts, and taxidermied fish on the walls. Open daily 11:30am-2:30am.

Beaches And Surfing

Long renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most famous surf spots, the waters around Jacó have some of the country’s most consistently diverse waves. Jacó’s main beach has gentler swells that mellow southward—ideal conditions for beginners and intermediates. Experts craving more challenging surf head to the mouth of the river, north past Plaza Jacó, or to La Roca Loca, a sizable right break about 1.5km south of Jacó that breaks over a large submerged rock on Punta Guapinol (read: no beginners). La Roca Loca is a 30-45min. walk from the center of Jacó Beach—just head south and climb out over the rocks—or make the 5-10min. drive, park and tiptoe down a gnarly cliff. Just 5km away, Playa Hermosa has a challenging beach break also popular with advanced surfers. Farther south of Jacó are Esterillos Oeste , Esterillos Centro , Esterillos Este , and Playas Bandera and Bejuco . North of Jacó is Boca Barranca . Most of these have isolated surf spots.

Jacó is a popular daytrip for surfers all over the country, and most surf tourists pay it a visit. It is the cheapest place in Costa Rica to buy a board. The main road is loaded with surf shops that buy, rent, sell, trade, and repair boards. Most offer similar services and prices, but some unusual deals exist.

• W.O.W. Surf (☎2643 3844 or 2643 1108; www.wowsurf.net), on the northern most part of the main road 50m past Beatle Bar, has the biggest selection of surfboards for sale and rent, boogie boards and surf gear. Beginner epoxy boards US$15 for 24hr., fiberglass boards US$20 for 24hr. US$800 credit card deposit. Also offers surf lessons (US$65 for a 2hr. group lesson). Open M-Sa 8am-8pm, Su 8am-6pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• El Pana (☎2643 2125), directly across from Tabacon. Has some of the best deals on board rentals (US$10 per day, US$8 per day for larger groups) and is one of the best places to buy a used board in good condition (US$100-400). Pana himself is almost always there to help you make the best selection. Open daily 7am-9pm.
• El Roka Loka (☎2643 1806), just 50m south from Pana. Offers a good selection of used boards as well, with beginner boards (US$80-300). Boards for rent US$15 per 24hr.
• Jacó Surf School (☎8829 4697 or 2643 1905 after 7:30pm; www.jacosurflessons.com) offers the best, most-comprehensive surf lessons in town. The school operates out of a small tent on the beach at the end of Bohio Rd. The school is run by Gustavo Castillo, a pro who spent a decade with the Costa Rican national team. The 2hr. group lessons begin with 30min. of land instruction on water safety, board components, and proper technique before hitting the surf for around 2hr. Gustavo says that if you don’t stand up, you don’t pay. All instructors are lifeguard-trained and speak English and Spanish. Group lessons are US$50 per person, which includes water, fruit, and board use (US$40 without full-day board use). Private lessons also available for US$75.

Playa Herradura

Not long ago, Playa Herradura was little more than a quiet fishing village. Now, the northern shore is dominated by the luxurious Los Sueños resort, and the rest of the beach is beginning to show the effects with classier restaurants and higher prices. The southern end of the beach still offers privacy and beautiful views. Beside the resort, most of the tourists are tico families who string hammocks between the almond trees that line the narrow black beach in town. During the day, keep busy exploring the crescent-shaped bay, or, during low tide, wade out to nearby Isla Herradura, a deserted patch of land a few hundred meters off shore, and relax under the shady trees. Again, make sure you go during low tide. Public bathrooms available next to La Puesta del Sol (¢200).

Anyone seeking a drastic contrast from gringo -filled Jacó will enjoy a quiet daytrip here or a night of camping on the calm, palm-lined, black-sand shore. You can set up your tent for free along the beach with quieter spots farther south on the beach. For those without tents, the lime-green Cabinas El Almendro , on the paved road 250m before the beach, offers pink and green motel-style rooms with fans, cable TV, and private hot-water baths (☎2637 8156. Singles ¢10,000, doubles and triples ¢15,000, 4-person rooms ¢20,000.)

A few beachfront restaurants make pleasant lunch stops. La Puesta del Sol (☎2637 8003), the first place off the road to the beach, is a favorite among fishermen who bring in lobster or fish to be prepared on the spot. Barflies agree that Puesta has the best ceviche in Costa Rica for ¢1500. (Open daily 9:30am-2am, serves food after 12:30pm.) Marisquería Juanita (☎2637 8910), a fancier restaurant that specializes in exotic seafoods (mahimahi sauteed in garlic ¢5975; shrimp ceviche ¢3795). They also make a killer homemade guacamole (¢3400) with tortilla chips. (Open daily 10am-10pm)

The easiest way to get to Playa Herradura is to take a taxi (¢3500) 7km north from Jaco. Buses running to San José, Puntarenas, or Orotina can drop you off at the left-hand beach turnoff; it’s a 4km walk along a paved road to reach the beach. When you’re ready to come back, call a taxi or take one of the hourly buses that run from the beach, past Jacó on the highway and then up through Jacó from the south (6am-10pm, ¢150). Be sure to flag it down, as the buses make a fairly fast turnaround.