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Jaco Beach
Beach

Jaco Beach

Costa Rica
4.6
(1,500 reviews)
23
Tours Available
Free
Adult Entry
half day
Recommended Duration
December-April
Best Time

Overview

Jaco Beach is a popular beach destination known for its vibrant atmosphere, beautiful coastline, and excellent surfing conditions. It's a hub for tourists offering a mix of relaxation and adventure.

Jaco Beach is one of the most famous and accessible beaches in Costa Rica, known for its golden sands and lively beachfront community.

Surfing Nightlife Tourist Hub

Location

Address

Playa Jacó

Neighborhood: Playa Jacó

Coordinates

9.583300, -84.633300

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday Open 24 hours
tuesday Open 24 hours
wednesday Open 24 hours
thursday Open 24 hours
friday Open 24 hours
saturday Open 24 hours
sunday Open 24 hours

Admission

Adults
Free
Children
Free

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

December-April

Best Time of Day

Early morning

less crowded, better surfing conditions

Duration Recommendations

Minimum
2 hours
Recommended
half day
Full Experience
full day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

warm and dry

  • • beach clean-ups
  • • surf competitions

summer

hot and rainy

  • • nightlife events
  • • beach parties

autumn

cooler and drier

  • • whale watching
  • • sea turtle nesting

winter

warm and dry

  • • holiday decorations
  • • festive events

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

  • Book accommodations early
  • Bring sunscreen
  • Check surf conditions

What to Bring

essential

swimsuit towel sunscreen

recommended

surfboard water shoes hat

seasonal

rain jacket umbrella

not allowed

drones glass containers

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: moderate for surfing

  • • strong currents
  • • rip tides

Medical facilities: nearby clinics available

Payment Information

Accepted

cash, credit cards

Currency

Costa Rican Colón (CRC)

Typical Costs

entry $0
parking $5
food $10-$20
souvenirs $10-$30
surfboard rental $15

Dress Code

casual, beachwear, comfortable shoes, flip-flops, water shoes, inappropriate clothing

Booking Tips

  • • 1-2 months
  • • online travel agencies
  • • 24 hours
  • • available for tours

Amenities

Restrooms
Gift shop
Atm
Wifi
Lockers
Wheelchair rental
Stroller rental
On site restaurant
Cafe
Picnic areas
Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Jaco Beach Guide

Size: 30 MB

Features: Map, Surf conditions, Event calendar, Restaurant recommendations

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Cafes, Restaurants

Charging Stations: Restaurants

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

Distance: 60 km

Travel Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

taxi
$80 1 hour 15 min
public_transport
$10 2 hours

From City Center

Distance: 70 km

bus
$5 1 hour 30 min
taxi
$70 1 hour 15 min
rental_car
$50/day 1 hour 15 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Beautiful beach, vibrant community

Historical Significance: Developed as a surfing and tourist hub in the 1950s

Insider Tips

  • Best surf spots are less crowded early morning
  • Local seafood is fresh and delicious

Local Recommendations

  • • Try the local seafood
  • • Visit the nearby waterfalls
  • • Explore the town's nightlife

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Hola
thank_you Gracias
where_is ¿Dónde está?
how_much ¿Cuánto cuesta?
beautiful Hermoso
ticket Boleto

Guide Languages: Spanish, English, French

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Main beach

Best Time: Golden hour

Tips: Wide shots of the beach

Result: Beautiful beach scenes

#JacoBeach #CostaRica

Sunset point

Best Time: Sunset

Tips: Capture the sunset over the ocean

Result: Stunning sunset photos

#Sunset #Jaco

Photography Rules

allowed areas beach, public areas
prohibited areas private property
flash photography allowed
commercial photography permit needed
drone policy restricted
tripod policy allowed
selfie sticks allowed

Nearby Attractions

Manuel Antonio National Park

Distance: 40 km

Walking: N/A

Type: National Park

Carara National Park

Distance: 30 km

Walking: N/A

Type: National Park

La Selva Biological Station

Distance: 50 km

Walking: N/A

Type: Nature Reserve

Reviews

4.6

Based on 1,500 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

  • "Visit early for best surf"
  • "Try local seafood"
  • "Explore the town"

Contact Information

Related Tours & Activities (2)

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Quick Info

Available Tours

23

Rating

4.6 / 5.0

Reviews

1,500

Adult Entry

Free

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