Things to Do
Jaco is a small, yet extremely active town geared towards surfers, parties & nightlife. As you walk down the “strip,” you will find countless surf shops, restaurants, bars, discos and a variety of accommodations (including La Hacienda and Backyard Bar). This is the ideal destination for surfers or young travelers looking to be in the middle of the action. Carara Biological Reserve is located about 25 minutes north, you will find the unique opportunity to see the scarlet macaw, hundreds of species of flora and plenty of other wildlife including the occasional toucan.
Local activities include surfing, fishing, canopy tours, horseback riding, kayaking, and more.
Other Adventures
- Surf Lessons in Hermosa - Duration is 2–3 hours, and includes transportation, surf instructor, surf board.
- Tortuga Island Tour - The Original “Calypso Catamaran Cruise”. Particularly enchanting for it’s beauty, Tortuga Island is known for its immaculate white sand beach and turquoise waters, a perfect stop for swimming, snorkeling and Calypso’s Famous Lunch. GREAT food.
- Hermosa Canopy Tour - This is an exciting look at one of the few remaining transitional forest in Costa Rica . The Tour consists of 11 suspended platforms and a hanging bridge from tree to tree in order to reach the other platform, connected with steel cables, the total length around seven hundred meters (+2000 feet). The height of the platforms vary from 60 to 120 feet above the ground.
- Kayak & Snorkeling in Jaco - Includes transportation, guide, kayak, water, fresh fruit buffet, snorkeling equipment. Duration: 3 hours approximately
- Horseback Riding in Herradura - Includes transportation, guide, horses.
- Sportfishing in Herradura - All full day charters include lunch, beverages, bait and tackle.
- Manuel Antonio National Park - A half day trek that includes transportation, entrance fee & snacks.
- Aerial Tram - What a ride! Includes transportation to and from the Park, meal, guide, optional hike, all transportation at the Preserve. The Pacific Rain Forest Tram is about two hours from San José (108 km) and is located 2 miles from the main entrance to Jacó Beach.
- Carara National Park - Carara National Park covers a low mountainous area of 15,000 acres of an interesting ‘transition’ forest between the Dry Tropical Forest and the Rainy one. Home of many mammals, as well as the rare Scarlet Macaw and vast number of species of plants and trees. Appreciate the wonders of this intricate eco-system. And there’s monkeys!
- ATV Tour - Includes drinks & snacks. Explore Costa Rica with an ATV! Modern equipment with all the fixings.
Things to Avoid
- Disco Central: once a great dancing spot, the ambience has turned a little dark and we recommend avoiding this area
- Do not park your vehicles on the beach or main road with ANY valuables inside as petty theft is created by temptation.
