Jaco Beach is south of Puntarenas and north of Manuel Antonio on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast and is a great place for surfers and those looking for a good time. The beach is a curved 2 and a half mile strip.

It is popular among Costa Ricans as well as visitors because it is less than two hours from the capital, San Jose.

This is a great surfer’s beach with many big breaks and constant waves. There are also several other great surfing beaches nearby such as Playa Hermosa and Playa Herradura that have some large waves. Two great surfing schools are the Third World Surf Camp and the Jaco Surf School.

Jaco is Costa Rica’s wildest party beach with a lot of active night life. There are discos, nightclubs, casinos, and dive bars.

Eco-tourists can enjoy horseback rides, canopy tours, and hiking through the bordering jungles. The best thing to see is the Carara Biological Reserve that is nine miles north. It is a vital nesting ground for scarlet macaws. Because the macaws migrate daily, it is best to hike the reserve’s hour-long trail at sunrise or sunset, when they’re most active.

There is also great sport fishing out at sea. The beaches north and south of town are much more scenic, and safer for swimmers.

September and October are Jaco Beach’s rainiest months, while January through April are the driest (and receive the most tourists). In between, rainfall is on and off.

There are many Internet cafes, banks, tour operators, a post office, health clinics, good shopping, and restaurants serving international cuisine. One can also find a wide variety of hotels available in Jaco, from the budget lodgings to luxurious hotels.

Jaco is a great place to come get away from San Jose or a great place for surfers to stay and catch a wave.