Before arriving in Costa Rica, I debated for a few days which places to visit during my time in the country. There are numerous beaches to choose from in this Central American oasis, so the choice was rather tricky. Like most people traveling for an extended period, I had to do a cost-benefit analysis before determining which area to stay at, in arguably the most expensive country in Central America. I had already visited Puerto Viejo, as I discussed in my last post, Little Jamaica in Costa Rica…Puerto Viejo, and now wanted to explore another beach on the western side of the country.

There are some excellent beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, such as Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo, but they are a bit far from the capital city of San Jose. They are also more expensive to visit than other beaches in Costa Rica due to the notoriety of the location. I was only staying in Costa Rica for two weeks, and after already spending some time in Puerto Viejo, I wanted to go somewhere close to my Costa Rican base, San Jose.

After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to go to Jaco Beach. This is the closest beach to San Jose, so many Costa Ricans visit there on the weekends to get away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. I was hesitant to make the trip there after reading the online reviews of the place but ultimately decided to spend four days because of the town’s proximity to San Jose.

Jaco is a one-hour and thirty-minute drive from San Jose and over two hours if you take the bus. It is world-renowned for its excellent surfing, but has a bad reputation in comparison to the other beaches in the country.  The common comments I saw online regarding Jaco Beach were dirty, sleazy, and dangerous. These words may be relevant for some travelers when it comes to Jaco Beach, but I did not witness any of the negative aspects that were mentioned in the online reviews.

Don’t get me wrong. I would be naïve to believe that none of the seedy activities that go on in most cities around the world do not happen at Jaco Beach. As a traveler anywhere on earth, you must be vigilant and always be aware of your surroundings. However, I wouldn’t let a few negative posts about Jaco Beach deter you from visiting this underrated tourist spot.

There are many western restaurants if you are dying for a taste of home. If you are looking for some authentic Costa Rican cuisine, that is available for you as well. Also, there are various nightlife options if you are inclined to jump up and down to EDM or dance the night away to reggaeton and salsa. As for daytime activities, you are afforded all the options you have at other beaches around the world. Ziplining, ATV riding, paddle boarding, and windsurfing are just a few of the activities you can participate in at Jaco Beach.

So, to conclude, if you can go to Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo, definitely make the trip, but if you end up getting “stuck” going to Jaco Beach, do not feel completed devastated. Jaco Beach may not be as picturesque as the other beaches in Costa Rica, but it is well worth the visit if you do not want to stray too far from San Jose. Have you ever been to Jaco Beach? Leave a comment below.