Jaco Costa Rica

The Beaches Around Jaco Costa Rica

Located at the heart of the central Pacific coast, Jaco Beach is the most popular beach destination in Costa Rica and is the closest beach town to the capital city of San Jose, attracting both national and international tourists with its year-round surf, national parks, world-class sport fishing and vibrant nightlife. Named the ‘Leading Beach’ of Central America by the World Travel Awards 2007, Jaco Beach is a gateway to many other attractions the country has to offer and is an ideal holiday base from where to venture out to explore other parts of Costa Rica.

Jaco Beach offers countless adventures, tours and unique experiences. Whether you are here for adventures or relaxation, Jaco Beach has something for everyone. With the growth of tourism, Jaco has seen a significant increase of restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, health spas and entertainment venues, serving not only tourists in the Jaco area but also visitors from the nearby Los Suenos Marina and Golf Resort and from Playa Hermosa, both are within a short drive from Jaco.

For beginners and intermediates surfers, Jaco Beach has the ideal condition with gentle waves that break on cinnamon-colored dark sand, as has been discovered by surfers from around the world who has created a subculture in Jaco revolving around surfing which is now also embraced by the locals. Advanced surfers who are after more challenging surf head to nearby Hermosa Beach which reputedly has some of the best surfing in Central America.

Located just a few kilometers south of Jacó, Hermosa Beach is where intermediate and expert surfers find the perfectly cascading waves, regularly reaching heights of 8- 13 feet and breaking powerfully onto the endless ink-black sandy beach. During a high tide, dozens of skilled surfers can be seen in and out of the white wash. The best surfers are found on Hermosa Beach during the annual surf competition held by a local Hotel usually in the month of May.

If surfing is too much to handle, you can still enjoy the beaches by trying out windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, white-water rafting, or old-fashioned swimming.

Between Jaco and Quepos are a string of beaches that can be accessed easily from the well-paved Costanera highway which winds along the Central Pacific Coast, many of them are quiet and deserted at most times, such as Playa Esterillos, Playa Palma, Playa Bandera, and Playa Bejuco. The tiny beach communities feel remote and peaceful. The beaches are only slightly busy during Christmas and Easter holidays, but otherwise the pristine beaches and waves are yours to enjoy. Surfing is good at Playa Esterillos Oeste and Playa Bejuco, where big waves break on soft, white sand. Conditions are generally similar to those at Playa Hermosa.

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