Costa Rica

Jaco Activities

Aerial Tram

Take in the panoramic vistas on an open-air gondola while slowly ascending through the rainforest canopy. At the Rainforest Aerial Tram Pacific, on the outskirts of Jaco, visitors can choose from several combo tours that include a tram ride plus a canopy tour, or a stroll through the park’s serpentarium and heliconia flower garden.

ATV & Dune Buggy Tours

Explore the hills and mountains surrounding Jaco on an all-terrain vehicle or dune buggy. Test your limits on unpaved trails during half and full-day excursions. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit, as tours often include a pit stop to swim below waterfalls. Guided tours include safety helmets, bilingual guides, refreshments and roundtrip transportation.

Bird & Wildlife Watching

Carara National Park is one of only two areas in Costa Rica where scarlet macaws are endemic. Other wildlife in the park includes sloths, anteaters, toucans and white-faced monkeys. Marking the northern border of the park, the Tarcoles River boasts one of the planet’s biggest populations of American crocodiles, with an average of 63 per square mile. If visiting between July and December, check out the Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting along the Hermosa Wildlife Refuge's protected shores.

Bungee Jumping

Get that adrenaline pumping on one Jaco's most exciting adventure tours. Pacific bungee offers a big swing, rocket launcher, and a 120-foot bungee jump with water touchdown. Dare to defy gravity on any one of these thrilling activities. 

Canoeing & Sea Kayaking

Canoe and sea kayak tours depart from Playa Agujas daily. Explore coastal ecosystems aboard an outrigger canoe that seats up to eight people. Tours include transportation, equipment, guide and a tropical fruit snack. Alternatively, try traveling by single or double sea kayak to the many deserted beaches nearby, all of which are ideal for wildlife watching and snorkeling.

Canopy Tours

There are five adrenaline-pumping canopy tours in the Jaco area, each offering dramatic views and thrilling rides. Excursions can include combinations of an aerial tram ride, zip-lines, suspension bridges, rappel lines and Tarzan swings. Soar through the rainforest at breakneck speeds; the longest zip-line in the area spans 2,400 feet and towers 130 feet above the ground. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes. Cameras are not needed as most companies provide professional photography services for an extra fee. 

Day Spas

Relax and unwind with a therapeutic hot stone massage or a ginger-lime body wrap at one of Jaco’s day spas. Treatments include facials, pedicures, body scrubs and pampering packages. Or, let the spa come to you and reserve a hotel visit with a certified therapist. 

Farmers’ Market

Jaco’s farmers’ market is held every Friday by the soccer field. Browse fresh, locally grown produce available at very reasonable prices. Trinkets, clothing and handmade crafts are also available. 

Gambling

Gaming fans can try their luck at Texas Holdem' and other favorites at the Stellaris Casino in Los Suenos Resort, Hotel Cocal and Casino, or the Jazz Casino located in Hotel Amapola, at the southern end of Jaco beach. 

Golfing

Los Suenos Marriott, in neighboring Playa Herradura, features an 18-hole, 72-par championship golf course designed by Ted Robinson. Signature hole #4, El Toucan, is named for the colorful species that frequently flies overhead. Green fees typically run between $80 and $130. 

Hiking

The easy trails of Carara National Park offer excellent hiking and wildlife watching opportunities. Leisurely paths range from one to two miles in length. Many outfits in Jaco provide guided tours that include transportation, a naturalist guide and beverages.

Horseback Riding

Discover backcountry roads and hidden waterfalls on a guided horseback trip. Half and full-day excursions are available, and horses are matched to riders according to ability. It is worth paying a little extra for a tour operator who specializes in horseback excursions; their animals are well-cared for and ultimately provide a more enjoyable experience for both horse and rider.

Jet Skis

Rent a jet ski by the hour or day to visit isolated bays, pristine beaches and hidden island caves.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes can be rented in downtown Jaco for $15 a day. Guided tours are available for all levels, and offer phenomenal ocean vistas and challenging mountainous terrain. Keep an eye out for scarlet macaws, toucans and snakes. One popular turtle-themed excursion includes a visit to the Olive Ridley turtle sanctuary at Playa Tulin.

Safari Crocodile Tour

Meander down the Tarcoles River and its mangrove estuaries. Observe herons, egrets, ibis, kingfishers, and the real highlight – enormous American crocodiles. The two-hour boat trip includes transportation from Jaco, bilingual guide and beverages.

Sunset Sailing

Deluxe catamarans set sail from Jaco and specialize in half-day and sunset sailing cruises that include snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin watching and a light lunch.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Both snorkeling and diving trips leave from Los Suenos Marina where boats travel to remote beaches, nearby reefs and islands. Divers are likely to encounter graceful marine creatures like sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and white tip reef sharks. Local dive sites near Herradura are comparable to those at Tortuga Island. Snorkelers will enjoy the clear waters and better visibility off Tortuga Island. Full or half-day packages for either sport can be arranged. 

Sport Fishing

The warm waters off the central Pacific coast offer phenomenal sport fishing year-round. Charters leave from Los Suenos Marina in Herradura Bay, and giant sailfish are the main target. Offshore fishing is typically done 15-30 miles out, and anglers regularly pull in marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and tuna.  Inshore fishing is done near reefs, river mouths and estuaries where roosterfish, snapper, mackerel and snook are common. Single and multi-day packages are available to suit just about any budget.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

This unique sport combines kayaking with surfing and is a fantastic workout, particularly when winds are rough. Paddle boarding tours last from 2.5 to 4 hours, and feature destinations like Herradura Island, Punta Leona, Playa Agujas and Villa Caletas.

Study Spanish

Several Spanish schools provide intensive immersion courses ranging from one week to several months. Students usually receive four hours of language instruction per day and are encouraged to participate in cultural activities from cooking classes to salsa dancing. 

Surfing 

There are surf shops galore in Jaco, all of which offer board rentals and surf lessons. Novice wave riders will be surfing solo in no time with the help of experienced instructors. Boards typically rent for $20 a day, but prices are often negotiable. Several surf schools and camps have combo packages that include lessons and excursions to hot surf breaks in the area. Note that many surf breaks are named after the landmarks nearest to them. 

• Jaco Beach: Year-round beach breaks are perfect for surfers of all levels. Waves are smaller along the south end of Jaco, where they are protected by the bay’s natural formation. Crests toward the middle and northern ends of the beach are larger and have better shape.
• Crazy Rock: Roca Loca is a rock bottom wave located between Jaco and Hermosa. For the experienced only, its strong currents and shallow rocks make for a challenging ride. To the north, Claritas is a hotspot named for the well-known restaurant.  Nearby, El Bohio is the most popular local place in town. Its right break peels off of a large rock, and is best when there is a good southwest swell.
• Playa Hermosa: One of the biggest beach breaks on the country’s Pacific Coast, this favored spot just south of Jaco boasts seven distinct surf points along its six-mile shore. Terraza is the first break, located in front of the hotel: a rock creates a long, powerful wave with a reputation for churning out perfect barrels. Next comes Fuego to the south, followed by Cabinas Las Olas, a beach break that never fails to draw a crowd. Other great spots include The Backyard, El Almendro, named after an almond tree, and La Chanchera, the pig farm.

Whitewater Rafting 

Whitewater rafting trips to the Naranjo and Savegre rivers are available from the Jaco area.  River runners can paddle Class III-IV rapids on a variety of tours ranging from half to multi-day adventures. Those preferring a more tranquil experience can paddle the Class II rapids of the Parrita River.

Yoga

Lose yourself in a beachside yoga or Pilates session, offered daily for $10 per class. Various styles including Hatha, Bikram and Vinyasa flow are offered; dawn and dusk are the most scenic times to participate. Local studios often advertise yoga retreats and workshops featuring guest teachers and personalized instruction.

Jaco Travel Guide