Playa Hermosa - Puntarenas

The town of Jaco offers the same cosmopolitan amenities as San Jose including a Mas X Menos (local supermarket chain), high-speed Internet, pharmacies, several banks and a post office. Travelers can stock up on forgotten or misplaced items in one of the numerous boutiques or surf shops in town. Most pharmacies have English speaking staff and a pharmacist who can fill many prescription medications. 

Cell Phones

Cell phone reception is fairly reliable in Jaco; tourists have easy access to cheap prepaid services – Claro, Full Movil, Kolbi, Movistar and Tuyo Movil all offer prepaid SIM chips starting at $5, including service for Blackberry smartphones and iPhones.

Public Phones

A few pay phones can be found along Jaco’s main street Pastor Diaz.

Internet

Many restaurants, cafes and hotels offer their patrons free Wi-Fi. Additionally, visitors can pay around $1 an hour for high-speed connections at one of the Internet cafes.

Post Office

The post office, located on the southern end of town across from the Clinica Jaco, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Banks

Local banks like BAC San Jose, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular and Banco Nacional have branches in town along the main street for cashing traveler's checks or exchanging money; each has an ATM for cash withdrawals.

Gas Stations

Travelers can gas up on their way in or out of town at a gas station on the south end of Jaco along Route 34.

Medical Facilities

The closest major public hospital, Hospital Monsenor Sanauria, is located in Puntarenas, less than an hour away by car. The Jaco Red Cross (Tel. 2643-3090) can address minor injuries and has ambulance service. Several private clinics in town have bilingual staff who can attend to minor maladies or check-ups.  For all major emergencies, dial 911.

Jaco is best known for its surf. The beach is unique in that it offers waves for both beginner and more advanced surfers with four tides a day, smooth spilling waves at the south end and fast, hollow waves with powerful breaks at the north end. Nearby Hermosa Beach is known for its world class waves and Playa Esterillos rounds out the top three with good waves and a local vibe.

Jaco's got more than one flavor for action/adventure though. Drop by the Tarcoles River on the way in from Jaco for a river Safari tour that take you up close to 18-foot-long crocodiles, join a horseback riding tour on a trek into the jungle or at the beach, explore different beaches inside the Nicoya Gulf on kayaks or visit one of the area's canopy tours.

People come to Jaco for the surf and the sun and you'll find both in abundance. Surfers will want to drop in on the waves in Jaco, Hermosa and Esterillos beaches. For a little more seclusion and local culture visit Playa Esterillos or Playa Bejuco while socialites will want to stick around Herradura and Jaco for the night life.

But there's more to Jaco than surf, sand and restaurants. Visit the thick, transitional rainforests of the Carara National Park to see plants and animal life from both the dry and wet regions of Costa Rica – and flocks of scarlet macaws. Beside Carara, some 2,000 crocodiles swim in the Tarcoles River while the Neofauna butterfly farm has tens of species floating about its gardens.

Air:

Jaco does not have a regional airport.  However, Jaco is only an hour and a half from Juan Santa Maria International Airport in Alajuela.  The closest air terminal to Jaco serviced by local carriers, Sansa and Nature Air, is located 50 minutes away, in Quepos, Manuel Antonio.

Bus:

From San Jose: Buses depart from the Coca Cola Station (Avenida 1 and Calle 16) at 5 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.; 2223-1109.

From San Jose to Hermosa Beach: Any bus heading south of Jaco, like those to Quepos or Manuel Antonio, pass by Hermosa beach. A taxi to Hermosa Beach from Jaco costs between $10-$15; buses from Jaco to Hermosa cost $1.

Collective Shuttle Bus:

Shuttle buses depart from both downtown San Jose and the Juan Santamaria International Airport to Jaco and its surrounding hotels. Prices are $45 per person each way; surfboards cost an additional $15 for transport. Departures are scheduled at 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily from hotels in San Jose and 8 a.m. and 3:55 p.m. from Juan Santamaria Airport  ( minimum of two people required for the afternoon).

Car:

Driving time from San Jose to Jaco is just over an hour and a half, depending on traffic and road conditions. The fastest route is via the Caldera Route 27, which travels from the western edge of San Jose to south toward the Pacific coast.   Exit right on Route 34 toward Orotina then follow the signs to Jaco. Expect to pay around $5 in tolls - payable in Costa Rican Colones.

The town of Jaco's basically a two-mile stretch on the main street of Pastor Diaz where you'll find most of the restaurants, bars and night life. While it's easy enough to walk around town, you're better off renting a car if you want to visit the nearby beaches of Hermosa a 15-minute drive, Herredura a 10-minute drive, Esterillos a 30-minute drive or Bejuco a 40-minute drive (although the local bus will also take you there).

On foot

Jaco is best explored on foot. The paved sidewalks of Pastor Diaz parallel the beach with its array of shops, boutiques, galleries, cafes, restaurants and bars close to the shore. Beach goers can quickly wander from the beach for a bite or do some shopping while in their bathing suits. Shopping plazas, supermarkets, pharmacies, banks and restaurants are all within walking distance of all downtown Jaco hotels.

Bikes, motorcycles & scooters

Some hotels offer free use of mountain bikes for guests, at others visitors can rent a beach cruiser for $10 per day. Another option is to rent a scooter ($90 per day) to visit the area's parks, gardens and other attractions.

Bus

For Herradura Beach: A bus runs between Jaco and Playa Herradura hourly from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For Carara National Park: To reach Carara National Park, catch any bus bound for San Jose, Orotina or Puntarenas for about $1; simply tell the driver you wish to get off at Carara.

For Hermosa, Esterillos or Bejuco Beach: Catch a local bus from Jaco to Quepos or Manuel Antonio that run every two hours and cost about $1.

Taxi

Taxis are both affordable and quick for local sightseeing, especially if shared by three or four people. Official taxis are red and come equipped with a meter. It’s always better to negotiate a fare beforehand for any long distance trips. Jaco taxi telephone: 2643-3030 / 2643-2020 / 2643-1919

Sample One-Way Fares:

Jaco to Playa Hermosa: $10-$15
Jaco to Esterillos: $30
Jaco to Herradura/Los Suenos $15
Jaco to Carara National Park: $25
Jaco to Bejuco: $35
Jaco to San Jose: $90-$100

Eating is an art, especially on vacation. Jaco restaurants bank on good food, rustic/chic atmospheres and thriving nightlife. Curl up and watch the sun go down on the beachfront at Bohio sports bar with a boca (Costa Rica tapa) and a bottle of ice cold beer, enjoy $2 dollar margaritas and the tropical tuna tar-tar at  Mono Verde, or stop by the Backyard bar in Hermosa Beach on Wednesdays for the ever-popular Ladies' Night. Jaco's got at least one bar for every taste from casual beach bars, to chic tapas bars, pubs, nightclubs and even a couple of casinos.

But let's not chew the fat, if you enjoy eating, you'll like Jaco. It has the widest array of delicious restaurants this side of San Jose. We're talking beachside sodas (small family-owned restaurants), burger joints, taco shacks and beach eats for all that daytime casual goodness like the gigantic mahi-mahi pitas at Caliche's Wishbone; from $2 roadside burgers to $12 pitas. 

At night, Jaco can really class it up with restaurants like Lemonzest and its French-fusion menu (duck confit…drool), Tsunami and Arigato's sushi plates or any of the Los restaurants at Los Suenos marina, Lanterna's Italian cooking, Bambu Asian cuisine and El Galeon – a fine dining restaurant with what may be the best prime rib in the whole country; Entrees ranging from $12 to $50.

Jaco has the most affordable hotel and hostel prices, plus widest access to restaurants, nightlife and surfing. It is however, just the central hub for all the smaller satellite beaches, each with its own benefits:

• Herradura Beach is known for its marina, golf course and luxury beaches

• Hermosa Beach has the best surf and good parties

• Playa Esterillos has a solid beach community, natural beauty, good surf and a local vibe

• Playa Bejuco has a secluded natural atmosphere.

Jaco Beach

Most of the hotels in Jaco are located near the main road of Pastor Diaz. There's a wide variety of prices and most are within two or three blocks of the beach. It's the best place to stay for those interested in the nightlife. Good for solo travelers, surfers, couples and families.

• For about $15, you'll get a shared dorm or private bedroom, shared bathroom, A/C, Wi-Fi, pool. Most hostels have common rooms, some have kitchens and many do not offer breakfast

• For about $80, you'll get a comfortable room within two blocks of the beach with twin or queen beds, cable TV, A/C, Wi-Fi, safety deposit box, pools and breakfast.

Herradura Beach (six miles from Jaco)

A popular destination for locals from San Jose, home to the Los Suenos Marina, the Marriot and the La Iguana golf-course. Good for families, honeymooners and couples.

• For about $200, you can find rooms with themes like the Spanish colonial style found at the Marriot where the rooms have every luxury including but not limited to mini-fridge, security deposit box, A/C, WiFi, TV, and breakfast, huge pools and ocean views.

Hermosa Beach(two miles from Jaco)

The best spot for surfers who want to ride some of the best waves Costa Rica has to offer. Lots of hotels along the beach, but the north-end has the most famous break. Good for surfers and solo travelers.

• For about $100, you'll find rooms with twin- and queen-size beds, TV, Wi-Fi, A/C, pools and breakfast, on the beach.

• For about $200, you can find luxury rooms with queen- and king-size beds, good views, pools, fully equipped kitchens, flat screen TVs, A/C, Wi-Fi, balconies, patios and breakfast, on the beach.

Playa Esterillos (15 miles from Jaco)

Far enough from Jaco to escape the mass tourism, close enough to enjoy the nightlife. Esterillos has good surf, a community feel, a couple of restaurants and at least one bar depending on what part of the beach you're on. Good for families, couples and surfers.

• For about $15, you'll find some small surfer casitas near the beach with basic amenities.

• For about $65, you'll find simple accommodations on the beach with twin- or queen-size beds, Fans, WiFi and breakfast.

• For about $200, you'll find beautifully decorated and fully furnished rooms on or near the beach, with Jacuzzis, outdoor and indoor showers, mini-fridge, security deposit box, A/C, WiFi, TV, and breakfast.

Playa Bejuco (20 miles from Jaco)

Playa Bejuco is a long and secluded beach with only two hotels (Hotel Playa Bejuco and Hotel Delfin) and a mini-super. This area has natural beauty and is great for couples and families who are most interested in the beach and the hotel.

• For about $80, you'll find spacious rooms with double- or queen-size beds, pools, A/C, TV, Wifi, safety deposit boxes, close to the beach with breakfast.