A Day At The Beach, Jaco Costa Rica

Sandy shores, blue-green waves rolling onto shore, the hot heat of the Central American sun. What’s not to love about a day at the beach in Jaco? Playa Jaco is a well-known beach destination—national and international tourists flock here to enjoy the sun and sand. Life in Jaco Beach revolves around the shoreline. Early risers hit the sand before it gets too hot for long strolls with their dogs. Families head down to the beach in the afternoon to soak up the sun and cool off in the ocean. Surfers follow the tide and will be in the water whenever the waves are pumping. When sunset hits, the whole town can be found on the beach enjoying the beautiful display of color. Make sure you make some time for beach activities during your Jaco beach vacation!

Jaco Beach is a two-mile stretch of sandy and rocky shore. You can walk from the north to the south end in less than an hour. The best time to walk along the beach is during low tide, as the water line recedes significantly, leaving ample space for flat sand. Different points along the beach offer different views and activities.

The north end of the beach is a bit longer than the south end, with more space on the sand for beachgoers to set up. There also tend to be fewer people on this side of the beach when compared to the south end and the center. A few points of interest here include Clarita’s, where you can get something to eat and enjoy happy hour, or Croc’s casino and resort, where you can pay for a day pass to use their beach-front pool. During low tide, you can cross the river at the far end of the beach, and you’ll find a little beach dotted with large rocks. Fishermen often stand on rocks farther out in the ocean, looking for the day’s catch. You can keep walking along, and you’ll come to some flat rocks and cliffs where you can find tide pools to soak in.

Walking from the north towards the center of town, you’ll find the beach crowded with families, surfers, and beachgoers. With many beachfront bars and restaurants, there are plenty of places to grab a bite and have a few refreshing cocktails. You’ll also find plenty of great surf spots and countless surf shacks offering board rentals, surf lessons, and umbrella and chair rentals. Beach volleyball and impromptu soccer games are also common, so bring your beach games for fun. 

The south end of the beach is also more crowded than the north but not as packed as the center. The south end is protected by a rocky outcropping which blunts the power of incoming swells. This is the best place for beginner surf lessons as the waves are smaller and much more manageable. You can also cross over the rocks at the end during low tide here and you’ll find a small beach covered in rocks with some big shady trees.

There is so much to do at Jaco Beach! There are countless ways to enjoy the tropical sun, from surfing and long beach walks to beach volleyball and sunbathing. We recommend the early morning for beach walks before the sun gets too hot. If you’re hoping to sunbathe and relax, we recommend sunscreen! The sun is hot, hot here this close to the equator, and you don’t want to ruin the rest of your vacation because of a bad sunburn. If you’re looking for surf lessons, check out Jaco Inn Surf Club. This boutique surf hostel offers surf lessons for beginners and coaching for more advanced surfers.

To have the best time you can on the beach, make sure you are observing the lifeguard’s rules. The central lifeguard tower is located in the center of the beach near Calle Bohio. You can follow the lifeguards on Instagram (@jacoguardavidas) for updates on the currents and state of the ocean. During the dry summer months (January – April), the waves are small, and swimming is easy. In the rainier months, the swells get bigger and currents stronger. Ensure you never go deeper than you are comfortable with, and always pay attention to the lifeguards. It’s also not recommended to leave valuable belongings un attended on the beach.