Jacó

Surf, a sandy beach and an easy drive from San José make Jacó a practical Pacific base for a Costa Rica trip.

Find a room in Jacó Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Jacó

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Jacó is a beach town on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, roughly two hours by road from San José. Surfers come for the waves. The main road runs through the town center, lined with restaurants, bars, surf shops and hotels, so evening options sit close by.

Jacó suits travelers who want a sandy beach, time in the surf and a manageable drive from the capital. Tárcoles crocodile viewing and Carara National Park are the best-known day trips north of town. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the usual pick for beach days, while the green season, roughly May to November, brings more rain. Three days covers the town and one or two outings. Longer stays suit people who want to split time with nearby beaches such as Playa Hermosa or Herradura.

Jacó in five

Ask before you swim, even in front of the hotelCosta Rica's tourism board describes Jacó's bay as having strong currents, and surf here is not casual wading. Ask at a surf school or your hotel desk which section is safest today.Where to stay in Jacó
Keep out of river mouths near the surf beachesCrocodiles are regularly seen along this stretch of coast, so ask locals before wading near river mouths. The Central Pacific Coast guide has the full warning.Central Pacific Coast
Stop at the Tárcoles bridge on the way in or outCrocodiles are visible from the highway bridge over the Tárcoles River, and boat tours run to the river mouth for birds and reptiles. Park only in the signed lots, away from the roadside.Jacó in 3 days
Keep the rental car emptyCanada's travel advice flags Jacó, including the Tárcoles crocodile viewing area, for theft and calls car break-ins very common. Check in first, then go out.
Decide between Jacó and Manuel Antonio before bookingJacó is cheaper to reach and better for surf and nights out; Manuel Antonio is better for a protected park with beaches inside it. Few trips need nights in both.Jacó or Manuel Antonio

Things to do in Jacó

See all attractions in Jacó

Sight · JacóJacó Walk Mini Golf

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to JacóPut the places you like in Jacó on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: San José (SJO); the tourism board puts Jacó about 1.5 hours away
Getting there: Rental car, shuttle or bus from San José, via the coastal highway
Getting around: Walk the main strip; taxi or bike to Playa Hermosa and Herradura
Best base: Town strip for nights out; Playa Hermosa for surf
Time needed: 2 to 3 nights

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Dry, busy
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Dry, sunny
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Driest, hottest
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Transition month
MayRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains start
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Green season
JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Little summer
AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Little summer
SeptemberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wettest
OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wettest
NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rains ease
DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Jacó, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Jacó

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Jacó

04:00 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today26°22°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue26°22°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
Wed22°21°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 97%.
Thu24°21°93%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 93%.
Fri23°21°97%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 97%.
Sat27°21°100%Saturday: Rain. High 27°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun28°22°99%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 99%.

Updated 12:23 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC

Amount

Converted to

CRC · Costa Rican Colón

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Manuel Antonio National Parkabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carRainforest trails and beach coves; a long day, better with a night.Read the guide
Carara National Park and Tárcolesabout 20 to 30 minutes north by carForest walks, plus crocodiles under the river bridge.
San Joséabout 1.5 hours by car or shuttleA realistic last-day stop before an evening flight.Read the guide

Before you go to Jacó

Hotels in Jacó, Hermosa or HerraduraMatch the beach to your eveningsCheck availability

Tárcoles and Carara outingsWildlife by boat or on footCompare tours

eSIM for the Pacific coastMaps along the coastal highwayRead the guide

Cover for surf and board gearCheck theft and board-sport clausesRead the guide

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Rules for Jacó, checked

Canada's travel advice flags Jacó, including the Tárcoles crocodile viewing area, for theft.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Avoid leaving luggage in a parked car, in view or in the trunk, and watch wallets and valuables on the beach (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

All Jacó guides

green trees near body of water during daytime

ItineraryJacó in 3 days: Tárcoles crocodiles, Carara forest and a surf lessonChecked Oct 3, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Jacó: town strip, Playa Hermosa, Herradura or EsterillosChecked Oct 3, 2026

Head to headJacó or Manuel Antonio: which Pacific base fits your trip?Checked Oct 3, 2026

Plan around Jacó

All of Costa Rica

Parks, coasts, seasons and entry rules for the whole country

Read the guide Central Pacific Coast

The whole stretch from Puntarenas to Dominical

Read the guide Manuel Antonio

Beaches inside a small national park

Read the guide Quepos

South along the coastal highway to Manuel Antonio.

Read the guide

Jacó FAQ

Is Jacó worth visiting?

Yes for a beach, surf and restaurants within a short drive of San José, and for day trips to Carara and Manuel Antonio. Skip it if you want empty beaches or a protected-park feel, which suit other stops.

Is it safe to swim at Jacó?

Currents are strong on the bay, so swim near other people, stay out of river mouths and ask a surf school about the day's conditions. The tourism board lists Jacó among the country's surf places, which means waves and currents, not a calm pool.

How far is Jacó from San José?

Costa Rica's tourism board gives about 1 hour 30 minutes. Leave early on weekends and holidays, and allow extra time if you need to return a rental car before a flight.

Is Jacó good for beginner surfers?

The tourism board lists Jacó among the country's surf places. Beginners should book lessons from an expert, pick a spot with few people and avoid Playa Hermosa's stronger waves.

Should I stay in Jacó or Manuel Antonio?

Jacó for surf, nights out and a flexible base near Carara; Manuel Antonio for a park with wildlife and quieter hillside hotels. The comparison post walks through transport, evenings and rainy-season trade-offs.