Welcome To Jaco - Just Plain Fun!

The Area Beaches

Costa Rica is an ocean playground. There is over 1290km (800 miles) of coastline. White sand, black sand, and the plain colored brown stuff can be found throughout. East coast, west coast, tropical and steamy or the more arid plains. They are waiting for you to explore!

Playa Jaco - We may as well begin with Jaco Beach itself (Playa Jaco) where this 'gringo' filled town gets it's name from. A fairly long beach stretching from the small creek on the north edge of town to the condos normally rented out to tourists on the south side. It's not super fine white sand beach but it is still really nice. It has some great surf at times, all the ammenities right at your 'toe tips' and nice warm water to relax in. Rent a board and try your hand at surfing or hire a coach for the day. There are several shops around town with some English speakers that can assist you in this area. You might try body surfing or just a little playing around in the shallows with the kids. Just be careful with the undertow at times as it has caught a few people by surprise that have had a little too much to drink and ventured out a little far. Respect the water and you should have a great time.

Playa Herradura - A smaller somewhat rockier beach that bumps up against the multi-million dollar Los Suenos resort and marina. The beach is not spectacular as beaches go in Costa Rica. But it's ok for a swim as long as the tide is not really low. The services there tend to be very 'Tico' oriented with local eateries beachside. You can sample the local fare here. Just ignore the regular Central American trash dump that seems to exist behind every store or soda throughout the region. The exception of course is if you head into the dining facilities of Los Suenos where you can have American type meals at American type prices and then some. Still worth 1000 or so colones taxi ride out to check it out.

Playa Hermosa - A surfers paradise. Here is a beach that can provide challenge to most surfers looking to ride. It's a great beach with big waves at times and lots of undertow. Be very careful if you swim here. I personally have used it many times (I used to live just a kilometer or so east of the beach in the Opera Salvage development. A gorgeous, well planned, relatively inexpensive at that time, community of nice homes run by a French Canadian named Gaetan - I am not sure of the spelling of his name). Some services, hotels, internet, and board rentals are available beachside but don't expect the same levels of ammenities that can be found in Jaco. Fewer people are usually on this beach as well except during the local holidays for Ticos such as Semana Santa where just about every beach will be crowded in the area.

Playa Esterillos - This beach is very pretty. Not a white sand beach or anything but still really nice. Until recently, development near the beach was quite limited but all along the Coastanera (costal highway) new high end real estate projects are popping up so things are changing fast. The beach has usually been less populated and the occasional plane that lands on the airstrip here provides for a different diversion. Privite homes are for rent from time to time beachfront. No services to speak of are available (again, that may have changed recently) so bring your own beer, munchies and sunscreen. Please make sure to help keep Costa Rica's beaches clean by taking your trash with you when you leave. Surf here can vary from strong to mild. I really like this beach myself. The beach is several kilometers south of Jaco along the main highway. Just watch for the signs for the airstrip or Esterillos itself.

Punta Leona Beaches - All I can say is Wow! Most of the beaches in this older property development are just spectacular. I have spent many a night on the beach that can be reach via the 'pulic road'. This road is a mess and can be navigated by small car if you are careful but is best handled with a small Hyundai Galloper or other small 4 wheel drive (for the ground clearance). Most of the development is private and you need to be a member, property owner, hotel guest, or invited by a resident to get in to the remaining beaches or to use the nice road. That said the beach that can be accessed publicly is great especially at sunset. It is calm and glass like at that time and you can float on your back and let your mind drift to whatever fancies you. I highly recommend checking out this beach. If you are going to visit one in the area make it this one at sunset! Sorry I cannot remember the proper name of this particular one, but it's easy enough to locate. Just head north on the Costanera past the Los Suenos / Herradura turn and keep going up the hill past some property I used to own on the left side and over the top. Keep heading down the hill until just before the bottom and turn left. This will wander it's way into the development from the backside. Keep straight on through until you get to a bad road again and try to find a parking spot where your vehicle won't be crunched. It's really tight parking but then after a small hike across a creek bottom you are on the beach. Remember to bring all your own goodies as you will not be allowed to use any of the services offered by the Punta Leona resort. They have guards watching all the exits from the beach and road. Still it's a wonderful and low cost day at the beach.

Playa Palo Seco - I think this is the name... This beach can be found near Parrita about halfway between Jaco and Quepos. Just watch for the signs. If I had to pick a favourite beach overall that I have visited frequently, then this would be it. It is a long stretch of sand with palms planted along it a while back. While it has no services at all (when I was last there in 2005) it has peace and quiet. Not many people are usually here during the week. It is a beach with tame to medium surf and you can go out a looooooong way while still touching bottom. The earthquake that happened in the Parrita area in 2005 or 2006 may have affected this beach by lifting the land quite a bit and moving the beach out a ways. It may now be very different so you might wish to inquire before heading down there. If you have a vehicle it may still be worth the trip just to see the changes to the area after the earthquake.