Jacó & Herradura
★ Jacó
Jacó is the closest beach town from San José (1.5h drive) and accordingly popular with weekenders and party tourists. The town has a strange dual personality: daytime surf lessons and family beaches, nighttime a lively (sometimes seedy) bar and club scene. The beach itself is long and gray — not Costa Rica's prettiest, but the waves are consistently good for beginners.
For surfers, Jacó is a solid starting point: The Playa Hermosa south of town offers world-class waves for advanced surfers (regularly hosts international surf competitions). And the nearby Carara National Park is one of the best places to see Scarlet Macaws in the wild.
★ Bahía Herradura
The sheltered bay north of Jacó is home to the luxurious Los Sueños Marriott Resort and a marina. Ideal for sport fishing (marlin, sailfish, tuna) and quieter beach days. The bay is wave-free and family-friendly.
★★ Carara National Park
Located at the border between tropical dry and rainforest, Carara is a transition forest with exceptional biodiversity. The main reason for a visit: The Scarlet Macaws that live here in large numbers. In the mornings and evenings, they fly between their nesting sites in the park and the feeding trees in the surrounding area — a spectacular display in bright red, yellow, and blue. Crocodiles in the Río Tárcoles along the way are a bonus.
Carara NP: 10 USD entry. 20 km north of Jacó. Daily 8:00–16:00. The bridge over the Río Tárcoles (10 min north) offers crocodile sightings — just stop on the bridge and look down. Up to 20 crocodiles can be seen from here!
Dining in Jacó
Graffiti Restro Café · Calle Bohío — The culinary highlight of Jacó: creative fusion cuisine, changing menu with fresh local ingredients. Tuna tataki, coconut curry, handmade pasta. 10,000–18,000 CRC. Reservation recommended.
Taco Bar · Main Street — Chain restaurant (there are several in Costa Rica), but the fish tacos are honestly good and affordable. 3,000–6,000 CRC.
Soda Garabito · Calle Ancha — Authentic soda with huge casados from 3,000 CRC and an arroz con pollo for which some Ticos travel extra.