Jaco & Esterillos

Jaco, Hermosas, & Esterillos

Jaco is known as one of Costa Rica’s foundational surf towns.

Located midway between San José and Manuel Antonio, Jaco is surrounded by beautiful beaches and surf breaks.

To the north sit the white sands of Playa Leona, as well as two great surf spots: Playa Tivives and Punta Loros. At the front of town, Playa Jaco can be enjoyed by swimmers and surfers alike.

The waves at Jaco are perfect for beginners, or as a warm-up before heading south to the beaches of Hermosa and Esterillos Este.

Wildlife Tours

Jaco is located near some of the Central Pacific’s best wildlife habitats. Carara National Park, 30 minutes north of town, protects dry forest and rainforest along the Tarcoles River.

The park has a fine trail system that’s perfect for half-day walking tours.

You’ll likely spot spider monkeys and poison dart frogs, but the main attraction is the massive colony of scarlet macaws, visible twice daily during their migrations between the inland forest and coastal mangroves.

The Rainforest Aerial Tram Reserve

Nearby, the Rainforest Aerial Tram Reserve protects 222 acres of primary and secondary forest, viewable from an aerial tramway.

South of Jaco, the Rainmaker Conservation Project’s trails and suspension bridges allow you to observe sloths, iguanas, toucans, and monkeys.

Famous for its beaches and wildlife, Manuel Antonio National Park is about an hour’s drive south of Jaco.

Ziplining, Fishing, Horseback Riding & Kayaking

Other area attractions include golf and zip-line canopy tours. Horseback riding, sea kayak, and sportfishing tours can also be arranged.

The marina at Playa Herradura, just north of Jaco, serves as a launching point for full and half-day sportfishing charters.

Try your luck with marlin (August to December), sailfish (December to April), yellowfin tuna (June-October), dorado (May to October), and wahoo (May to August). Catch and release regulations are in place.