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.

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.

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.

What to do in Jaco & Esterillos

Activities in Costa Rica extend over land and sea. This section of the Pacific Coast allows guests to relax, recharge, and explore the coast and inland rainforests. Apart from surfing, sunbathing, and swimming LANDED arranges privately guided experiences with our clients’ unique interests in mind. We’ve tailored experiences such as:

• Wildlife Tours
• Horseback Riding
• Zip-line Canopy Tours
• Sea Kayak
• Sportfishing
• Golf

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.

Day trips to the nearby national parks can also be arranged.

What is the Weather Like?

Costa Rica is located in the tropics and close to the equator and is considered a rainforest country with warm temperatures being characteristic throughout the year. There are two well-defined seasons:

Dry Season: December – April
Green Season: May – November

Jaco temperatures remain the same nearly year-round with average daytime highs in the upper 80s to low 90s and nighttime lows in the upper 70s. Precipitation varies by month, October being the rainiest month. The sea temperature remains suitable for swimming year-round.

These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.

Getting There

Jaco is located approximately one and a half hours by car from San Jose. From Manuel Antonio, it is approximately a one hour drive. Short regional flights connect San Jose and Manuel Antonio to several domestic airfields. LANDED can cut travel time with other destinations in Costa Rica with private charter flights.

For domestic flights within Costa Rica, you will most likely be traveling on a small aircraft which imposes weight restrictions on luggage, typically 25 pounds per person.

Start your journey today