Jacó travel guide

A short, honest guide to visiting Jacó, Costa Rica.

Written from the fifth-floor of Diamante del Sol. Everything below is what we tell friends and guests when they ask how to make the trip easy.

Getting to Jacó from San José (SJO)

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes from Jacó by car — closer to 2.5 hours in Friday evening beach-bound traffic. A private airport transfer is the simplest option and is what the concierge here books most often; shared shuttles are cheaper but slower with multiple stops. Renting a car in Costa Rica is straightforward, but Diamante del Sol has gated parking, so a rental is only worth it if you plan to explore beyond Jacó itself.

When to visit Jacó

Dry season runs mid-December through April: hot, sunny, and reliably beach-ready. May through November is Costa Rica's green season — mornings are typically clear, with a warm rainstorm rolling through in the afternoon. October is the wettest month. The upside of green season: emptier beaches, lower rates, and jungle at its most lush. Waves work year-round for surfing, with the biggest swells May to November.

Is Jacó safe?

Central Jacó — the stretch immediately around Diamante del Sol — is a well-lit, walkable resort town with a heavy tourism-police presence during high season. The building itself has 24-hour on-site security and gated card access. Standard beach-town common sense applies: don't leave valuables on the sand, use the in-condo safe, and take a taxi or Uber home late at night rather than walking dark side streets.

Getting around town

Almost everything in central Jacó is walkable from the building — grocery stores, restaurants, the farmers' market, and surf schools are all within a few blocks. Uber operates in Jacó and is the easiest way to reach outer beaches (Playa Hermosa, Herradura) or the trailheads for waterfall hikes. For day trips to Manuel Antonio National Park or Carara, a private driver for the day is often cheaper than round-trip rideshares.

Money, tipping, and language

US dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Jacó, and most menus quote prices in both colones and dollars — you'll often get change back in colones. Card payments are widely accepted at restaurants and grocery stores; keep a small amount of cash for market stalls and taxis. Restaurants add a 10% service charge; an extra tip is optional. English is widely spoken in the tourism corridor, but a few Spanish phrases go a long way; there's a Spanish version of this site at /es.

What to pack

Reef-safe sunscreen (Costa Rica strongly encourages it), a hat, and sturdy sandals cover 90% of the trip. The condo has beach towels, so you can leave those at home. If you're planning a rainforest day trip, add a light rain shell and quick-dry pants. A refillable water bottle is easy to use — tap water in Jacó is potable.