This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Look for the best things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica? Then you’ve come to the right blog.
As not-so-new Costa Rica expats, we’ve been to Costa Rica more times than we can count. We enjoy the city so much, we often spend a month at a time so Daniel can surf and I can relax.
To help plan your trip, we’ve come up with the 10 best activities to do in Jaco. We have vetted these and include only our favorite tours from the best tour providers so you can book with confidence!
Our Top Choice
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal favorite tour in Jaco was this awesome ATVing tour through the jungle. Not only did we get a thrilling ride but we also got to bath in a breathtaking waterfall!
Top Things to do in Jaco
1. Ride through the jungle on an ATV
Taking an ATV through the Costa Rican rainforest is such a great way to cover a lot of ground while enjoying a fun ride. What’s great about Jaco is that it’s so close to amazing scenery that even if you only have time for a short ATV tour, you’ll still see some incredible sights.
This three-hour ATV tour is by far the best tour available in Jaco! Believe me, you’ll LOVE it! Even if you’re a beginner you will get detailed instructions about how to operate the ATV before you take off.
The best part about this tour is that it includes stops at two different waterfalls so you can cool down under the Jaco sun! Bring your bathing suit because there’s a 15-foot (4.6 m) jump from a rock platform into a natural pool at the Pura Vida Waterfall. Or, you can just swim if jumping off a cliff isn’t your style. The tour also includes a stop at the Cascada del Zorro waterfall as well as stunning mountain and ocean views.
This tour is only $95 USD and it’s the best way to see some of the wilderness Jaco has to offer – it’s hands down the best tour in Jaco, just look at the hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
Click here to check availability for this top-rated ATV tour!
2. Learn to surf!
Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in the world for surfing! But big waves can be intimidating for beginners – this is why Jaco is excellent for those learning how to surf!
If you’re completely new to surfing, take a class like this two-hour surfing lesson to learn the ropes for about $50 USD. You’ll be taught safety in the water, paddling, and how to stand up and ride the waves. Expect to stand up and ride your first wave before the end of the lesson!
What’s great about this particular lesson is that it includes rash guards and surfboards for the day – so you can keep practicing after the formal instruction is done. Beach chairs and umbrellas are also included for the day, so you can relax after riding the waves.
Check availability for this 5-star surf lesson in Jaco here!
3. Go ziplining
Ziplining is one of the most fun and popular things to do while you’re in Costa Rica! Jaco is particularly great for ziplining as you’ll be treated to views of the rainforest, mountains, and beautiful coast.
There are SO MANY ziplining tour options in Jaco that it can be hard to narrow down a great tour. I have a couple of favorites, depending on what you’re looking for.
If you’re just interested in only ziplining, I recommend this ocean and mountain view zipline tour. It includes 14 different cables that will have you soaring high above the treetops. What’s great is that the $66 USD price tag also includes transportation from any hotel in the Jaco area.
Check availability for this top-rated zipline tour here!
If you’re looking for a longer adventure, this tour combines ziplining and off-roading on an ATV! It’s a half-day tour that includes 10 ziplines, including one that’s almost half a mile long. After the zipline canopy tour, you’ll get to ride an ATV into the rainforest and drive to a waterfall, where you can also take a swim.
The tour finishes with a Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant and an ATV ride with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Nicoya Peninsula. The price for this one is around $179 USD, but considering all it offers, we think this is still a great deal!
Book here to take advantage of Viator’s FREE cancellation options!
4. Explore Carara National Park
Located only a short 30-minute drive from Jaco is the stunning Carara National Park. This is your best opportunity for walking pristine trails through the jungle. It’s the most northern Pacific coastal rainforest in Costa Rica and also the closest national park to Jaco.
The word “Carara” actually translates from the indigenous Huetar language meaning “River of lizards.” So naturally, you can expect to see plenty of reptiles here, including crocodiles!
You can choose to visit on your own, but we highly recommend going on a guided tour instead. We did this half-day nature tour which made our experience so memorable. I don’t think we would have spotted half of the animals that we did without our expert guide. They have a special spotting scope that you can look through to see the wildlife and take up close pictures. We also learned so much about the different animals in the park and the diverse ecology of Costa Rica.
This tour is also great because it includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, making it super convenient. And it only costs $31 USD for a group tour, which is great value for the experience that you get!
Book this Carara National Park tour here and get FREE 24-hour cancellation!
5. Try Paragliding
Soaring high above the ground while paragliding is an amazing (and adrenaline-filled!) way to see Jaco. Once you get up in the air, it’s so peaceful up there, and you definitely feel like you’re flying.
There are a few different options for tandem flights in the area, but we recommend this specific paragliding experience. It’s the one we did and we were very impressed with the level of safety measures taken by the company.
The paragliding flight will take you up to at least 1,500 feet (457 m) and possibly higher, depending on the day. You’ll see Hermosa Beach, Herradura Beach, and Jaco Beach. You’ll be high enough to be soaring with the birds and see the tropical forests underneath you – talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
This is known as the best paragliding in all of Costa Rica due to the thermals in the area and the views of the jungle and beach below you (check out the great reviews here!). Costs start at $179 USD per person and there are many departure times throughout the day making it super easy to fit into your busy travel itinerary.
Secure your spot here now and don’t pay until just before you go!
6. Visit Tortuga Island
The small island of Tortuga is the ideal island getaway from Jaco. Together with Alcatraz Island, the area makes up the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve. It’s home to fantastic snorkeling spots, pearly-white beaches, and lots of coconuts!
Tours to Tortuga Island are very popular from Jaco but do require a decent amount of travel. That’s why it’s super important to book a tour that offers a speed boat such as this one. The tour includes transport from Jaco to Punta Arenas with a stop at the Tarcoles River to see the crocodiles (you can read about this below.) Then, it’s off to catch your speed boat to Tortuga Island.
On this tour from Jaco to Tortuga, you’ll take a 45-minute boat ride out to the islands and take in the fantastic views along the way. Then it’s off to snorkeling spots to hopefully swim with some turtles, sharks, and lots of fish. The snorkeling here is some of the best I have seen in Costa Rica – even better than Caño Island!
Afterward, the boat drops you on Tortuga Island for a delicious lunch and plenty of drinks (beers, juice, and pop.) After that, you’ll have a few hours to relax, play volleyball, kayak, or drink lots of coco locos.
Overall, it’s really an enjoyable tour and although a long day, it’s one of the best day trips from Jaco!
Check prices and availability for this popular day tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Chase Waterfalls
Costa Rica truly is the land of waterfalls! You have to visit a few while you’re here to take some amazing photos and go swimming with the cascading water behind you. There’s nothing quite like it. In fact, I’ve done this in more places in Costa Rica than I can remember.
While there are lots of waterfalls around, they can be hard to find on your own (or on private land) and get to – especially in Jaco! Even I, an avid waterfall finder, decided to join a tour in Jaco. The best tour to experience it all is this tour that visits 10 hidden waterfalls!
This 2.5-hour tour includes a professional guide who will help you see 10 different waterfalls throughout the Las Monas Rainforest. After the initial 15-minute hike, expect to see a new waterfall every 150 to 300 feet (46-91 m)! You’ll also get the chance to swim in natural pools and jump from the top of a waterfall. It’s such a fun experience that makes you feel rejuvenated and in touch with nature.
Reserve your spot on this 5-star waterfall tour here!
8. See crocodiles in the Tarcoles River
The Tarcoles River is home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations. About a 25-minute drive from Jaco, there is a bridge over the river where the crocodiles like to hang out, and you can safely watch them from the bridge.
When we visited, we saw over 15 crocodiles, some as big as 15 feet (4.6 m)! There’s a popular sand bar where the crocodiles like to hang out about halfway across the bridge, but you’re basically guaranteed to see some—check out both sides of the bridge while you’re here!
The drive to get to the bridge viewpoint is pretty straightforward if you have a rental car, or you can take the bus as it passes right by the bridge. We rented scooters for the day for $45 USD for eight hours. You’ll need a valid driver’s license for that and a credit card for a deposit.
Once you get there, the BEST way to get up close and learn about crocs is on a crocodile cruise like this one. You’ll get to explore the Tarcoles River on a guided boat tour, spotting crocodiles, reptiles, and birds along the way. The boat also serves Costa Rican coffee and refreshments. It only costs $35 USD per person, which is an awesome deal for the up-close experience that you get.
Many people told us it was one of their favorite experiences in all of Costa Rica, and we couldn’t agree more – have a look at all the 5-star reviews here!
Learn more about the crocodile cruise and check availability here!
9. Catamaran cruise to Playa Fantasia
If you want a relaxing day on a secluded beach, this is the tour for you!
This tour starts off with a relaxing catamaran ride departing right from Jaco that’ll take you to a secluded beach that’s only accessible by boat. This beach is just as gorgeous as Tortuga Island, but much less busy!
You can snorkel, enjoy a beach lunch (included), have cocktails (included), or take part in other fun activities like Banana boat rides and volleyball.
It’s honestly one of the best beach tours available in Jaco and you’re sure to love it. The only downside is that it only operates a couple of days a week, so be sure to plan your other activities around the limited departures for this popular catamaran cruise.
See if this tour is available during your travel dates here!
10. Go horseback riding
Whether you are picturing horseback riding on the beaches of Jaco or in the jungle, you can find it here. I love horseback riding in Costa Rica as it’s really relaxing and a great way to explore without your feet getting tired from hiking!
For a horseback riding adventure with a gorgeous beach backdrop, try this tour along the beach in Esterillos. You’ll get matched up with one of their horses along with some instructions on how to ride if you need them, and then you’re off! This is a nice, leisurely ride with beautiful coastal scenery that’s great for kids or those who don’t have a lot of experience with horses.
The ride lasts about 1.5 hours and costs $85 USD per person. You can choose between a 9 am or 3 pm start time, but we highly recommend the latter option to get some stellar sunset views!
Book this horseback riding adventure on the beach here!
Where to Stay in Jaco, Costa Rica
As you can imagine, Jaco is a tourist city filled with beautiful hotels, holiday apartments, and even backpacker hostels. In fact, the hardest part about finding a great place to stay in Jaco is choosing from all the options – trust me, I’ve been there before! Here are our top recommendations:
Room2Board Hostel – $
For budget travelers and backpackers, I love Room2Board Hostel. The hostel is on the pricier side of budget hostels, but it has a beautiful pool, surf camp, yoga, and modern facilities. The atmosphere is also great for meeting other travelers.
Rates for beds in a dorm begin at $18 USD/night, and rates for private rooms with private bathrooms begin at $70 USD/night. You can book Room2Board here on HostelWorld, here on Booking.com, here on Hotels.com, or here on Expedia.
Apartotel Flamboyant – $$
If your backpacking days are over and you can spend a little more, Apartotel Flamboyant is a top choice in the medium budget range. The hotel is centrally located, and you can see the beach from the pool. The rooms are a more typical Costa Rica design, but it’s one of the best for location and amenities.
All of the rooms have a private bathroom, and the property’s gardens are beautiful. Rates for a room begin at $115 USD/night. You can check availability and book a room online here on Booking.com, here on Hotels.com, or here on Expedia.
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort – $$$
Luxury travelers have tons of great options depending on what you’re looking for. If you don’t mind staying out of town, Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is beautiful. This beachside resort is like something out of a fairytale.
Located on Herradura Beach, the resort grounds include a huge pool, restaurant, fitness center, and spa. Room rates begin at $269 USD/night. You can check availability and book a room here on Booking.com, here on Hotels.com, or here on Expedia.
For more info, check out our where to stay in Jaco guide.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
I really enjoyed our time in Jaco and found while it can be a fun party destination, that’s not all that’s here. There are so many great things to do in Jaco or the surrounding area with lots of fun day trip options. We really enjoy basing ourselves here for a while to soak up the sun and culture of Costa Rica. Hopefully, you have lots of ideas for your trip here now. Pura Vida!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you’ve found what you’re looking for. If you have, be sure to browse around some more and check out our other articles such as: