Good to know
Good to Know
- El Miro requires no tickets and is a nice hike that is not too strenuous.
- For El Miro: wear sturdy shoes as the trail can be slippery, especially during the wet season; bring plenty of water as there are no facilities on-site; visit early in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
- Jaco offers free and cheap things to do including catching sunset vibes at the beach, hiking to El Miro, and spotting macaws overhead.
- Every Friday morning, locals and expats gather at the Feria del Agricultor (Jacó Farmers Market), where you can experience Costa Rica's agricultural bounty and sample free tasters of fruit, cheese, and coffee.
Must See Sites
El Miro
- Location
- Between Playa Jacó and Playa Hermosa on Route 34, south of Jaco, across the road from the Delta Jacó gas station.
- Admission
- There is no entrance fee to hike El Miro.
- Hike Details
- The hike is a moderately steep climb of under 1 kilometer, taking approximately 25–30 minutes to reach the ruins.
- Description
- An abandoned construction project overlooking Jaco, transformed into a vibrant open-air art gallery where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views and unique graffiti art. What was intended to be a luxurious mansion or hotel in the 1990s was never completed; the story suggests a wealthy man, possibly of European descent, began building it to take advantage of unmatched views of the Pacific Ocean, but passed away before it could be finished.
Jaco Beach
- Location
- City center on Avenida Pastor Diaz
- Description
- The long gray strip of Jacó Beach is punctuated by rolling hills and towering palms, while the city's main drag is lined with surfside hotels, eclectic eateries, open-air shops, and energetic bars.
Carara National Park
- Location
- Less than an hour north of Jaco.
- Description
- Located north of Jaco along the Pacific coast at the confluence of two important ecosystems, where you can walk along easy trails to spot outstanding wildlife including 400 bird species, sloths, capuchin monkeys, anteaters, parrots, and huge populations of scarlet macaws and crocodiles.
Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls
- Location
- Day trip accessible from Jaco
- Description
- Overlooking the Pacific Ocean with nature trails, streams, and views of the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica, featuring orchid gardens and toucans flying overhead with al fresco meal options on the patio.
Neo Fauna
- Location
- Drive from the center of Jaco for about 10 minutes on Route 34 towards Herradura.
- Description
- A captivating wildlife sanctuary home to a variety of butterflies, frogs, snakes, and other native creatures, offering chances to learn about local wildlife and see beautiful, vibrant butterflies up close.
Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific Park
- Location
- Just a short drive from Jaco, approximately 15 minutes by car.
- Description
- Offers exciting activities like zip-lining, an aerial tram, and nature walks, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the rainforest up close with opportunities to spot colorful birds, butterflies, and exotic plants.
Teatro Jaco
- Contact
- (506) 2630–9812
- Location
- Oceans Center, Avenida Pastor Diaz, Playa Jaco.
- Description
- Founded to bring world entertainment to the emerging coast, celebrating Costa Rica's rich history of cultural arts and bringing internationally acclaimed productions to Playa Jaco.
Museums And Galleries
Local Art and Craft Markets
- Description
- If you are an art lover or looking for unique souvenirs, you'll find a variety of handcrafted items including pottery, paintings, jewelry, and textiles.
Jaco Walk
- Note
- Contains galleries and shops featuring local artists.
- Description
- A shopping center located in the very center of Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, representing a new concept of beach shopping center.
History
- Modern Naming
- The town itself owes its name to Charles Elwood Jaco, an oil magnate who owned a company in Texas, who inherited the land and dreamt of developing it into a resort destination.
- Tourism Development
- The transformation of Jaco into a bustling tourist destination began in earnest during the latter half of the 20th century, as global interest in eco-tourism and beach vacations surged, with Jaco's stunning natural beauty and ideal surfing conditions making it an increasingly attractive destination; infrastructure improvements such as better roads and modern accommodations further fueled this growth.
- Pre Columbian And Colonial
- The Central Pacific Coast was inhabited by the Huetar people, whose main chief at the start of the Colonial era was called Garabito (giving name to the district Jaco belongs to), and the first European explorer to arrive was the Spaniard Gil Gonzalez Davila in 1522.
Practical Info
- Walkability
- Jaco is small and easy to navigate on foot, as most of the shops, restaurants, and hotels are on the main drag—Pastor Diaz Avenue.
- Best Time To Visit
- Jaco is at its most pleasant weather-wise during Costa Rica's dry season, which runs from December until April or May—hot and dry with the largest crowds around Christmas and during Holy Week. If you don't mind a little rain, the wetter months (May through November) are much less crowded.
- Suggested Duration
- Two to three days gives you enough time to relax, enjoy the beach, and get out on the water; you'll need a few more days to explore other attractions near Jaco such as Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuga Island, and active adventures in the rainforest.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Jacó
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.