Jacó is one of the two largest party cities on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The city is visited by many tourists from many countries, mainly because it works as a transportation hub for the beaches. It has many bars and discos, and has a very active night-life.

Around and closeby
If you have a rental car, a drive along the Western Costa, it is very beautiful, and offers many opportunities to stop, take pictures, or find private, secluded beaches. Manuel Antonio, one of Costa Rica's National Parks, is an hour drive from Jacó, and is nearly a straight shot South along the Costanera highway.

Sightseeing
There are plenty of things to do, surfing and boogie boarding are extremely popular, and it's fairly inexpensive to rent a board for the day. There are many shops along Jacó's main street that offer surfboard/boogie board rentals.

Getting there
Jacó is about 80 miles from San José's airport, a beautiful drive of just over three hours.

From Juan Santamária International Airport, follow the signs toward San Ramón. After 6 miles, take the exit toward Atenas and at the stop sign, turn left. Follow the winding street until you get to San Mateo. At San Mateo, the road jogs right a block because of one way traffic (towards you). Just follow the road around and you will get back on the main drag. When approaching Orotonia, a sign directs you to the right, don't follow it(you'll get lost in the business district). Stay straight until you see the sign on the right directing you to Jacó. Follow that road to Jacó. From here on in, it is just following signs to Jacó.

There are buses going directly from San José as well.

Getting around
The city is small enough, that walking from one end to the other is not an impossible feat. But when it's hot, or it's dark, there are always plenty of taxis to take you down the strip wherever you might want to go. The taxis in Jacó are red. Don't get in a taxi that does not look official. There's a taxi stand by the main grocery store, Mas o Menos, or you can always pick one up easily outside of Beatle Bar.

There are local buses that circulate from Herradura to Jacó every hour. The bus does not go through all of Jacó, it does not travel to the most Northern side, but it you can get off at any spot in central Jacó, along the strip. The main bus stop to go to Herradura is located across the street and down the road a short distance from the grocery store, Mas o Menos.

The Herradura/Jacó bus will take you to Central Jacó, and all the way to Herradura beach for less than it would cost to take a taxi.