I’m Ethan Scott, 33, and I decided to spend my birthday week in Jaco Beach instead of at home in the cold. Best decision I’ve made in a long time. I stayed in a Downtown Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment that gave me easy access to the sand, the restaurants, and all the nightlife I could handle.

Four highlights defined the week: Surfing on Jaco Beach, a full adventure day at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, a feast at Peppers Grill and Seafood, and a birthday night that started at a beach bar, moved through a casino, and ended at Mynt Lounge Jaco. The surf lessons were fun and approachable, the ziplines gave me that adrenaline rush with epic rainforest views, and Mynt’s music, cocktails, and hookah made the night feel like something out of a movie.

During the days, I bounced between relaxation and exploration. Some mornings were all about floating in the warm Pacific and reading under a palm tree; others meant hopping into taxis and buses to explore Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the Los Sueños marina. I even rode down toward Parrita and Quepos just to see more of the Central Pacific coastline. Every ride felt safe and simple to arrange—taxis, Ubers, and buses all worked seamlessly.

The people of Jaco made the birthday week feel personal. A barista stuck a candle in my pastry when she heard it was my birthday. A local I met at a bar pointed out his favorite lookout spot on the hills and recommended a couple of tours around Tarcoles and Carara National Park for my next visit. Every interaction felt warm and genuinely kind.

At night, Jaco came alive in the best way: dance clubs with DJs, casinos with a constant buzz, beach bars with people from all over the world, and mellow lounges like Mynt where you can still hear yourself talk. I went out almost every night, made new friends, and always felt safe walking back to my apartment, even in the early hours.

When I think about that birthday, I don’t remember any stress—just waves, rainforest, friendly faces, and the lights of Jaco shining against the dark hills. This is officially how I want to celebrate big milestones from now on.