We’re Zachary Reed (33) and Olivia Clark (31), and Jaco Beach was our very first stop on our very first trip to Costa Rica. We wanted somewhere easy to reach, fun, and close to other places we’d heard about. Jaco could not have been a better choice. We stayed in a bright, open Contemporary Airbnb Apartment near Jaco Beach that quickly felt like home.

Four experiences anchored the trip: trying Surfing on Jaco Beach together, a fun and slightly muddy ATV Jungle Ride, a relaxed dinner at Tacobar Restaurant, and a night of dancing and people-watching at Jaco Blu Beach Club. Surfing together gave us stories (and wipeouts) we’ll laugh about for years, the ATV tour took us deep into the hills and rivers behind town, and Jaco Blu’s beachfront energy reminded us we’re still pretty good at staying out late.

We used Jaco as our hub for exploring the region. One day we visited Playa Hermosa to watch serious surfers tackle bigger waves. Another day we went up to Herradura and wandered the Los Sueños marina area, soaking in the contrast of jungle hills dropping into the water. We also took a bus down the coast toward Esterillos and Bejuco to walk quieter beaches with hardly anyone else around. Every ride—taxi, Uber, bus—felt safe and easy to coordinate.

The people we met made Costa Rica feel instantly welcoming. Our ATV guide joked with us the whole tour and shared stories from growing up near Tarcoles. A woman at a small bakery in town insisted we try her favorite pastry and smiled when we came back for it again. Everyone we interacted with seemed genuinely happy visitors were there, not just tolerating us.

At night, Jaco turned into a string of options. We tried a casino for an hour, lingered at beach bars with live music, and spent one big night at Jaco Blu, dancing under the stars and cooling off in the pool. Walking back to our apartment late felt safe; the streets stayed lively and well lit, and there were always other couples and groups heading in the same direction.

By the time we moved on to other places like Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Jaco had already set a high bar. It gave us our first taste of pura vida: warm water, green hills, friendly faces, easy transportation, and nightlife that fits whatever mood you’re in. We started our Costa Rica story here, and we’ll definitely circle back.