I’m Ashley Diaz, 30, and this was my first real solo trip outside the U.S. I picked Jaco Beach because I kept reading that it was friendly, walkable, and easy to navigate without a car. All of that turned out to be true—and then some. I stayed in a Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment just a few minutes from the ocean and the main road.

Four experiences stand out as the core of my trip: Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, a stunning Waterfall Tour in Bijagual, a delicious dinner at Mono Verde Restaurant, and a fun, high-energy night dancing at Orange Pub for Dancing. Surf school staff made me feel safe and capable in the water, the waterfalls showed off just how green and alive this part of Costa Rica is, and Orange Pub proved you don’t need a travel buddy to have a great night out.

My days had an easy flow to them. I’d start with a walk along Jaco Beach, watching locals, travelers, and surfers all share the same stretch of sand. Then I’d either hang around town or hop in a taxi, Uber, or bus to check out Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the Los Sueños marina, or ride farther toward Esterillos and Bejuco. Transportation felt safe and intuitive, even as a solo female traveler with limited Spanish.

The people I met made sure I never really felt alone. The woman at the café I went to most mornings greeted me by name by day three. My waterfall tour group included a mix of couples, families, and other solo travelers, and by the end of the day we were swapping numbers and promising to send each other photos. Locals seemed genuinely happy I was there, always ready with directions or recommendations.

At night, I gave myself permission to say “yes” more often—to the live band at a beach bar, to a quick stop at a casino, to dancing at Orange Pub with people I’d met earlier in the week. Even walking home late felt safe; the streets were active, well lit, and full of other people just enjoying the warm evening.

By the time I left, I realized Jaco had quietly done something big for me: it proved that I can travel on my own, make friends along the way, and feel safe and welcomed in a new country. Jaco’s combination of beach, nightlife, rainforest, friendly people, and easy transit to places like Herradura, Tarcoles, and Manuel Antonio makes it the perfect solo-trip starter destination—and I’m already planning the next one.