We’re Brandon Price (37) and Emma Hughes (35), and our Jaco Beach trip was all about reconnecting and having fun again. We both work full-time and realized we hadn’t taken a real vacation together in years. Jaco ended up being the perfect choice. We stayed in a cozy Central Jaco Airbnb Condo where we could walk to the beach, restaurants, and nightlife in just a few minutes.

Four standout experiences became the backbone of our trip: Surfing on Jaco Beach, a romantic evening at Mynt Bar and Lounge, shopping and strolling at the Los Suenos Marina Shops, and a lingering dinner with ocean views at el Hicaco Restaurant. Surfing together had us laughing like kids, Mynt turned into our dressed-up date night with cocktails and music, and Los Sueños gave us a taste of just how beautiful the Central Pacific coastline really is.

Most days started with a walk down to Jaco Beach. We’d grab coffee, feel the sand under our feet, and watch surfers ride waves with mountains and rainforest rising behind the town. From there, we’d decide whether the day was going to be a “stay in Jaco” day or an “explore” day. Taxis and Ubers took us easily between Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the marina area, and one afternoon we hopped a bus farther down toward Esterillos just to walk a quieter beach and listen to the waves.

The people we met were a huge part of why we fell in love with Jaco. Our surf instructor joked with us for hours and cheered every decent attempt to stand up. A server at el Hicaco talked us through all his favorite dishes and made sure we got the best view of the sunset. Even quick encounters at shops, cafés, and convenience stores came with smiles and genuine warmth. It felt like everyone was rooting for us to have a good time.

At night, Jaco turned date-night mode all the way up. We split our evenings between beach bars with live music, a bit of low-key casino time, and places like Mynt where the lighting, music, and energy made it feel like we’d stepped into a music video. We felt completely safe walking back to our condo after midnight, with plenty of other couples and groups on the streets and an overall relaxed, friendly vibe.

By the time we boarded our flight home, Jaco had given us exactly what we needed: shared experiences, adventure, late nights, quiet mornings, and a feeling of being welcomed everywhere we went. Between the beaches, the mountains, the nearby spots like Herradura and Tarcoles, and the people who made every day feel special, we know this won’t be our last Jaco date vacation.