I’m Justin Morgan, 25, and Jaco Beach has the honor of being the first place I ever traveled outside the United States. I wanted somewhere warm, fun, a little adventurous, and not too intimidating for a first-timer. Jaco hit that sweet spot perfectly. I stayed in a Central Jaco Airbnb Vacation Apartment that made it easy to walk to the beach, restaurants, and nightlife.

Four experiences stand out when I think about this trip: my first time Surfing on Jaco Beach, an epic day at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, a huge plate of food at Soda Jaco Rustico Restaurant, and a late night in a downtown casino listening to people cheer in three different languages. Surfing made me feel like I’d stepped into those travel videos I’d watched online. Vista Los Sueños had me flying over the rainforest on ziplines, and the soda gave me a real taste of local food in a laid-back setting.

Each morning, I walked along Jaco Beach and couldn’t believe this was actually my life for a week. I alternated between surf sessions, lazy swimming days, and little adventures—like catching a taxi to Playa Hermosa to watch more advanced surfers, or heading to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina to see boats and jungle hills all in one view. Buses were straightforward too, so I used them to ride farther along the coast toward Esterillos and Bejuco. Every ride felt safe, and everyone I met was patient with my beginner’s Spanish.

The people made a huge impression. My surf instructor celebrated each tiny improvement and never made me feel foolish for wiping out. The guides at Vista Los Sueños joked around the whole time but were clearly serious about safety. Staff at the soda and cafés answered my questions, taught me new words, and made sure I never felt out of place. It felt like everyone in Jaco was on my side, quietly rooting for me to have a great first trip abroad.

When the sun went down, Jaco turned into a neon-lit playground. I tried a couple of beach bars with live music, hit a casino or two, and just walked the main strip taking it all in—families, backpackers, couples, and solo travelers like me all sharing the same streets. Even when I stayed out late, I felt safe walking back to my apartment. The streets were busy, bright, and filled with people who were clearly just there to have fun.

Now that I’m back home, it’s hard to imagine a better introduction to international travel. Jaco gave me warm water, green mountains, rainforest, nightlife, easy transportation, and some of the friendliest people I’ve met. It set the bar high for future trips—and honestly, part of me just wants to keep coming back here instead of trying somewhere new.