We’re Jonathan Reed (32) and Emily Carter (30), and Jaco Beach was our first real beach vacation together. We wanted a place with plenty to do but also enough space to slow down, talk, and just enjoy being somewhere beautiful. Jaco turned out to be the perfect choice. We stayed in a Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment that felt like a modern little home a short walk from both the ocean and the heart of town.

Four experiences defined our trip: Surfing on Jaco Beach, a romantic Horseback riding by Sunset, a delicious dinner at Arigatos Sushi Restaurant, and watching the world go by at Jaco Walk Open Air Shops. Surfing together gave us a shared challenge and lots of laughs, the sunset horseback ride through the hills and along the water was almost unreal, and Arigatos plus Jaco Walk became our go-to combination for evenings when we wanted something laid-back but still fun.

Most days started slow. We’d walk along Jaco Beach as the sun climbed higher, feeling the warm water on our feet and watching the mix of surfers, families, and early risers. After breakfast, we’d decide whether to stay in Jaco or explore nearby. Taxis and Ubers made it easy to visit Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the Los Sueños marina, and one day we hopped a bus farther down toward Esterillos just to walk a quieter stretch of sand. Everywhere we went felt safe and easy to navigate, which made the whole trip feel more relaxed.

The people we met added an extra layer of warmth to everything. Our surf instructors were patient and funny, cheering when we finally rode waves at the same time. The guides on our horseback tour stopped often for photos and pointed out views over Puntarenas that we never would have found on our own. Staff at Arigatos, cafés, and little sodas around town always greeted us with smiles, recommended their favorites, and seemed genuinely happy to see us enjoying ourselves.

At night, Jaco’s energy leveled up in all the right ways. Some evenings we wandered through Jaco Walk, picked a restaurant or bar that looked inviting, and listened to live music with our drinks. Other nights we tried casinos, beach bars, and clubs, always surrounded by a mix of locals and travelers. Even when we walked back to our apartment late, we felt safe. The streets were lit and full of people, and there was a sense that everyone was there for the same reason: to enjoy the night.

By the time we headed home, we’d collected a pile of shared memories—sunset rides, surf attempts, late-night laughs, and quiet coffee mornings on the beach. Jaco’s combination of mountains, rainforest, ocean, friendly people, and easy access to places like Herradura, Tarcoles, and Quepos convinced us that this won’t be our last beach vacation here. It feels like the start of a tradition.