I’m Nicolle Carter, 29, and Jaco Beach was my first trip to Costa Rica and first real solo adventure. I booked a Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment after reading a ton of reviews, and it absolutely lived up to the hype—bright, clean, and walking distance to the beach and the main strip.

Four experiences shaped my entire week: Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, a steep and sweaty Miro Mountain Hike, craft beer and good food at Puddlefish Brewery Restaurant, and a relaxed afternoon wandering the shops and cafés at Jaco Walk Open Air Shops. The surf school was patient and fun for a complete beginner, and the guides and servers everywhere seemed genuinely excited that it was my first time in Costa Rica.

On different days I ventured beyond town—heading to Playa Hermosa to watch experienced surfers do their thing, up to Herradura and the Los Sueños area to see the boats and rainforest backdrop, and down the coast on the bus toward Esterillos, Bejuco, and even Parrita just to take in more of the Pacific. Taxis and Ubers were easy to use, and the buses were safe, cheap, and full of friendly people who didn’t seem to mind helping me figure out where to get off.

The people in Jaco made the biggest impression. A barista taught me the right way to say “pura vida” and winked when I finally got the pronunciation right. A woman working at a small grocery store recommended her favorite local coffee and then wrote down directions to her preferred stretch of beach on my receipt. I felt looked after without ever feeling smothered.

At night, I eased my way into the nightlife—starting with a quiet bar with live music, then gradually working up to dance clubs and a casino visit where I made a few new friends over the blackjack table. I always felt safe walking back to my apartment, even when it was late; the streets were bright, busy, and full of couples, families, and other travelers enjoying the warm air.

By the end of the trip, “pura vida” wasn’t just something I heard people say—it was the pace I had slipped into without even trying. Jaco is where I learned I like solo travel, and I have a strong feeling this town will be seeing me again soon, maybe with a few friends in tow next time.