I’m Rachel Mitchell, 35, and I came to Jaco Beach between jobs, looking for that sweet spot between “do nothing” and “do everything.” It turned out to be the perfect place. I stayed in a comfortable Beach-Side Airbnb Apartment in Jaco with just enough kitchen to cook when I wanted and plenty of restaurants nearby for when I didn’t.

Four experiences anchored my week: a peaceful Isla Damas Mangrove Tour, a colorful Street Art and Graffiti Walking Tour, dinner at Green Room Restaurant, and an especially fun night dancing at Jaco Vice Nightclub. The tour guides were knowledgeable and funny, the restaurant staff remembered my name by the second visit, and the nightlife crowd felt like a mix of travelers and locals all happy to be out under the warm sky.

Most days started with a walk along Jaco Beach, watching surfers while the light shifted over the water. On a whim, I took taxis and buses out to Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and even toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio, where I made a mental note to come back for a longer stay. Transportation was simple—Ubers and taxis when I wanted convenience, buses when I was in the mood to feel like part of everyday Costa Rican life. I always felt safe, even when I didn’t know exactly where I was going at first.

The people I met along the way made the trip feel deeper than a typical beach vacation. A woman running a little souvenir shop in Jaco Walk shared her favorite local beaches and told me about growing up in nearby Puntarenas. A bus driver pointed out where Tarcoles was and mentioned the crocodile tours like he was recommending a favorite movie.

At night, Jaco shone with neon and music but never felt overwhelming. I went out to pubs with live bands, checked out a few casinos, and spent one especially fun night at Jaco Vice, dancing with people from four different countries I’d just met. Walking back to my apartment alone late at night felt completely fine—well-lit streets, other people around, and a town that felt more friendly than edgy.

By the end of the week, I had a notebook full of ideas for my next career move and a phone full of sunset photos and new contacts. Jaco gave me exactly what I needed—a place to hit pause, recharge, and get excited about what comes next.