I’m Chloe Mitchell, 27, and I booked Jaco Beach after a year that felt like one long to-do list. I wanted ocean air, a little adventure, and a place where I could stay out late and still feel safe walking home. Jaco delivered all of that and more. I stayed in a Beach-Side Airbnb Apartment in Jaco that put me just a short stroll from the sand and the main strip.

My four favorite experiences were Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, an amazing Miro Mountain Hike, dinner at Green Room Restaurant, and a polished, lounge-style night at Mynt Bar and Lounge in Jaco. Surf school made me feel strong and brave, the hike rewarded my effort with sweeping views of Jaco wrapped in mountains and rainforest, and Mynt’s music and hookah turned one evening into the kind of night you replay in your head on the flight home.

Days were a mix of beach time and exploring. In the mornings I walked the shoreline with a coffee in hand, stopping to watch surfers and families sharing the same stretch of sand. In the afternoons I hopped in taxis and Ubers to explore Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the Los Sueños marina, and even rode a bus down the coast toward Esterillos and Bejuco. Every ride—whether by Uber, taxi, or bus—felt safe, affordable, and straightforward.

What really got me was how kind everyone was. A woman running a café in town made sure I always had the right change and helped me practice Spanish. A tour guide on the mountain hike pointed out tiny details in the forest and talked about how proud he is of this region of Puntarenas, from Tarcoles to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Everywhere I turned, people seemed genuinely happy that visitors were there.

At night, I leaned into Jaco’s nightlife—beach bars with live music, casinos with bright lights and laughter, and clubs full of people from all over the world. The night I started with drinks on the sand, stopped by a casino for an hour, and ended up at Mynt was my favorite. Even coming home late, I felt comfortable; the streets were active and well lit, and I always saw other groups walking in the same direction.

By the time I had to leave, I felt lighter, calmer, and somehow more energized. Jaco gave me exactly what I didn’t know I needed: a place where the ocean, mountains, rainforest, and nightlife all come together with a welcoming, safe-feeling vibe. I’m already figuring out when I can come back.