I’m Emily King, 30. I squeezed Jaco into a narrow window between two hectic work seasons and hoped it would feel like more than just a blur of beach photos. I stayed in a Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment that put me within walking distance of everything I cared about.

My four anchors were Surfing on Jaco Beach, an early start on the Miro Mountain Hike, dinner at Mono Verde Restaurant, and a quick adventure out to Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour. The surf instructors were encouraging, the hike views were worth every drop of sweat, and the wildlife guides were equal parts funny and informative.

Whenever I had a few spare hours, I hopped over to Playa Hermosa to watch wave after wave roll in, rode out toward Herradura and Los Sueños for marina views, and took the bus down to Esterillos just to wander an almost empty stretch of beach. Getting around was easy—taxis and Ubers when I wanted speed, buses when I felt like being part of the local tide of people coming and going.

One scene that sticks with me: standing on a bridge watching crocodiles below while bright birds flashed overhead and a guide told stories about the river. It felt like stepping into a nature documentary for an afternoon.

Nights never felt wasted. Some evenings I went out to a bar with live music, others I stopped into a casino for a little bit of adrenaline, and a couple of nights I just walked with an ice cream from Jaco Walk and listened to the sounds of the town. I always felt safe walking alone, even late.

Heading home, I realized Jaco gave me more than just a break—it gave me a reminder that I can actually step out of my work schedule and feel human again. I’m already blocking out dates on my calendar for the sequel.