My name is Ethan, I’m 29 and from Denver, Colorado, and this was my first time visiting Jaco Beach in Costa Rica. I’d heard for years that the Pacific coast of Costa Rica was the perfect mix of surf town energy, good nightlife, and lush rainforest, and Jaco absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment I stepped out of the shuttle and saw the long dark-sand beach backed by green mountains, I felt like I’d landed in a postcard. The whole trip felt easy, relaxed, and still full of adventure, and I honestly can’t stop telling my friends they need to book a ticket to Jaco as soon as possible.

I stayed in a modern Airbnb vacation rental apartment just a short walk from the beach. I booked a stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb apartment with fast Wi-Fi and air conditioning, which turned out to be the perfect home base. The building felt safe, the neighbors were friendly, and the host shared tons of local tips about where to eat and which tours were actually worth it. Having a kitchen and a comfortable living room with a balcony meant I could relax between activities, and being close to the center of town made it super easy to walk to restaurants, shops, and the beach. It felt way more personal than staying at a big resort.

On this trip I focused on a few key activities instead of overloading my schedule. My first morning I went surfing on Jaco Beach, renting a board right on the sand and paddling out into warm water with gentle rolling waves. A couple of days later I signed up for an ATV jungle ride that took us up into the hills above Jaco, where we rode through mud, crossed little streams, and stopped at a lookout with epic views over the coastline toward Playa Hermosa and all the way up the Puntarenas region. I also booked a waterfall tour in Bijagual, hiking through lush rainforest to swim under a cool cascade, and one evening I headed to Villa Caleta for sunset happy hour, watching the sky turn bright orange over the Pacific.

Evenings in Jaco were all about the nightlife, and the town did not disappoint. I checked out a few different places, from small local bars to bigger dance clubs and casinos. I spent some time at Croc’s Casino Hotel for gambling, tried my luck on the tables, and then walked back along the beach under the stars. One night I ended up at Jaco Vice Nightclub dancing with a mix of locals and tourists until late, and another night I stopped into Mynt Bar and Lounge, which had a cool, upscale vibe and great cocktails. The people in Jaco were incredibly friendly, and as a solo traveler I always felt included in conversations and never unsafe walking around the main strip.

What really surprised me was how easy everything was logistically. Taxis and Ubers were simple to get, and I even used a local bus one day to head toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio for a quick look at that area. The roads between Jaco, Herradura, Hermosa, and Esterillos are in good shape, and everywhere you look you see green hills, palm trees, and glimpses of the ocean. Jaco itself felt very safe and welcoming, with locals who genuinely seem to love tourists and are proud of their town. Between the beautiful beach, the rainforest-covered mountains, the fun nightlife, and the laid-back community, this trip made me fall in love with Jaco Beach, and I’m already planning my next visit.