I’m Emily, 26, from Chicago, and I just got back from a girls’ trip to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica that honestly exceeded every expectation. We wanted somewhere warm, fun, and relatively easy to reach, and Jaco turned out to be the perfect choice. The drive from San José through the mountains to the coast was gorgeous, with misty hills and views toward the Tarcoles River and the lush countryside of Puntarenas. By the time we rolled into Jaco and saw the palm trees and long stretch of beach, we knew we’d picked the right spot.

We stayed in a gorgeous Airbnb vacation rental apartment downtown, a modern Jaco Beach Airbnb near restaurants and nightlife. The apartment had two bedrooms, cold A/C, a nice little kitchen, and a balcony where we could drink coffee and watch the town wake up. Our host messaged us a long list of recommendations for tours, local sodas, and where to get the best ceviche. The building felt very secure, with gated entry and friendly staff, and we always felt safe coming and going, even when we walked back late from the clubs along the main strip.

We picked a few highlight activities so we’d still have plenty of time for beach lounging. Our first full day we took a surfing lesson at the Jaco Surf School, and the instructors were patient and super encouraging, getting all of us standing up on our boards in the whitewater. Another day we booked a ziplining tour through the rainforest near Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park, flying over green canopy and spotting macaws in the distance. We also did a Miro Mountain Hike one morning, climbing up to see the famous graffiti-covered ruins and taking in sweeping views of Jaco Beach and neighboring Playa Hermosa. On our last day, we headed to Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls, where the gardens felt like something out of a movie with tropical flowers and butterflies everywhere.

At night, Jaco really comes alive. We tried different spots each evening: one night at Orange Pub for dancing, another night at Jaco Vice Nightclub where the DJ kept the crowd going until late. We also spent a fun evening at Cocal Casino for gambling, playing a few games and enjoying drinks by the pool. One of our favorite stops was Mynt Bar and Lounge, which had a sleek atmosphere and great music; we even checked out the hookah at Mynt Lounge in Jaco next door and ended up staying for hours talking with other travelers. Everyone we met was incredibly friendly, and as a group of women we always felt that the town was welcoming and surprisingly safe.

Getting around was super easy thanks to taxis and Ubers, and even buses are a solid option if you want to explore nearby places like Herradura, Hermosa Beach, and further down the coast toward Esterillos and Bejuco. The whole Jaco area combines beautiful beaches, mountain backdrops, and that lush green rainforest that Costa Rica is famous for, all in one place. Locals constantly greeted us with smiles, and you can tell that tourism is part of their way of life in a positive, welcoming way. I’d recommend Jaco Beach to any group of friends looking for a fun, safe, and unforgettable escape with a perfect mix of adventure and nightlife.