I’m Jordan Mitchell, 28, and I picked Jaco Beach because I wanted a trip that didn’t look like everyone else’s. I play a lot of pickleball back home and was curious what it would be like to mix that with surfing, beach time, and Costa Rican nightlife. Jaco made it easy. I stayed in a Beach-Side Jaco Airbnb Apartment where I could walk barefoot to the ocean in the morning and still be close to everything downtown at night.

Four experiences really shaped the week: Pura Pickleball in Jaco, Surfing on Jaco Beach, a fun, casual night at Jaco Blu Beach Club, and a big, satisfying meal at Ridiculous Burgers Restaurant. Playing at Pura Pickleball gave me a built-in community from day one—locals and travelers all mixing on the courts. Surfing became my daily challenge, and Jaco Blu plus Ridiculous Burgers turned into my favorite combination for a full evening: swim, dance, eat, repeat.

Days started with a choice: pickleball or beach first. Some mornings I walked Jaco Beach with a coffee and then headed to the courts. Other days I surfed at sunrise and played pickleball in the late afternoon. In between, I used taxis and Ubers to pop over to Playa Hermosa to watch more advanced surfers, or up to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina for a change of scenery. A couple of times I rode buses farther along the coast toward Esterillos and Bejuco just to explore. Transportation was straightforward and felt safe every step of the way.

The people made every part of the trip more fun. The pickleball crew welcomed me in immediately, offering tips and inviting me out for food and drinks after games. Surf instructors were patient and quick with encouragement. Staff at Jaco Blu, Ridiculous Burgers, and smaller cafés and sodas around town always had a smile and seemed genuinely interested in how my day had gone. It was easy to strike up conversations and make temporary friends.

At night, Jaco’s social side really came alive. I mixed evenings at Jaco Blu with visits to casinos, beach bars with live bands, and clubs along the main strip. I never felt out of place, even when I was wandering solo from one spot to another. Walking back to my apartment late felt safe—streets were lit, active, and filled with other people heading home or grabbing one last snack.

By the end of the week, I realized Jaco had given me something unique: a place where I could keep playing the sport I love, pick up a new one in surfing, and be surrounded by mountains, rainforest, and ocean all at once. Add in friendly people and easy transportation, and it’s hard not to start planning the next trip before you’ve even boarded the flight home.