I’m Jose Flores, 44, and I picked Jaco Beach because it seemed like the perfect base between two places I’d heard a lot about: Playa Hermosa and Herradura. It turned out to be more than just a good base—it was a destination I didn’t want to leave. I stayed in a Beach-Side Airbnb Apartment in Jaco where I could hear the waves at night and be on the sand within minutes of stepping outside.

My trip revolved around four key experiences: a full day at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, heading out on the water with Los Suenos Marina Finishing, walking out to the famous Tarcoles Crocodile Bridge, and refueling more than once at Tacobar Restaurant. Between ziplining through rainforest, fishing off the Pacific coast, and leaning over a bridge to see massive crocodiles below, I got a real taste of just how wild and beautiful this region is.

Jaco itself became my comfortable middle point. Some mornings I’d surf or swim on Jaco Beach, with the green hills behind town reminding me that I was in the middle of a rainforest-meets-ocean dream. Other days I’d use taxis, Ubers, or buses to bounce between Hermosa, Herradura, the marina, and little stretches of coastline down toward Esterillos and Bejuco. Transportation was easy and felt safe at every step, which made it simple to explore as much as I wanted.

The people I met along the way made the trip feel personal. Guides at Vista Los Suenos turned a high-adrenaline zipline course into a day full of jokes, support, and information about the local ecosystem. The captain and crew on my fishing trip were patient teachers, celebrating every catch like it was a trophy. Even the woman running the small soda near my apartment checked in on how my day went every time I stopped by for coffee or a quick meal.

At night, Jaco offered just the energy level I was in the mood for. Some evenings I walked down to a beach bar to listen to live music with my feet in the sand. Other nights I visited a casino, grabbed a few drinks at neighborhood spots, and watched the constant flow of people along the main strip. Even when I stayed out late, walking home felt comfortable and safe, with plenty of others out enjoying the warm night.

Looking back, Jaco gave me everything I wanted: access to Hermosa’s waves and Herradura’s marina, easy day trips toward Tarcoles and beyond, and a town that stands strong on its own with friendly locals, great food, and nightlife. It’s not just the place between places—it’s the center of the whole experience, and I plan to make it my home base again next time I’m in Costa Rica.