We’re Justin Rodriguez (35) and Megan Wright (33), and Jaco Beach ended up being our best “just us” trip so far. We stayed in a cozy Central Jaco Airbnb Vacation Rental right in the middle of things but just far enough off the main road that nights were quiet when we wanted them to be.

Four experiences really shaped our week together: a sunset Horseback riding by Sunset tour on the beach, a fun and splash-filled Waterfall Tour in Bijagual, an incredible dinner at el Hicaco Restaurant, and a polished, candlelit-feeling night at Mynt Lounge Jaco. Every guide, waiter, and bartender seemed genuinely excited we had chosen their town for our getaway.

We used Jaco as our home base while we explored nearby gems. We rode out to Playa Hermosa to watch surfers, headed up to Herradura and Los Sueños to wander the marina and rainforest views, and took an easy ride down toward Bejuco for one of the quietest, most romantic beach walks we’ve ever had. Taxis and Ubers were simple to grab, and when we took the bus, it felt safe, inexpensive, and straightforward.

The people of Costa Rica made the whole trip feel warm and personal. A woman at a small bakery in town gave us a free pastry “for dessert” after we mentioned it was our first time in the country, and a driver spent half the ride pointing out different mountains and naming beaches we should see on future visits.

Our nights in Jaco were a perfect mix: we went out dancing at a couple of clubs, tried our luck in a casino where we mostly just laughed at our own terrible strategy, and ended one evening lounging at Mynt with cocktails and hookah, watching the crowd drift in and out. We always felt safe walking home, even later in the evening, and the vibe everywhere was friendly and relaxed.

By the time we flew home, Jaco felt like “ours” in a way we didn’t expect from a first visit. We already know we’ll be back—maybe with friends one time, maybe with family, but definitely again just the two of us. It’s hard to beat a place where mountains, rainforest, and ocean all come wrapped in such warm hospitality.