I’m Laura Evans, 27, and Jaco Beach was my first real solo beach trip. I’d read that it was friendly, walkable, and easy to get around without a car, and all of that turned out to be true. I stayed in a bright Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment with a balcony that caught the afternoon breeze and just enough space to feel like my own little base camp.

Four experiences really shaped my week: Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, a sweaty but beautiful Miro Mountain Hike, dinner and craft beer at Puddlefish Brewery Restaurant, and a hilarious, high-energy night out at Orange Pub for Dancing. Surf school took me from total beginner to at least standing on the board, and the hike gave me those sweeping views of Jaco framed by rainforest and the Pacific that you see in photos.

Daytimes were a mix of beach and exploring. I walked Jaco’s shoreline in the mornings, then grabbed a taxi to Playa Hermosa to watch surfers who actually know what they’re doing. Another day I took an Uber up to Herradura, wandered around the Los Sueños marina, and even hopped a bus farther down the coast past Esterillos to get a feel for the quieter side of Puntarenas. Taxis, Ubers, and buses were all easy, safe, and surprisingly affordable.

The people helped me feel comfortable traveling alone. A woman working at a café in Jaco Walk checked in on me every morning, asked what I had planned that day, and gave recommendations for things like Tarcoles crocodile tours and day trips toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio. A grocery store clerk helped me pick out Costa Rican coffee to bring home “so you don’t forget us,” as she put it.

At night, I eased into Jaco’s nightlife. I started with low-key bars and beach clubs, then worked my way up to dancing at Orange Pub, where I ended up hanging out with a mix of locals and other travelers. I dipped into a couple of casinos too—nothing wild, just enough to enjoy the energy. Walking back to my apartment late at night felt safe; the streets were lit, there were always other people out, and the overall vibe was welcoming, not intimidating.

By the time I headed home, I’d proved to myself that I could travel solo, make friends, and feel genuinely safe and at ease in a new place. Jaco, with its beach life, nightlife, and easy access to places like Herradura, Hermosa, and Manuel Antonio, ended up being the perfect training ground for bigger adventures. And yes, I’m already planning round two.