I’m Mary Roberts, 58. I came to Jaco after a long year, hoping it would give me a little energy back—and it did more than that. I stayed in a Beach-Side Airbnb Apartment in Jaco, close enough to hear the waves if I left the window open and far enough from the main drag to sleep well.

My four favorite experiences were Birdwatching on beach, a gentle Waterfall Tour in Bijagual, a comforting meal at Soda Jaco Rustico Restaurant, and a slow stroll with dessert at Moyo Frozen Yogurt in Jaco Walk. Guides were patient, waiters were kind, and everyone seemed genuinely happy to help me enjoy their town.

During the day, I walked as much as I could—along the shoreline, through Jaco Walk, and up and down the main street—then took short rides to Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and even down toward Esterillos for quieter stretches of sand. Taxis, Ubers, and buses all felt safe and simple to use, even for someone who doesn’t love navigating new transport systems.

One small highlight: a woman selling empanadas near the bus stop insisted I try her favorite flavor first, “just a bite,” before I decided which one to buy. We ended up chatting for ten minutes about her family, and that interaction meant as much to me as the big sightseeing moments.

In the evenings, I kept things easy—an early dinner, a walk to listen to live music drifting out of bars, and a short peek into a casino just to watch the lights, not to chase winnings. I never once felt unsafe walking back, even when I stayed out a little later to enjoy the warm night air.

Jaco didn’t just give me a vacation; it gave me a little spark back. Between the ocean, the green hills, the friendly faces, and the simple logistics of getting around, I felt taken care of in a way I didn’t know I needed. I’ll be recommending this place to anyone who needs a reset as badly as I did.