I’m Olivia Scott, 31, and I turned Jaco Beach into my temporary office for two weeks—and now I’m wondering why I don’t do this all the time. I needed good Wi-Fi, walkability, and plenty to do once I closed my laptop. Jaco nailed all three. I stayed in a Downtown Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment that was quiet enough for work and close enough to the ocean that I could hear the waves if I left the windows open.

Four experiences kept my workdays from feeling like “just another week at the office”: Paddle Boarded in Ocean, a calm but fascinating Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour, lunches at Green Room Restaurant, and evening meetups with new friends at different beach bars. Paddling just off Jaco Beach before logging into my first meeting of the day felt surreal in the best way. The crocodile tour near Tarcoles showed me a different, wilder side of the region, and Green Room became my go-to spot when I wanted something healthy, flavorful, and relaxed.

My routine fell into a rhythm quickly. Mornings started with a walk or quick dip in the ocean, then a stretch of focused work time back at the apartment. In the afternoons, I’d either keep working or shut the laptop and explore. Taxis and Ubers made it easy to get to Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and the Los Sueños marina, while buses took me farther toward Esterillos and Bejuco on days when I wanted longer breaks. Everything about getting around felt safe and straightforward, which was key when I occasionally worked from cafés and needed to be back online at a certain time.

The people around me made mixing work and travel feel completely natural. Café owners didn’t blink when I opened my laptop; instead, they pointed me to quieter corners or outlets. Tour guides on my days off were curious about remote work and happy to share how tourism supports communities along this part of the coast. Even my Airbnb neighbors—other travelers and a few longer-term residents—were quick to say hello and suggest their favorite sunset spot or lunch special.

Nights were where I really felt the “vacation” part of this working vacation. I tried different beach bars with live music, popped into a casino once or twice, and spent time just walking the main strip listening to the mix of Spanish and English conversations around me. Even when I had to call it an early night before a big meeting, I still got a taste of the nightlife. Walking home in the evenings always felt safe, with plenty of people out and a generally easygoing vibe everywhere.

By the end of my stay, I realized I’d done something I thought was impossible: actually gotten work done while feeling like I was on a real break. Jaco’s combination of strong infrastructure, friendly people, beach energy, nearby adventures, and easy access to spots like Herradura, Tarcoles, and Quepos makes it a perfect base for remote workers. I’m already plotting how to make this a regular part of my year.