We’re Paul Kelly (34) and Ashley Foster (32), and instead of dealing with post-holiday shopping chaos, we spent Boxing Day in Jaco Beach watching waves crash under a bright sun. We stayed in a Central Jaco Airbnb Vacation Rental that was the perfect base—close to everything, yet quiet enough at night for real sleep.

Our four main highlights were Surfing on Jaco Beach, a fun and slightly wild Canyoning Tour with Waterfalls, a tasty visit to Tsunami Sushi Restaurant, and a smooth, late-night hangout at Mynt Lounge Jaco. The canyoning guides were encouraging and safe, the surf lessons were playful and upbeat, and everywhere we went, people seemed genuinely happy we were there.

We split our days between beach time and exploring the region around Jaco. One morning we hopped to Playa Hermosa to watch more advanced surfers; another day we headed up to Herradura and the Los Sueños area for marina views and rainforest-covered hills. We even rode a bus toward Esterillos and Bejuco to see wider, quieter beaches and more of the Costa Rican countryside. Taxis and Ubers were easy to call, and every bus ride felt safe and straightforward.

The locals gave the trip extra heart. A server at a small café in town mapped out his favorite viewpoints around Tarcoles and Carara National Park. A woman selling jewelry near Jaco Walk thanked us for visiting Costa Rica and told us how much tourism means to families like hers. The warmth felt sincere and made us feel welcome everywhere.

Nights in Jaco came with options: we danced at clubs, watched live bands, dropped into casinos for a bit of gambling, and spent one especially memorable evening at Mynt, where the lighting, music, and hookah made it feel like our own little celebration. Walking back to our apartment late at night felt completely safe, with other couples and groups strolling the same streets.

Boxing Day and the days around it usually disappear into a blur for us back home. In Jaco, they turned into some of our favorite shared memories—sunsets, surfboards, rainforest adventures, and friendly faces everywhere we turned. We’re already wondering which holiday we can trade in for more Costa Rica time next year.