I didn’t realize how tired I was until I stopped. I’m Linda, 48, from Portland, and my trip to Jaco Beach came after a year of juggling work, aging parents, and adult kids boomeranging in and out of the house. I wasn’t looking for a wild party trip; I wanted somewhere I could feel safe, see beautiful things, and remember what it felt like to move at my own pace. Jaco ended up being exactly that place.

I booked a spacious Jaco Airbnb apartment that felt like a real home rather than a hotel room. There was a full kitchen, a comfortable living area, a quiet bedroom, and a little balcony where I drank my morning coffee and watched the town come to life. The building was secure, with a locked gate and friendly neighbors who greeted me with “buenos días” every day. My host checked in frequently via WhatsApp, answering questions about buses, recommending her favorite restaurants, and suggesting a few activities that weren’t too intense but still let me see the best of the region.

My days in Jaco developed their own gentle rhythm. Most mornings started with a walk along the beach. The Pacific was warm even early, and the sound of waves rolling in against the dark sand felt like a reset button for my nervous system. I’d watch surfers catch early sets, families setting up for the day, and macaws flying overhead in pairs. Behind it all, the mountains wrapped around the town like green arms. Coming from rainy, gray Portland, the contrast was almost shocking in the best way.

I eased into activities instead of overloading my schedule. One day, I booked a Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour on the Tarcoles River. The boat glided along the water while our guide pointed out massive crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks and a whole variety of birds—herons, egrets, and even scarlet macaws perched in the mangroves. Learning about the river and the communities around Tarcoles, and how important eco-tourism is to them, gave me a deeper appreciation for the region than I would have gotten just sitting on the beach.

Another day, I visited Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls. That place felt almost otherworldly. Carefully kept paths meandered through a riot of tropical flowers, and butterflies flitted around like little pieces of confetti. From some viewpoints, I could see waterfalls tumbling through the forest and, far beyond, a strip of the Pacific near Jaco and Herradura. I took my time, stopping often to just stand and listen—to the birds, to the wind, to the distant rumble of water. It was one of the most peaceful days I’ve had in years.

I treated myself to some self-care too. On one morning, I took a taxi to Serenity Spa in Herradura. The drive there gave me glimpses of the coastline and the Los Sueños Marina area. The massage itself was exactly what I needed—deep, thorough, and unhurried. Afterward, I sat outside with a cup of tea, watching the palms move in the breeze and feeling my shoulders sit lower than they had in months.

Back in Jaco, I kept evenings flexible. Some nights I cooked in my Airbnb and watched the sky change colors from my balcony. Other nights, I went out to eat at places like Manglar Bar and Restaurant, Green Room Restaurant, or Soda Jaco Rustico Restaurant for a more local, home-style meal. I did sample the nightlife a bit—walking through Jaco Walk, listening to live music, and even dropping into Cocal Casino for gambling one evening. I played for a short time, more for the experience than any hope of winning, and then spent the rest of the evening on the outdoor terrace listening to the waves and the hum of conversation around me.

What made all of this feel truly restorative was how safe and welcome I felt. As a woman traveling alone in her late forties, I pay attention to vibes and logistics. In Jaco, taxis and Ubers were easy to find, drivers were polite and often chatty, and bus routes were simple to navigate for short trips along the coast toward Hermosa, Bejuco, Esterillos, or down toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Locals were consistently kind—patient with my basic Spanish, generous with directions, and genuinely pleased that I was enjoying their town.

Jaco and the surrounding areas are stunningly beautiful. The beach, the mountains, the lush rainforest—it all fits together in a way that makes it easy to remember there’s more to life than your inbox. But what stayed with me just as much as the scenery was the sense of warmth and ease. Costa Ricans really do seem to embrace “pura vida” as a way of life, and spending a week in that atmosphere rubbed off on me. I flew back to Portland with a tan, sore calf muscles from all the walking, and a heart that felt a little lighter. If you’re looking for a place to recharge, to feel safe and seen and surrounded by nature, Jaco Beach is a beautiful place to start.