Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need a break until you’re already on the plane. I’m Ava, 32, and my husband Michael, 34, and I flew from Los Angeles to Costa Rica because we wanted a romantic getaway that wasn’t just “sit by a hotel pool and scroll our phones.” We wanted real scenery, real food, real people, and a little bit of adventure. Jaco Beach kept coming up when we searched for places that combined nightlife, access to tours, and beautiful nature, so we took a chance—and we’re both so glad we did.

Our home base for the week was a cozy Jaco Airbnb apartment that felt designed for couples. It wasn’t huge, but it was stylish and smartly laid out, with a comfortable bed, a small but well-equipped kitchen, and a balcony where we watched the town slowly light up each evening. The A/C was strong, which we really appreciated after walking around in the tropical heat. Our host greeted us with a handwritten note and a bowl of fresh fruit, and then sat down with us for ten minutes to point out his favorite restaurants, the best place to book a catamaran day tour, and which taxi numbers to save in case we needed rides late at night. That small, local welcome set the tone for the entire trip.

We naturally drifted into our own pace in Jaco. Mornings often started slow, with coffee on the balcony and the distant sound of the waves. One day we booked a catamaran day tour that left from nearby Herradura. Sailing along the coast with the green hills of Puntarenas rising behind the shoreline felt like something out of a travel magazine. The crew grilled lunch on board, and we stopped at a small bay to swim and snorkel. Michael kept saying he couldn’t believe this was just a few hours’ flight from Los Angeles.

Another day we decided to dedicate entirely to Manuel Antonio National Park, catching an early shuttle down past Parrita and Quepos. Inside the park, we followed our guide along shaded trails, learning how to spot sloths, tiny colorful frogs, and a whole variety of birds. Eventually the jungle opened onto one of the most beautiful beaches either of us had ever seen: white sand, gentle water, and jungle that seemed to spill right down to the shoreline. We spent a long time there without talking much, just floating in the warm water, listening to the sounds of the forest behind us.

Back in Jaco, we left room for simpler pleasures. One afternoon we wandered through Jaco Walk open-air shops, picking up small pieces of art from Tico Pod Art House & Gifts and sharing frozen yogurt from Moyo. On another, we walked the length of the beach at low tide, watching surfers in the distance while the mountains shifted colors with the changing light. The mix of beach, town, and jungle always in the corner of your eye makes Jaco feel interesting in a way that a generic resort strip never could.

Nights in Jaco added a completely different flavor to the trip, one that made it feel like a true escape rather than just a nature-focused vacation. We treated ourselves to dinner at el Hicaco Restaurant one evening, sharing fresh seafood while waves crashed just beyond the open-air terrace. On another night we hit Lemon Zest Restaurant for a slightly more urban, upscale feel, then walked down the main strip to see where the night would take us. We drifted between a few bars before ending up at Jaco Blu Beach Club, where we sipped cocktails near the pool and watched people wander between the dance floor and the sand.

At some point, curiosity pulled us into Cocal Casino for gambling. Neither of us are serious gamblers, but the energy in the place is contagious. We played a few low-stakes games, ordered drinks, and spent most of the time people-watching. Later we strolled back through town, passing other clubs like Jaco Vice and hearing music spill out into the warm night air. At no point did we feel unsafe; the streets were lively and well lit, taxis cruised by regularly, and locals greeted us with friendly nods or a cheerful “pura vida.”

Getting from place to place never felt like a chore. Taxis and Ubers were easy to grab for quick rides to Playa Hermosa, Herradura, or back to our Airbnb when our feet were tired. Buses connect Jaco with other towns along the coast, and on one afternoon we rode a local bus just for the experience, watching everyday Costa Rican life unfold outside the windows: schoolkids, roadside sodas, lush hills, and glimpses of the ocean. Everywhere we went, from Tarcoles to Esterillos and back to Jaco’s main strip, people were patient, kind, and generous with their advice.

By the end of the week, we’d had our share of adventure, relaxation, good food, and late-night dancing, but what lingered most was the feeling of being welcomed. The locals seemed genuinely pleased that we had chosen their town for our vacation, and they treated us less like anonymous tourists and more like temporary neighbors. The landscapes—mountains, rainforest, beach, and bright sunsets—were stunning, but it was the combination of that beauty with a safe, friendly, easy-to-navigate town that made Jaco feel special. For couples looking for a place where romance and adventure sit side by side, this little stretch of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is a dream.