I’m Ryan Howard, 39, and I used to default to Vegas every time I wanted a fun, easy vacation. After one week in Jaco Beach, I’m officially switching teams. Jaco gives me nightlife, casinos, and energy—but adds warm ocean water, green mountains, and a much more relaxed vibe. I stayed in a Modern Airbnb Vacation Apartment in Jaco Beach a short walk from the sand and the busiest part of town.

Four experiences sold me on this place: Surfing on Jaco Beach, a full-on adventure day at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, a killer steak at Hartley Ranch Prime Steakhouse, and a polished night at Mynt Lounge in Jaco. Surfing in the morning and ziplining in the afternoon made me feel like I was starring in my own travel commercial. Hartley Ranch and Mynt combined great food, drinks, and atmosphere in a way that felt special but not stuffy.

Days were split between activity and recovery. I’d surf or walk the beach early, then grab a taxi to Playa Hermosa or hop over to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina. Another day I rode the bus down the coast toward Esterillos and Parrita to see more of Puntarenas Province. Transportation—taxis, Ubers, buses—was simple and safe across the board, even when I was out late the night before.

The locals are a big reason I’m switching from Vegas to Jaco. Tour guides shared stories about growing up in the region, bartenders remembered my drink after one visit, and even small interactions at grocery stores or souvenir shops came with smiles. A guy running a tour company even drew out a little map for me, circling his favorite day trips toward Tarcoles and Quepos.

At night, Jaco offered everything I used to go to Vegas for, but with ocean breeze instead of desert air. I hit a couple of casinos, moved between beach bars with live music, and finished one of my best nights sitting at Mynt with a hookah, a drink, and new friends from three different countries. Walking home late felt safe every time—there were always other people out, and the energy was upbeat, not aggressive.

Now that I’ve seen that I can get great food, casinos, nightlife, and adventure in a place that’s also genuinely beautiful and welcoming, it’s hard to imagine going back to flashing lights in the desert. Jaco Beach just took the top spot on my repeat-destination list.