I’m Samantha Hughes, 24, and Jaco Beach was my first trip out of the country without family. I was nervous, excited, and trying really hard not to overthink everything. Jaco turned out to be the perfect introduction. I stayed in a Beach-Side Airbnb Apartment in Jaco that felt safe, central, and easy to return to after long days out.

Four experiences defined my week: Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, exploring street art on a relaxed Street Art and Graffiti Walking Tour, dinner at Tacobar Restaurant, and a lively night at Jaco Blu Beach Club. Surf school staff made sure I felt comfortable and safe, the graffiti tour helped me see Jaco as more than just a tourist town, and Tacobar became my unofficial second home.

Most days, I set a simple goal: walk somewhere new, try something different, and talk to at least one local. I visited Playa Hermosa to watch surfers at sunset, took an Uber to Herradura and the Los Sueños area to see the marina and hills, and rode buses down toward Esterillos and Bejuco just for the views. The transportation system—taxis, Ubers, and buses—felt safe and easy to use, even with my limited Spanish.

The people are what made the trip feel truly welcoming. A barista at a small café in Jaco Walk practiced Spanish with me and taught me new phrases every morning. A bus driver made sure I didn’t miss my stop, and a woman at a souvenir shop gave me a keychain “for good luck” on future trips. Costa Ricans really do seem to love tourists being there, and it shows.

At night, I tested my comfort zone. I started with beach bars where I could sit and listen to live music, then eventually went dancing at Jaco Blu and visited a small casino with new friends from my hostel. I always felt safe walking back to my apartment; the streets were lit, other people were out, and the atmosphere felt relaxed rather than sketchy.

By the time my flight home rolled around, I wasn’t ready to leave—but I was ready to plan the next trip. Jaco gave me confidence, new friends, and a ton of memories, all wrapped up in warm weather, beautiful beaches, and lush green mountains. It’s a place I know I’ll come back to, but it’s also the place that convinced me to see a lot more of the world.