I’m Stephanie Lewis, 34, and I booked Jaco because I couldn’t stand one more gray, icy morning back home. I ended up in a breezy Stylish Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment with a small balcony and a big view of palm trees. I could hear the waves if I turned off the A/C and just listened.

Four standout experiences gave my trip shape: I Took a Surfing Lesson at the Jaco Surf School, hiked up to the viewpoints on the Miro Mountain Hike, tried a massive plate at Tico Burguesas Restaurant, and spent a sunset session at Jaco Blu Beach Club. The surf instructors were encouraging, the hike was steep but worth every step, and the food everywhere was generous and delicious.

On other days I wandered Jaco Walk, took a quick ride to Playa Hermosa to watch serious surfers, and headed up to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina for a different kind of ocean view. Taxis and Ubers were easy to call, and when I wanted to feel more local, I hopped on buses toward Tarcoles and Esterillos with no issues. Everything felt safe, manageable, and surprisingly relaxed.

Locals were the secret ingredient. A woman running a small souvenir shop practiced Spanish with me, laughing and correcting gently, and a taxi driver pointed out his favorite soda in Parrita on the way to a day trip. People were warm, patient, and genuinely happy to share their home with visitors.

Nights were my favorite part: beach bars with live music, casinos humming with energy, and streets filled with travelers and Ticos all enjoying the same warm air. I went out dancing, tried my luck at a blackjack table, and still felt totally comfortable walking back to my apartment at the end of the night.

Jaco turned what could’ve been just a “winter escape” into a place I actually feel connected to. The ocean, the mountains, the friendly faces, and the easy transportation all added up to a trip I’d repeat in a heartbeat. Costa Rica stole a chunk of my cold-weather loyalty, and I’m okay with that.