I’m Tyler Jenkins, 29, and I came down to Jaco Beach with one goal in mind: squeeze as much fun as possible into a long weekend. I wanted warm water, surf, nightlife, and a couple of casino nights. Jaco delivered on every one of those. I stayed in a Beach-Side Jaco Airbnb Apartment that put me close enough to the sand to hear the waves and close enough to downtown that I could walk to almost everything.

My trip revolved around four big experiences: Surfing on Jaco Beach, an energetic night at Croc’s Casino Hotel for Gambling, another late one at Orange Pub for Dancing, and regular refueling stops at Tacobar Restaurant. Surfing in the warm Pacific first thing in the morning felt unreal compared to the cold back home. Croc’s gave me that Vegas-style casino vibe with a tropical twist, Orange Pub stayed packed with people dancing to a mix of Latin and international music, and Tacobar’s tacos became my pre- and post-adventure ritual.

Every day started on the sand. I’d grab coffee, walk the length of Jaco Beach, and watch the early surf lesson groups and locals walking their dogs with mountains and rainforest rising behind the town. After that, I picked a direction: some days I stayed in Jaco to surf and relax, and other days I caught a taxi or Uber over to Playa Hermosa to watch more advanced surfers or up to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina for a quieter change of scene. I even rode the bus down the coast toward Esterillos just to soak in more of the Central Pacific coastline. Every ride felt safe and straightforward, which made exploring easy.

The people I met along the way made it all feel even better. Surf instructors cheered every time I stood up, even if it was just for a couple of seconds. Bartenders at Tacobar and Orange Pub recommended favorite dishes and drinks and laughed along with me when I tried out my rusty Spanish. Casino staff at Croc’s were friendly and helpful, even when I asked a ton of beginner questions. It honestly felt like everyone in Jaco was rooting for me to have a great time.

At night, the town lit up in a way that never felt overwhelming, just exciting. I bounced between beach bars with live music, casinos with glowing signs, and crowded dance floors where travelers and locals mixed easily. Even when I headed back to my apartment late, I felt safe—streets were lit, busy, and full of people drifting from one spot to another. With warm nights, good music, and the ocean always close by, Jaco turned a simple weekend into something much bigger, and I’m already planning my next return.