I’m Victoria Ward, 34, and I spent a week bouncing between Jaco, Herradura, and Hermosa on a solo adventure that turned out to be exactly what I needed. I wanted beaches, mountains, rainforest, and enough nightlife to keep things interesting—but I also wanted to feel safe the entire time. Jaco delivered all of that. I stayed in a Downtown Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment that was perfect for one person and close to everything.

Four experiences stand out: Surfing on Jaco Beach, a beautiful Waterfall Tour in Bijagual, a relaxing day at Serenity Spa in Herradura, and dinner at Green Room Restaurant. Surf lessons helped me face the waves with confidence, the waterfall tour took me deep into green hills with pools and cascades, Serenity Spa reset every tight muscle in my body, and Green Room became my favorite place to sit alone with good food and a book.

My days were a mix of exploration and downtime. Mornings usually started with a walk on Jaco Beach, where I watched the town wake up and the mountains glow in the early light. After that, I used taxis and Ubers to hop over to Herradura and the Los Sueños marina, or headed down the coast toward Playa Hermosa for a change of vibe and scenery. A couple of times I rode buses farther toward Esterillos and Bejuco, just to see more of the Central Pacific stretch. I felt safe using every mode of transportation, and people were quick to offer help if I had questions.

Being solo never meant feeling alone. Surf instructors, tour guides, spa staff, and even people at cafés and shops were friendly and easy to talk to. Guides on the waterfall tour and at the spa asked about my trip, shared stories about living in the region, and recommended other places to explore, like Quepos and Manuel Antonio, if I had more time. I met other travelers at restaurants and on tours, and it was easy to trade tips and make short-lived but fun connections.

At night, I picked my version of fun based on my energy level. Some evenings I just found a beach bar with live music and watched the waves in the dark while listening to the band. Other nights I dressed up a bit, visited a casino, and checked out dance clubs along the main strip. Even when I walked home late, I felt safe: the streets were busy, well-lit, and full of people enjoying the warm night air.

By the time I left, I’d fallen in love with the whole corridor between Jaco, Herradura, and Hermosa. The combination of beautiful beaches, green hills, rainforests, friendly locals, easy transportation, and a built-in community of travelers made it one of the easiest and most rewarding solo trips I’ve ever taken. I’d recommend it to anyone considering traveling alone for the first time.