Latin American Playground: Take A Costa Rica Vacation At Jaco
Beaches, Surf, Day Time & Night Time Fun In Costa Rica
Some of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica are close to the small yet bustling town of Jaco. Two hours away from San Jose, and easily reached by car or comfortable, cheap, ubiquitous buses, Jaco is located on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast in the northern part of Puntarenas province.
This is a party town and, along with Tamarindo to its north, a favorite destination for many Costa Rica vacations.
Jaco has long been popular because of its fun, casual and relaxed atmosphere, and many friendly people. More and more tourists from around the world have already learned of this fantastic place and travel to Jaco for its nearby tranquil, beautiful clean beaches and many things to do. And, it is easy to reach by car or comfortable, cheap, ubiquitous buses.
Only about half a dozen years ago, Jaco was still pretty laid back and quaint. Not so much anymore. With tourists came more bars, restaurants, and shopping centers. They were followed by developers: more hotels, more resorts, and now towering high rises. But, the beaches remain---and they are still spectacular.
And, of course, secrets are hard to keep and as word got out, more tourists started flocking to Jaco, looking for great relaxation, peace, and fun. Within the last half dozen years, Jaco has boomed.
Where, not long ago, there was a single, quiet (except at night) little road through town, now there are towering high rises and nearby resorts. You'll also find lots and lots of restaurants and bars.
Fortunately, Jaco isn't just a great location for people who have lots of money. Indeed, it caters to any budget. There are hotels and accommodations ranging from luxurious to basic. You'll also find lots of Jaco hostels, clean, cheap, and very popular with the college crowd.
Jaco Beach sits directly in front of Jaco and is very, very popular but, in my opinion, nearby beaches just a couple of miles or kilometers away, are much better. There are fewer people and the waters are some of the purest on earth. The best beaches are awarded Blue Flag ecological certifications for cleanliness.
If you're a surfer or wannabe, it is strongly recommended that you check out spectacular Hermosa Beach, a couple of miles south of Jaco. Though it is not good for safe swimming due to its currents, it is pristine and pure with some of the best surfing on the planet. How good is Costa Rica surfing here? Think world class. Experienced surfers will find waves to 13 feet at Playa Hermosa, site of the International Quicksilver Surf Championships every July or August.
Costa Rica may be one of the smallest countries on the planet but it is world-famous for its many places to go and things to do. When you vacation at Jaco, youll be close to innumerable activities.
Head over to one of the fabulous volcanoes. Try windsurfing at Lake Arenal , considered by many to be one of the top three windsurfing places on earth}.
Visit fabulous Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on earth. Take your life in your hands and bungee jump into a deep gorge just outside Jaco. Zipline through tropical forests, whitewater raft, go sea kayaking. Or just lay back and enjoy the beach and romantic sunsets.
Consider chartering a boat for a trip to Costa Rica's world-famous fishing grounds. Huge marlin that can swim 70 miles an hour and leap 10 feet from the water await. Sometimes the schools of tuna or sailfish are thick. Whales travel from Antarctica to breed in the warm waters---as do their cousins from the Arctic.
Think you came a long way? Imagine swimming thousands of miles! And, fortunately for us, Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale viewing season in the world. Whale watching is now a popular Costa Rica tourist attraction and tours are readily available much of the year.
Though it is easy to reach by air, Costa Rica remains to be discovered.
Columbus was the first to find it and, indeed, gave it its name "Rich Coast."
It remains a spectacular haven with one of every 20 species of plant and animal on the planet residing together in a tiny little country.
So, don't limit yourself to the beaches of Jaco. There's lots more waiting on your Costa Rica vacation.
About the Author
The author is the owner of the popular Costa Rica Vacations website. And, be sure to discover Costa Rica surfing at Jaco
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