Puntarenas province is a small town next to San Jose known as Jacó town. It is a popular place for tourists due to its scenic surroundings and plenty of playas. Jacó town is famous for its beaches, vibrant nightlife, and surfing. Fortunately, the town has several beautiful beaches around it.
One of my favorite vacations to Costa Rica was exploring Jacó town. Apart from having the nearest beaches to San Jose, it has a vibrant nightlife. I loved the fact that it was not far away from the capital city but also not as busy as the city. Ten beaches in Jacó are a must-visit.
Key Takeaways
Jacó town is a crossbreed of different beaches, lush jungles, and mountains. It is the nearest beachside destination near San Jose International Airport. Here are my key takeaways on the 10 best beaches in Jacó.
- Please note that since most of the beaches are near San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, locals and other visitors flock during the weekends. Hence, I recommend that you visit during the weekdays to avoid the crowds.
- Only head over to Playa Blanca when the tide is low. You can use the tide charts to check when the tide is low. Go back to Playa Mantas before the tide goes high as you might not make it back. The rocks along the path leading back to Playa Manta might become too slippery.
- The only beach that was a bit challenging to access was Playa Blanca. I had to access it through Playa Mantas using a steep path, and I had to be back before the tides rose.
Where is Jacó, Costa Rica?
Jacó town is in Puntarenas province in the Central Pacific Coast. It is 1.5 hours drive from San Jose International Airport. Most people know Jacó town for its party atmosphere and vibrant nightlife. However, certain areas are more family-friendly with a lot of kid’s activities.
I recommend renting a car if your budget allows so that you can explore the various beaches in Jacó town. But most of the beaches are close to each other, and you can decide to take a taxi to visit. Buses are also available from San Jose to Jacó town or other towns such as Hermosa.
10 Top Rated Beaches in Jacó
The weather in Jacó town is predominantly tropical, with the dry season falling between December and April. Temperatures range between 24°C-32°C (75°F-90°F) throughout the year. However, avoid visiting in September to early November, as rainfall is heavy and you might not be able to do a lot of activities.
Playa Jacó
The beach is in Jacó town, 1.5 hours from San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. It is the closest beach to the capital. Because of this, the beach has a lot of people, especially the locals visiting on the weekends or national holidays. I preferred visiting on the weekdays to get away from the weekend crowds.
Playa Jacó is 4km (2.5 miles) long. It is one of the best beaches for surfing due to its large waves. But what I loved the most was the fun vibe. Though the beach has several bars, it is still family-friendly. You can head over to the southern end of the beach, which is usually very quiet. The unique rock formations on this side of the beach make good photos.
Playa Jacó has some great sunset views, and you can enjoy horseback riding along the beach. The sun sets around 5.15 to 6 PM all year round. My favorite pastime was to sit at the beach and sip my beer as I watched the sunset.
The beach is at the back of the main street of Jacó town. You can walk from the shops to the beach and come back to town in one of the town’s restaurants.
Playa Bejuco
It’s a beautiful dark sand beach that is a bit more secluded than Playa Jacó. Playa Bejuco is in the small coastal town of Bejuco, 30 minutes from Jacó town. The beach has palm trees, dark blue waters, and long shores. Playa Bejuco has the Blue Flag award for being among the cleanest beaches in Costa Rica.
Unfortunately, Playa Bejuco has strong currents and riptides and is not suitable for swimming. However, you can sunbathe, take long walks, or surf if you are experienced. The sunsets at the beach are beautiful, but snorkeling is not suitable.
Playa Bejuco has plenty of camping areas and campsites and two decent hotels. Plenty of vacation rentals are also available as there are a couple of gated communities around the beach. There are not many restaurants in Bejuco.
Playa Palo Seco
It is a virgin beach 9 km long. Playa Palo Seco is perfectly hidden from the highway by tropical vegetation. It is a great beach for surfing and sometimes for swimming when the tides are low. The sand at the edges of the beach is slightly darker but lighter at the center.
Mountains surround the beach, offering myriad activities around. Rio Pirris, a great place for water rafting, is on the western side of the beach. On the northern side of the beach is the Palo Seco estuary with mangroves and a great place to see wildlife. Common marine life at the mangrove includes.
- Grouper fish
- Sea bass
- Red porgy
- Sea turtles (incubating ground)
Playa Agujas
The beach is a 20-minute drive from Jacó town. It has a lush mountain backdrop and rocky shores. Rio Agujas empties into the ocean on the south end of the beach and is the ideal place for surfing. Playa Agujas is so small that within 15 minutes I had walked from one end to the other.
It has dark sand and blue waters, and the ground has numerous rock formations. Playa Agujas also has the Blue Flag status. Its name is from a certain type of fish that is common in its waters.
Snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing are the major activities at the beach. I would not recommend letting your kids swim in its waters, as most times the tides are high. There are a lot of logs, rocks, and palm trees lying on the ground, making it unsuitable for bathing or sunbathing.
Locals flock to the beach on weekends and national holidays. However, there are no restaurants or food vendors around, and you might have to spend only half a day at the beach or carry snacks.
Playa Hermosa
Just south of Jacó town is this long, dark sand beach. It is one of the most popular surfing beaches in Costa Rica. Please note there are two different Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, one near Jacó town and the other in Guanacaste Province. When looking up on Google, you’ll need to specify Hermosa Puntarenas or near Jacó town.
Fortunately, Playa Hermosa is part of Costa Rica’s conservation area and lacks the mushrooming developments coming up in most parts of the country.
Playa Hermosa is more suitable for experienced surfers. Plenty of surf shops are along the beach and offer lessons and rent surfboards also. At the northern end of the beach are some restaurants and hotels.
You’ll see some scattered palm and almond trees along Playa Hermosa’s coastline. Though the beach is popular, it is cleaner and quieter than Playa Jacó. Its consistent waves and rip currents make the waters at Playa Hermosa unsuitable for swimming.
Playa Mantas
It is a 20-minute drive north of Jacó town. The waters at the beach are calm for the better part of the year, making it suitable for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Playa Mantas is the best beach for families with young kids. The beach has white sand, turquoise water, and a background of palm trees and jungles.
There is a quiet spot on the northern end of the beach. A steep hillside provides the needed shade under the hot sun. On the northern boundary of the beach are several rock formations. There are several sea creatures, such as crabs, that you can explore. There is a lot of wildlife in Playa Mantas, including.
| Wildlife at Playa Mantas | |
| White-faced monkeys | Pelicans |
| Scarlet Macaw parrots | Raccoons |
| Iguanas, | Sloths |
| Jesus Christ Lizards | Different bird species |
A shipwreck on Playa Mantas where you can take photos is another interesting feature. Avoid the mid-section of the beach, as it’s where the public parking space ends and there are a lot of people milling around. The public parking space is small, and you should arrive by 9:00 AM on weekends to get space.
Locals will flock to the beach during the weekends. Expect to see groups having a party with long tables having different foods and drinks and barbeques. Some might even decide to camp in tents.
Playa Blanca (Punta Leona)
The beach is next to Playa Manta, but you have to visit during the low tide. However, it’s unmarked, and not many people know about it. You will have to climb over the rocks from Playa Mantas to Playa Blanca, as it is a private beach. The other access to the beach is by being a guest at Hotel Punta Leona.
Playa Blanca has fluffy white sand with splendid rock formations at both ends of the beach. Unfortunately, the beach gets a lot of wind, making its waters a bit choppy and not ideal for swimming.
There are no food vendors or washrooms for use by non-resort guests.
Playa Esterillos Oeste
There is a small town 25 minutes south of Jacó known as Esterillos Oeste. It is home to Playa Esterillos Oeste, another famous surfing beach in Costa Rica. Surrounding Playa Esterillos Oeste, are huge patches of rice fields, thick tropical forests, and grazing fields. While there are plenty of locals in the small town, some expats also live on the hills.
During mid tide, the beach has several pools ideal for swimming. At low tide, there are shallow pools where you can see a lot of marine life. Bring your kids to these tidepools to see fish and crabs. Playa Esterillos Oeste also has some tidepools at the northern end of the beach whose calm waters are a bit suitable for swimming.
However, most of the other places are not ideal for swimming due to large waves and riptides. There are several other tourist attractions around the beach, including. Jutting out of the tidepools is a bronze statue of a mermaid. You can only go near the statue when the tide is low. However, you can still see the statue from the shore at any tide.
There are no restaurants on the beach itself; however, the town is not far. Esterillos Oeste town has several great restaurants, including.
- Los Almendros: Famous for its home-made sauces, and fresh local foods. Its chefs are experts in Asian-Caribbean fusion dishes. But my favorite was the freshly caught seafood such as Mahi Mahi, or the Jamaican Jerk.
- Restaurante El Patio: If looking for a place to get some local Costa Rican dishes, Restaurant El Pation is the best. It’s 100 meters from the beach.
Playa Esterillos Este
Its smooth brown sand stretches for miles with various trees such as almond, coconut, and palm. The beach is secluded and is not ideal for swimming due to its large waves. Experienced surfers flock to the beach.
Horseback riding along the beach was one of my best activities, especially in the evening. Early mornings as you watch the sunrise over the Nicoya Peninsula are also another great way to start the day.
Playa Esterillos Este has various beachfront rental properties with great views of the Gulf of Nicoya. The beach has other accommodation options either near the beach or further along the dense interiors.
Playa Herradura
It is north of Jacó town, next to Los Suenos Marriott-horse-shoe-shaped beach 1.6km (1 mile) long. Playa Herradura is a bit rocky, but as a sheltered cove, its waters are calm. Los Suenos, the largest marina in Jacó, is on this beach; hence, don’t be surprised to see a lot of boats moored towards the northern end.
Playa Herradura is popular with the locals, so expect it to be crowded over the weekend. The most popular activities that you can do at Playa Herradura, include stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and kayaking.
At the north end of the beach is a large marina where you can book one of the deep fishing charters that moor at this beach. Unfortunately, the beach is a bit rocky and you will have to wear either open-toed shoes or water shoes.
Best Tips for Visiting the Beaches in Jacó
No matter which of the beaches you visit, you will have a great time. Whether traveling alone or with family, you will find several activities to keep everyone busy. Here are a few tips when visiting the various beaches in Jacó.
- Please don’t leave your things unattended. Petty theft is still common on the beaches.
- Read the signs on the beach; if there is one saying don’t swim, then avoid swimming. Some spots have strong waves and rip currents, and it would be wise to ask the locals or the hotel staff.
- Don’t forget to carry and apply SPF sunscreen, as the sun in Jacó can be quite strong. Wear UV-protective clothes.
- Carrying snacks or requesting your hotel for a picnic hamper is ideal, especially when visiting beaches that don’t have restaurants or food vendors. Playa Blanca and Playa Mantas have no restaurants.
Aside exploring the beaches in Jaco, if you’d like to consider having budget-friendly fun, you should check out our list of 14 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Jacó.
Conclusion
I had a great time visiting all the beaches in Jacó. Fortunately, they are not far from Jacó town, and I got a very nice place to stay. It was my base as I visited all the beaches.
Which was your favorite beach(s) to visit in Jacó town? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
