Tamarindo Vs Jaco: Best City To Enjoy In Costa Rica

Tamarindo and Jaco are two lively surf towns with similar characteristics. Tamarindo has mostly golden tan beach sand and azure waters, while Jaco, on the other hand, has darker beach sand and water that is common for most central Pacific coast beaches. In Tamarindo, you will find a more international community with a laid-back nightlife compared to Jaco, where there are more locals at the beachfront and the nightlife is heavier.

However, both surf towns are suitable for digital nomads and solo travellers seeking calm and tranquillity to relax.

When planning to visit Costa Rica for a holiday, I could not easily choose between Tamarindo and Jaco. 

The videos and content I saw on the internet did not give me much clue, so I decided to visit both towns to see what they looked like.

After the visits, I’ve put together vital and detailed information about Tamarindo and Jaco that covers everything you need to make an informed decision about planning your travel itinerary.

Key Takeaways

• Tamarindo has better beach sand and clearer water than Jaco.
• Jaco has a heavier nightlife than Tamarindo.
• Accommodation is more expensive in Tamarindo than Jaco.
• Things and the cost of living are less expensive in Jaco than in Tamarindo.
• Tamarindo has more of an international expat community.
• Jaco has a more authentic Costa Rican community.
• Liberia International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive to Tamarindo.
• San Jose International Airport is a 1.5-hour drive to Jaco.

How To Get To Tamarindo vs Jaco

TAMARINDO

Tamarindo is located in the Santa Cruz District on the Nicoya Peninsula of the Northern Guanacaste Province. 

To get to Tamarindo, it takes an hour and a half to drive from the Liberia International Airport

JACO

Jaco is a district of the Garabito Canton located in the province of Puntarenas. It is the main beach town on the central Pacific Coast and is close to the capital city of San Jose.

A 1.5-hour drive southwest of the San Jose Airport will get you to Jaco.

In general, both towns have accessible and well-paved roads that lead to them from the respective airports

Here is a table that compares getting to Tamarindo and Jaco from major airports:

Feature	Tamarindo from SJO	Tamarindo from LIR	Jaco from SJO	Jaco from LIR
Car Rental	4.5 hours, well-paved roads. Cost: $50-$100/day	1.5 hours, well-paved roads. Cost: $30-$50/day	1.5-2 hours, well-paved roads. Cost: $50-$100/day	3.5-4 hours, well-paved roads. Cost: $50-$100/day
Shared Shuttle	5.5 hours. Cost: $55 per person	1.5-2 hours. Cost: $30-$55 per person	1.5-2 hours. Cost: $40-$60 per person	4-4.5 hours. Cost: $60-$80 per person
Private Shuttle	4.5-5 hours. Cost: $250 for up to 6 people	1.5-2 hours. Cost: $80-$110	1.5-2 hours. Cost: $100-$150	4-4.5 hours. Cost: $150-$200
Public Bus	5.5-7 hours. Cost: $10	2 hours. Cost: $3	2-2.5 hours. Cost: $5-$10	5-6 hours. Cost: $10-$15
Flight	45-60 minutes. Cost: $90-$200+	N/A	N/A	N/A
Taxi	N/A	1.5 hours. Cost: $70-$100	N/A	N/A

 

Quick Tips:

• For Quick Access:
  • To Tamarindo: Flying from SJO or taking a car rental from LIR is fastest.
  • To Jaco: Car rental or shuttle from SJO is quickest.
• Tamarindo: Ideal for those flying into LIR due to shorter travel time. Consider a shared shuttle for convenience.
• Jaco: Convenient from SJO with multiple transportation options and shorter travel times.

The Vibe

TAMARINDO

Tamarindo is a lively beach town that is never sleepy. Once you arrive, the first thing you will notice is the traffic and high rises.

So if you were thinking Tamarindo is one small underdeveloped town in Costa Rica, then you are wrong because as you move through the town, you will notice that there are a lot of banks, hotels, supermarkets, surf shops, bars, restaurants, and so on.

Also, many Americans, Europeans, Canadians, and foreigners from different countries and races around the world are largely young families, surgeons, and digital nomads in their 20s and 30s.

JACO

On the other hand, Jacob is a much bigger surf town that is way more developed than Tamarindo because of its proximity to San Jose.

As you move through Jaco, you will notice the nicely paved roads connecting all the beaches and the high rises of luxury hotels, banks, surf shops, nightclubs, restaurants, pharmacies, and so on.

Jaco is more of a Costa Rican community, and there are more locals than foreigners. Things are also cheaper than in Tamarindo.

Surfing

Surfing is the main reason most tourists visit Tamarindo and Jaco. The Beach towns have excellent water waves for surfing, whether you are a beginner or an advanced surfer.

The best part is that surf schools and lessons with knowledgeable and friendly instructors are available right at the beachfront, helping you brush up your surfing skills regardless of your surf level.

Here’s a detailed comparison of the overall vibe in Tamarindo and Jaco to help you decide which destination suits you:

Feature	Tamarindo	Jaco
Overall Atmosphere	Lively, vibrant, party-centric	Relaxed, laid-back, family-friendly
Popular Activities	Surfing, beach parties, nightlife, eco-tours	Surfing, beach lounging, nature tours, fishing
Crowd	Younger, mix of surfers and tourists	Diverse, including families and older tourists
Top Attractions	Tamarindo Beach, Playa Langosta, vibrant nightlife, surf camps	Jaco Beach, Herradura Bay, Carara National Park
Accommodation Options	Budget hostels, mid-range hotels, luxury resorts	Budget hostels, mid-range hotels, luxury resorts
Dining and Cuisine	Diverse, from local sodas to international cuisine	Local Costa Rican cuisine, seafood, international options
Best Time to Visit	December to April (dry season, lively atmosphere)	December to April (dry season, best beach weather)
Local Culture	Casual, party-centric, surfer culture	Casual, laid-back, community-focused
Nature and Wildlife	Scenic beaches, occasional wildlife sightings	Proximity to national parks, abundant wildlife
Accessibility	Easy access from Liberia Airport	Easy access from San Jose Airport

 

Quick Tips:

• For a Lively Beach Scene:
  • Choose Tamarindo: Ideal for those seeking an energetic atmosphere with beachside fun, surfing, and a vibrant nightlife.
• For Relaxation and Nature:
  • Choose Jaco: Perfect for families and nature lovers who prefer a more relaxed environment with wildlife sightings and fishing opportunities.

• Tamarindo: Best for younger travelers looking for a party-centric beach town with plenty of activities and nightlife. The town is lively and has a strong surfing culture.
• Jaco: Great for families and older tourists seeking a quieter beach experience with access to nature tours and local Costa Rican culture. The town offers a laid-back atmosphere with diverse dining options and activities.

Beaches 

TAMARINDO

Tamarindo Beach has golden tan sand that you can walk on and beautiful azure waters. 

There are quite a number of restaurants and bars at the beachfront. The only downside is that there is no shade, so you have to rent beach chairs and umbrellas from the locals. You can swim, sunbathe, or walk along the shoreline during the low tides.

One more thing you should look forward to is the sunset at the beaches, especially the one at Playa Tamarindo. It is so spectacular, the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Below are some of the beaches that you should go to depending on your surf level;

Tamarindo Beach is the main beach in Tamarindo, famous for its excellent surfing waters. This beach is mostly crowded by tourists, and you will find quite a handful of surf schools, restaurants, and bars along the beachfront. 

Langosta Beach is located north of Tamarindo. Its calm waters are perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and the sunsets here are also mind-blowing.

The beach is the perfect spot for surfers on the beginning level.

Conchal Beach: A 30-minute drive from Tamarindo gets you here. The waters are clear, and the beach sand, unlike other beaches in Tamarindo, is white. 

It is a good place to snorkel and sunbathe.

JACO

Jaco Beach, on the other hand,  is a bit longer than Tamarindo; the beach sand is dark brown, and the watercolour is darker as well. This is one of the attributes of central and south Pacific beaches.

Some parts of the beach are rocky, making it unsuitable for walking compared to Tamarindo. However, the sunsets are nice and something to look forward to.

Below are some of the beaches in Jaco and which you should go to depending on your surf level;

Jaco Beach is in the centre of the town, with fast, powerful waves and a wide beachfront suitable for advanced surfers. 

Hermosa Beach is south of Jaco and is popular for its wide beach and consistent, long water waves, which are excellent for beginner and intermediate surfers. 

Herradura Beach is a beautiful beach located south of Jaco. The water is calmer, and it is great for both swimming and beginner surfers.

Esterillos Beach is a 20-minute drive south of Jaco and is well known for its waves, which are suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers.

The waves at Esterillos Beach are more challenging than Hermosa; however, the beach is wide and provides enough space for surfers

Pro Tip

When visiting any of these beaches, bring sunscreen, a sun hat or glasses, and a swimming suit.

Wildlife

Jaco undoubtedly has more wildlife than Tamarindo because it is close to the wet and dry tropical rainforest, which teems with wildlife.

One thing you will often hear when you are on any of the Jaco Beaches is the call of wildlife from the surrounding rainforest and then you will see birds like Scarlet Macaw and Toucans flying about on the beachfront.

On the other hand, Tamarindo does not have as much wildlife as Jaco. However, if you are on the beachfront, you can hear the howlers of monkeys from the nearby rainforest.

Aside from that, the most significant wildlife you can find on the beachfront is the sea turtles, which come to lay their eggs in the sand. This is called nesting of turtles, and it’s so beautiful to watch

In general, if you are a nature lover and wildlife enthusiast looking for where to spot wildlife in either town, then visit Jaco.

Weather

One thing to consider before visiting either town is the weather. In Costa Rica, there are two major seasons: dry and rainy.

The dry season runs from December through April, while the rainy season begins in May and ends in November. Even though they are in different parts of the country, Tamarindo and Jaco experience this seasonal change.

However, Tamarindo has drier weather and experiences less rain than Jaco. Therefore, if you are visiting both towns, consider the seasonal changes and weather differences between them to know what suits you.

Cost

The cost of living and the prices of things in the local shops of Tamarindo and Jaco are similar. However, you will find both towns more or less expensive in different situations.

For instance, when comparing the prices of accommodation in Tamarindo to Jaco, you will find that the ones in Jaco are more expensive, but when it comes to transportation, food, and prices of their basic things, Tamarindo is more expensive.

However, I would encourage you not to compare prices too much and to go ahead and enjoy your visit to both towns because the slight difference is not much unless you are on a tight budget. 

Accommodation

One would think that accommodation would be more expensive in Tamarindo because it caters more to an international community than in Jaco. However, I found accommodation options to be cheaper in Tamarindo than in Jaco.

For instance, I paid $120 per night for an apartment in Tamarindo, while I paid $140 per night for the same type of apartment in Jaco. So, if you are on a tight budget, visiting Tamarindo would be a better option because you will spend less on accommodation.

Whether Tamarindo or Jaco, below are some of the best hotels in both towns:

TAMARINDO

Hotel Arco Iris is 500 meters from the Tamarindo beach and offers gourmet dishes, an outdoor swimming pool, lush tropical gardens, free wifi, and a minibar. A night costs $112

Ten North Hotel is a three-minute walk from the Tamarindo beach. It offers various accommodation types that suit different travellers, mini refrigerators in the rooms, a living room and kitchen section, free wifi, arranged boat cruises, an outdoor swimming pool, and many more. A night cost $89

JACO

Oceano Boutique Hotel: This beautiful hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, a spa centre, an outdoor pool, meeting facilities, breakfast, a fitness centre, and a restaurant.

You can go golfing, cycling, or horseback riding in its surroundings, and a room costs $86 per night.

Fuego del sol Beachfront Hotel: Is located 64km from San Jose International Airport. 

It offers an outdoor pool, a balcony with garden views, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, a bar, breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and free private parking. A room starts from $111 per night.

Nightlife

Tamarindo and Jaco are rivals when it comes to nightlife. However, Jaco has a heavier nightlife than Tamarindo.

In Tamarindo, nightlife always starts at the beach, where you watch the beautiful sunset over some chilled drinks and soft reggae music with family and friends. Then, when it becomes darker, you move into town to grab some delicious food and join the party on the street, or you go to a nightclub and head to your apartment when you are tired.

Jaco, on the other hand, is something else. The nightlife starts with watching the sunset at the beach (the most stunning sunset I have ever seen is the one at Playa Hermosa—one of Jaco’s beaches). Then, there’s already some loud music playing in one corner of the beach and gambling and heavy drinking in the other corner.

Then you move into town to grab some food and find everywhere buzzing with loud music. You will get the same vibe in Tamarindo but not as heavy as this.

You will see street parties, nightclubs, and strip clubs everywhere. You can decide to engage, but I passed because it was rather too wild compared to the laid-back night atmosphere I experienced in Tamarindo.

Fun Things To Do in Tamarindo vs Jaco

Surfing

Surfing should be at the top of your list of fun things to do when you arrive at both towns because they have consistent water waves that suit any level and skill of surfing.

Surfing in both towns felt good. However, I found the waves at Tamarindo to be more beginner-friendly than those in Jaco. So, if you are starting out, I would advise you to head over to Tamarindo first before hitting the waves at Jaco.

Surf Lessons

If there’s anything I would recommend you do in either town for fun, it’s to take some surfing lessons. This is one of the common things you would find at the beachfront of Tamarindo and Jaco.

There are a lot of Surf lessons and instructors on the beach who are willing to hold you by the hand and teach you how to surf for at least two hours daily at $20-$50.

What I love the most is that the instructors are patient, friendly, and knowledgeable. If you continue practising, in a week or less, you will be on your way to becoming a surf pro. 

Sunset Watching

If there is one thing you should look forward to when visiting the beaches of Tamarindo and Jaco, it is the incredible evening sunset. It is so beautiful to watch, and feels like you are in a magical world.

To get the best view in Tamarindo, go to Tamarindo Beach. The best sunset in Jaco happens on Hermosa Beach, which is just 15 minutes from Jaco town.

Nightlife

Have you ever heard the phrase, “When the sun goes down, that’s when the party starts?”  That is the perfect description of Tamarindo and Jaco.

Whether you are someone who enjoys partying and clubbing or not, I would recommend you give it a try.

Even if it’s just to stroll from your hotel room to the street and back, you will notice a different atmosphere as your body becomes more lively.

So, if you are looking for a soft, laid-back nightlife, Tamarindo is your best bet, and Jaco is your best bet for a more heavy nightlife.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is another fun activity when visiting Tamarindo or Jaco.

In both towns, the horses are friendly and listen to physical cues, and there are tour guides to assist you if you encounter any issues.

The best time of the day for me to go horseback riding is when the sun is about to set. The whole scenery it creates is so beautiful to watch. 

Ziplining

Ziplining is one fun activity you should not skip when visiting Tamarindo or Jaco. The adrenaline attached to this fun activity can not be explained.

This is one of the few ways of getting an entire view of the rainforest and its surroundings from an elevated level. And you are using the zip lines in Tamarindo; be ready to glide through the air for two miles nonstop.

ATV Tour

If there is any fun activity that I highly recommend to pump your adrenaline level and give you a blast, it is going on thrilling ATV tours with an experienced guide and other tourists.

ATV Tours are very popular in Tamarind and Jaco. They take you through the back roads of the town, viewpoints, waterfalls, mountains, rivers, rainforests, and so much more.

While on this tour, look for wildlife. Remember that you can spend the entire day on it. Enjoy!

Which is better?

Tamarindo and Jaco are two lively surf towns in the country. Tamarindo has a more urbanized feel because there are many international expats everywhere. 

However, Jaco gives you that authentic Costa Rican feel because more locals are here than expats.

Furthermore, the beaches contrast with Tamarindo, which has a more beautiful beachfront than Jaco.

So the ball is in your court to decide which one you’d visit first or, better still, visit both towns to have a feel for them together.

Whatever decision you make, I hope you enjoy yourself.