Jacó

Where to stay

Budget beds cluster tightly along the main strip (Avenida 1) and the parallel streets just inland from the black-sand beach. Staying on the strip puts you steps from surf rentals, bars, and the night market, but it is loud and crowded. Moving one or two blocks inland toward the bus station or the hillside neighborhoods drops the noise significantly and often lowers the rate, while keeping you a short walk from the coast.

Getting around

• The town is small enough to walk, but red taxis with meters are everywhere and cheap for short hops or late-night returns. Always ask the driver to use the meter ('Maria') to avoid inflated tourist fares, especially after dark.
• Jacó is the main transit hub for the Central Pacific. Buses to San José leave frequently from the terminal at the north end of town, and local shuttles connect you to Herradura and Manuel Antonio, so you do not need a rental car to explore the coast.
• The beach is beautiful but the waves are strong and the currents can be dangerous. Swim only in designated areas with lifeguards, and be wary of rip currents even if the water looks calm from the shore.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest and least crowded during the rainy season from May through November, when afternoon showers keep day-trippers away. Prices spike and beds fill fast from December through April, the dry season, when the weather is perfect and domestic tourists from San José flood the town for weekends.