Local Experiences
Things to Do in Jacó
Located along Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, Jacó is a vibrant beach destination known for its surf-friendly shoreline, tropical rainforests, abundant wildlife, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic escape, surf trip, or group getaway, you’ll find a wide variety of things to do in Jacó, Costa Rica, and throughout the surrounding region.
Croc’s Resort & Casino is an ideal base for exploring the best of Jacó and Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast. Enjoy direct access to Jacó Beach, then spend your days discovering rainforest trails, taking boat excursions, spotting native wildlife, or exploring nearby beaches and coastal towns. After a day of adventure, return to the resort to enjoy ocean views, dining, the casino, and comfortable accommodations.
Explore the Best Attractions and Activities Near Jacó
From outdoor adventures to island excursions and wildlife experiences, Jacó offers activities for travelers with a wide range of interests.
- Surfing and beach activities: Experience Jacó’s popular surf scene, book a surfing lesson, or enjoy a relaxing day by the Pacific Ocean. Nearby Playa Hermosa is another favorite destination for experienced surfers.
- ATV tours and rainforest adventures: Explore the tropical landscape on an ATV tour, discover scenic mountain trails, or experience the rainforest from above on a zipline excursion.
- Fishing charters and ocean adventures: Take advantage of the Central Pacific’s reputation for sport fishing with a guided fishing charter. Boat trips and coastal excursions also offer opportunities to enjoy the region’s marine environment.
- Waterfall hikes and nature trails: Discover tropical vegetation, scenic viewpoints, and hidden waterfalls on guided hikes around Jacó and the surrounding mountains.
- Wildlife watching: Visit nearby protected natural areas on exciting day trips from Jacó to look for monkeys, scarlet macaws, tropical birds, and other wildlife native to Costa Rica.
- Boat tours and island excursions: Spend a day exploring the Pacific coastline, snorkeling, or relaxing on an island excursion.
Discover Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast
Jacó’s location makes it a convenient starting point for exploring some of the region’s most popular attractions. Venture beyond the beach to discover islands, national parks, marinas, and neighboring coastal destinations.
Isla Tortuga Tour
Located northeast of Jaco in the Gulf of Nicoya, Isla Tortuga gives visitors the opportunity to reconnect with nature. The Isla Tortuga Tour starts off with an exciting trip across the gulf in a catamaran. Once there, you can spend the day snorkeling, banana boating riding, or walking on the island trails. Otherwise, you can simply grab a cocktail and enjoy the island’s powder white sand and turquoise waters.
Carara National Park
A must for anyone interested in tropical biology thanks to its incredible biodiversity. Carara National Park is located where the dry forests of the north and the humid ones of the south meet, creating an ecotone that supports a mind-boggling array of species. Trails lead visitors through the two different zones, allowing you to get a close up view of the flora and fauna of the region. It is one of the best spots in the country for bird watching and if you’re lucky, you may be able to spot the Scarlet Macaw.
Surfing
Known for having the best surf in Costa Rica, Jaco Beach is a prime surfing spot. Nearby Playa Hermosa has been designated a World Surf Reserve. Located just a short drive from Croc’s, the versatile waves and long beaches offer surfing opportunities for everyone from beginners to advanced surfers
Hiking AT MIRO MOUNTAIN
Offering sweeping vistas and serene mountain trails, El Miro offers miles of hiking trails for beginner and intermediate hikers. Visitors can meander their way through lush rainforests and over rugged terrain as they make their way up. From the top of the mountain, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean, Jaco Beach, and the Costa Rican coastline.
ATV tours
If you’re looking for a few hours of thrilling adventure, this one’s for you! ATV tours take you through thick rainforests, over rushing rivers, and into traditional villages to explore Costa Rica’s wild side. Lasting anywhere from two hours to four hours, these tours are great for anyone who wants to get a taste of Costa Rica’s nature but is short on time.
Ziplining
Ziplining is without a doubt one of the most unique ways to explore the surrounding rainforest. Giving visitors a bird’s eye view of the rainforest canopy, the elevated platforms and cables give thrillseekers to see what lies high above us. This is also a great way to see some of Costa Rica’s wildlife while enjoying sweeping views of Jaco Beach and the Nicoya Peninsula.
FISHING
The Central Pacific coast offers some of Costa Rica’s most exciting sport fishing opportunities. Whether you want to spend a few hours fishing close to shore or head offshore in search of big-game species, Jacó is an ideal home base for an unforgettable day on the water. Nearby Los Sueños Marina and Herradura Bay provide convenient access to fishing charters targeting sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, roosterfish, snapper, and other Pacific species. Choose an inshore adventure for a shorter trip along the coast or a full-day offshore excursion for the chance to experience Costa Rica’s world-famous deep-sea fishing.
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Explore one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated natural destinations with a day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park. Known for its lush rainforest, scenic hiking trails, beautiful white-sand beaches, and abundant wildlife, the park offers opportunities to spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds in their natural habitat. Croc’s is located halfway between San Jose International Airport and Manuel Antonio National Park, making it the ideal base to explore this gorgeous park.
Plan Your Jacó Adventures with Croc’s
With so many tours, beaches, and natural attractions to explore, planning your itinerary is part of the fun. Whether you want to spend the day on the water, explore Costa Rica’s rainforest, discover local wildlife, or experience the area’s surf culture, Jacó offers a convenient starting point for your Central Pacific adventure.
At Croc’s Resort & Casino, our concierge team can help arrange many popular local tours and excursions, making it easier to plan your activities during your stay. Enjoy the convenience of an oceanfront resort while keeping Jacó’s beaches, dining, entertainment, and outdoor experiences within easy reach.
Ready to explore Jacó? Contact our concierge to book your tour!
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