Jaco
Less travel. More time in the water.
Why make this your base?
Jaco is the most convenient surf base for visitors coming from San Jose.
It's ideal for short trips because you can surf early and stack adventure tours midday.
Use Jaco as a 'surf + activities' hub rather than a pure surf retreat.
Getting here
Fastest access is from San Jose (SJO) by shuttle or rental car.
Jaco is one of the easiest beach towns to reach in Costa Rica; arrival-day surf is realistic.
If you're planning multiple activities, book transport early to keep schedules smooth.
Make the most of the surf
Best for: beginners and convenient sessions.
Trip style: lesson early, tour midday, relax evenings.
A beginner-friendly town can still have dangerous surf. Choose the day’s beach with a qualified local instructor. Avoid river mouths and never assume a sandy bottom makes a wave safe.
Between sessions
Stack activities on weaker surf days so you protect your best water time.
If you want more nature and a quieter vibe, add a Dominical split.
A plan with room to breathe
Use these suggested itineraries as a starting point. Travel days, weather and surf conditions may change your schedule.
Short Trip itinerary +
2-4 nights · Jaco (central for convenience)
Afternoon: Transfer from San Jose
Evening: Sunset surf check + dinner
Morning: Surf lesson/coaching
Afternoon: Adventure tour block
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Optional second activity or relax
Evening: Pack prep
7-Day itinerary +
5-7 nights · Jaco as base; add day trips as needed
Afternoon: Transfer in
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Lesson
Afternoon: Rest
Evening: Sunset
Morning: Light surf
Afternoon: Adventure tour block
Evening: Recovery
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Rest
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Nature/park/zipline block
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Pack
Evening: Final dinner
Morning: Optional short surf
Afternoon: Transfer out
10-Day itinerary +
8-10 nights · Jaco as anchor, Optional 2-3 night split: Dominical for a South Pacific feel
Afternoon: Transfer in
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Lesson
Afternoon: Rest
Evening: Sunset
Morning: Light surf
Afternoon: Adventure tour block
Evening: Recovery
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Rest
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Nature/zipline block
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Free time
Evening: Pack prep
Morning: Move toward Dominical (optional)
Afternoon: Settle
Evening: Dinner
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Nature block
Evening: Recovery
Morning: Surf
Afternoon: Pack
Evening: Final dinner
Morning: Transfer out
Afternoon: Depart