SURF COSTA RICAWAVES. NATURE. PURA VIDA.
Central Pacific

Jaco

Less travel. More time in the water.

GUIDE FOCUSBeginnerARRIVAL AIRPORTSJOTHE VIBEAn easy surf escape

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)

Day 1 · Arrive + first session

Afternoon: Transfer from San Jose

Evening: Sunset surf check + dinner

Day 2 · Lesson + adventure

Morning: Surf lesson/coaching

Afternoon: Adventure tour block

Evening: Dinner

Day 3 · Surf + flex

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

Day 1 · Arrive

Afternoon: Transfer in

Evening: Dinner

Day 2 · Lesson

Morning: Lesson

Afternoon: Rest

Evening: Sunset

Day 3 · Adventure day

Morning: Light surf

Afternoon: Adventure tour block

Evening: Recovery

Day 4 · Surf repetition

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Rest

Evening: Dinner

Day 5 · Second activity day

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Nature/park/zipline block

Evening: Dinner

Day 6 · Final surf push

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Pack

Evening: Final dinner

Day 7 · Depart

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

Day 1 · Arrive

Afternoon: Transfer in

Evening: Dinner

Day 2 · Lesson

Morning: Lesson

Afternoon: Rest

Evening: Sunset

Day 3 · Adventure day

Morning: Light surf

Afternoon: Adventure tour block

Evening: Recovery

Day 4 · Surf

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Rest

Evening: Dinner

Day 5 · Second activity day

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Nature/zipline block

Evening: Dinner

Day 6 · Flex surf day

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Free time

Evening: Pack prep

Day 7 · Optional relocate

Morning: Move toward Dominical (optional)

Afternoon: Settle

Evening: Dinner

Day 8 · Surf + nature

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Nature block

Evening: Recovery

Day 9 · Final surf

Morning: Surf

Afternoon: Pack

Evening: Final dinner

Day 10 · Depart

Morning: Transfer out

Afternoon: Depart