Jacó travel guide

Best time to visit

Temperatures and climate for the beach lover reach ideal from December to April with offshore breezes keeping temperatures in the mid 20s. The surf is best in the rainy season from May to November but is good all year round according to locals.

Getting there and around

The town is a few hundred metres west of the costanera, some 117 km from San José. A good road links it to the capital making driving there simple. Buses (five daily) take just over two hours from the Coca-Cola Terminal. There are also services to Quepos, Puntarenas and Orotina. From north to south the bay of Playa Jacó is just over 3 km in length. Taxis, bikes and cars are all available for hire.

Boat

Zuma Tours, based on the Nicoya Peninsula, T8849-8569, http://www.zumatours.net. Provide a taxi boat service between Jacó and Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula, US$40.

Bus

The bus terminal is at the north end of town by the Playa Jacó Plaza Mall, close to Pizza Hut. From San José there are 5 direct daily buses a day at 0730, 1030, 1300, 1500 and 1700, from the Coca-Cola terminal, 2¼ hrs, US$3. Buses return at 0500, 0730, 1100, 1500 and 1700. 4 buses a day for Quepos to the south (0500, 1100, 1430 and 1630) and also for Puntarenas to the north (0500, 1100, 1430 and 1630, 2hrs, US$1.70). For information about services call T2643-3135.

Jacó is also on the Interbus itinerary, with a minibuses going north to San José and south to Quepos and on to the rest of the country.

Car hire

Economy, next to the Jacó Best Western hotel, T2643-1719, http://www.economyrentacar.com. Elegante, T2643-3224, http://www.eleganterentacar.com. Budget, T2643-2665, http://www.budget.co.cr.

Banks

Banco Nacional in centre of town.

Internet

Several options in town but Mexican Joe’s on main road at a couple of places, US$0.75/hr, continues to provide a reliable service, with international telephone service.

Language schools

Instituto Pácifico de Idiomas, T2643-2244, http://www.spanish-ipai.com, offers Spanish classes 4 hours a day for 1 week at US$470, including homestay, meals and airport pick-up. Surfing classes included for free.

Medical services

Red Cross in the centre of town, T2643-3090.

Post office

The post office is at the southern end of town near the municipalidad offices.

Useful addresses

Chuck’s Surf Repairs , T2643-3328 or 643-1308, www.surf outfitters.com will sort out any serious damage to your board.