What to Do in Jacó Beach: A Running List from The Pearl

Guests who stay at The Pearl tend to ask the same questions: where to surf, what's worth the drive, where to eat that isn't tourist-trap obvious. This is the running list we give them.

On foot from the building

Jacó has a Walk Score of 100. That's not a marketing stat — it means your guests can realistically spend an entire week here without a car. The beach is a short walk. The main strip has everything from surf shops to pharmacies to solid dining. The Pearl's own pool bar — Fast Eddie's — handles the part of the day that doesn't require leaving.

The pickleball courts are on-site. Worth mentioning for guests who travel with that expectation.

Surfing

Jacó Beach itself has consistent beach breaks that work for most levels. Total beginners can book lessons right on the main beach — several schools operate there year-round. Intermediate and advanced surfers usually head to Playa Hermosa, 15 minutes south, which hosts international surf competitions and has noticeably bigger, cleaner waves. Boards rent easily at shops near the building.

Within 30 minutes

Carara National Park is 20 minutes north and punches above its weight. It's one of the best places in Costa Rica to see scarlet macaws — they congregate there in large numbers — alongside howler monkeys, crocodiles, and an impressive range of birds. A guided morning hike is two to three hours and well worth it.

The Tarcoles River bridge on the way to Carara is where people stop to photograph American crocodiles from above — some of the largest in Central America. It's a five-minute pullover that guests always remember.

Half-day from Jacó

Tortuga Island tours leave from the marina and take about 2.5 hours round-trip by boat. Good snorkeling, calm swimming, and the kind of white-sand beach that photographs well. Popular with families.

ATV tours run through jungle trails, river crossings, and beach stretches with a guide — typically 2–3 hours. Zip-line and canopy tours are also widely available and a short drive from town.

Worth the full day

Manuel Antonio National Park is 1.5 hours south. One of the most visited parks in Costa Rica — for good reason. Beaches inside the park are some of the most beautiful in the country, and wildlife sightings (sloths, monkeys, iguanas, toucans) are almost guaranteed. Book tickets online in advance; they cap daily entry.

Nauyaca Waterfalls require a guided hike or horseback ride (about 2–3 hours in) but deliver an impressive double waterfall with natural swimming pools. Best done early.

Dining and evenings

The dining scene in Jacó has improved considerably over the last few years. Fresh seafood, Costa Rican comfort food (gallo pinto, casados), and international options all within walking distance. Nights in Jacó run late — bars and clubs stay active well past midnight, which is part of what makes it the most nightlife-ready beach town on the Pacific coast.

The Pearl opens this summer. If you're evaluating short-term rental potential, this is the activity menu your guests will be working from — and why walkability to all of it matters more than any single amenity.

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