Jaco Beach is one of the top tourist destinations in Costa Rica, and not just because of the gorgeous beach, the rocking nightlife, the fabulous dining, or the perfect weather.
It’s also because there are a ton of excursions you can enjoy that are relatively close given Jaco’s central location and proximity to San Jose and the Central Valley. Whether you are looking for a full day or a half-day excursion, getting off the beach for a day trip is something we definitely recommend!
Popular Jaco Excursions
Sportfishing
You can read our full article on sportfishing here, but both full and half-day fishing charters are available right from Jaco. This is one of the most attractive tour offerings in the area.
Zip Line
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, just zip hundreds of feet above the rainforest floor during a zip line!
ATV
Is there anything better than racing through the mud with an ATV? A variety of experiences are available from just an hour, tours with kids, and both half and full-day experiences. You can often find a package tour with ATVs and zip lines.
Crocodile Tour
You can see the crocs from the Tarcoles River up close and personally on this float down the river. Includes birdwatching as well.
Monkey Tour
Float through the river and feed monkeys bananas as they rush the boat.
Horseback Riding
Right from the beach, you will often see families renting horses, which is one of the best ways to interact with locals, support the local economy, and go horseback riding. We recommend heading up to the Mirador Jaco where you can see the entire beach, as well as neighboring beaches. It’s a sight to behold.
Manuel Antonio National Park
If you want to visit the national park, you are just about an hour and a half north, so a day trip is perfect. Make sure to get a reservation to visit the park before heading down.
Bijagual Waterfall
The closest waterfall to Jaco, and a fun hike, this waterfall is about a 45-minute hike in and an hour out. Bring sturdy tennis shoes, a sense of adventure, and lots of snacks!
Canyoning
Rappel down the side of waterfalls and hike through rivers during these exciting tours.
Chocolate Farm
Located in the mountains just east of Jaco is La Iguana chocolate farm, where you can learn about chocolate making from farm to bar. A great local company!
Tortuga Island
Take a private boat to Turtle Island where there is fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a gorgeous white sand private beach surrounded by crystalline blue waters. A truly relaxing experience.
Coffee Tour
Curious how coffee is made in Costa Rica? Sign up for the Doka Coffee Estate tour- it’s a couple of hours driving to and from Jaco, so plan for a full day.
White Water Rafting
Check out an excursion from Jaco center if you are interested in white water rafting. Everything from class 1 river floats to class 5 rafting adventures are available just 90 minutes from Jaco.
Visit Carara National Park
The entrance to Carara National Park is just minutes from Jaco. Hire a private guide for an informative walk through the natural Costa Rican rainforest.
Here at Casa Overlook, we recommend booking through the following tour operators:
