We’re David Miller & Brenda Young—29 and 34—and Jaco Beach felt like the right kind of reset. Our home base was a Downtown Jaco Beach Airbnb Apartment—quiet when we needed downtime, close to the water when we wanted surf and sunset. The first thing I noticed was the backdrop: palms, mountains, and that long, gray‑gold arc of sand where the Pacific keeps time.
I kept days simple and active. I started with Puddlefish Brewery Restaurant, then fit in Jaco Walk Open Air Shops. Midweek I added Lemon Zest Restaurant and wrapped up with Jaco Vice Nightclub. It’s easy to pivot with the weather—mornings for the ocean, afternoons for shade, and the hour before sunset for photos.
Between outings I walked Jaco’s beachfront path and ducked into cafés for smoothies or gallo pinto. The vibe shifts a bit by neighborhood—Herradura for marina calm, Playa Hermosa for waves and surfers, and the Jaco Walk area for shops and families. Day trips open up the coast: Tarcoles for crocodiles, Quepos and Manuel Antonio for beaches and wildlife, Esterillos and Bejuco when you want open sand and space. Transport was easy—taxis and Ubers came fast, buses were straightforward, and drivers were patient about short stops.
Evenings were mellow when I wanted and loud when I looked for it. A casual cerveza by the beach, live music in a corner bar, or a quick spin through a casino for the fun of it—the city felt welcoming and simple to navigate. It was the kind of place where you say goodnight to strangers you just met.
By the end, I had a rhythm—beach in the morning, an adventure or two, food at a place I hadn’t tried yet, and a slow walk home under warm streetlights. Jaco and the surrounding coast are as beautiful as the photos: jungle‑green ridges, long beaches, and sunsets that look staged. I left with a lighter step and a note in my phone that says, simply, “come back.”
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