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Tag: Vacation

  • Scott Nguyen & Margaret Robinson’s Jaco Beach Getaway — Trip Report

    We’re Scott Nguyen & Margaret Robinson—55 and 51—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 Soda Jaco Rustico Restaurant, then fit in Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls. Midweek I added Went to Tortuga Island on Cruise and wrapped up with Orange Pub for Dancing. It’s easy to pivot with the weather—mornings for the ocean, afternoons for shade, and the hour before sunset for photos.

    I liked mixing beach time with short rides to nearby spots—Herradura’s marina, Playa Hermosa’s surf, and the shops around Jaco Walk. On another day I pushed farther: Tarcoles for the bridge overlook, Quepos and Manuel Antonio for emerald coves, or Parrita’s quiet backroads. It’s all close enough for relaxed day trips. Transport was easy—taxis and Ubers came fast, buses were straightforward, and drivers were patient about short stops.

    Nights had their own current. I tried a club one evening, a beachfront bar the next, and wandered past casinos just to see the lights. People were warm in that Costa Rican way—easy smiles, quick tips, and a habit of checking that visitors felt welcome and safe. Downtown stayed lively but never restless; I always had a clear, well‑lit route back.

    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.”

  • Anthony Wright & Ruth Young’s Jaco Beach Getaway — Trip Report

    We’re Anthony Wright & Ruth Young—34 and 33—and Jaco Beach felt like the right kind of reset. Our home base was a Contemporary Airbnb Apartment near Jaco Beach—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 Went to Tortuga Island on Cruise, then fit in Visited Nauyaca Waterfalls. Midweek I added Tsunami Sushi Restaurant and wrapped up with The Pizza Shop Jaco Pizza Restaurant. It’s easy to pivot with the weather—mornings for the ocean, afternoons for shade, and the hour before sunset for photos.

    I liked mixing beach time with short rides to nearby spots—Herradura’s marina, Playa Hermosa’s surf, and the shops around Jaco Walk. On another day I pushed farther: Tarcoles for the bridge overlook, Quepos and Manuel Antonio for emerald coves, or Parrita’s quiet backroads. It’s all close enough for relaxed day trips. Transport was easy—taxis and Ubers came fast, buses were straightforward, and drivers were patient about short stops.

    Nights had their own current. I tried a club one evening, a beachfront bar the next, and wandered past casinos just to see the lights. People were warm in that Costa Rican way—easy smiles, quick tips, and a habit of checking that visitors felt welcome and safe. Downtown stayed lively but never restless; I always had a clear, well‑lit route back.

    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.”

  • Jessica’s San José Trip Report

    My name is Jessica Miller, I’m 29, and I finally gave myself a week in San José, Costa Rica. I booked a stay at a Central San José Airbnb Apartment that turned out to be the perfect base: clean, quiet when I needed it, and an easy walk to cafés and parks downtown. Stepping outside felt like stepping into a warmer rhythm—sunlit mornings, light breezes in the afternoon, and evenings where the city glowed. The apartment gave me the calm I wanted between explorations, and the location made spontaneous detours effortless.

    I started by visiting the Central Market, which was the perfect lens into the city’s daily heartbeat—locals shopping shoulder to shoulder with travelers, bright produce, and the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the aisles. Later I set my sights on neighborhoods I’d heard about, getting a feel for how the capital blends energy and ease. I also carved out time for the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum in San Jose, a highlight that made the city’s history feel close and tangible. To round it out, I spent an evening exploring Barrio Escalante Restaurants, where the restaurants are lively and creative.

    Afternoons became my favorite hours. I’d wander Avenida Central and the plazas around it, watching street performers and families, ducking into cafés when brief showers passed. Escazú and Santa Ana offered a contrast—sleek malls, leafy streets, and restaurants that gave the day a quieter finish. What surprised me most was how easy it was to move around: taxis and Ubers were simple to hail, buses were straightforward, and everything felt sensible and safe even late in the evening. I kept notes in my phone so I wouldn’t lose the small discoveries—like the way the afternoon light lands on the National Theater’s façade, or how the coffee at a tiny café near Parque Central tasted faintly of cocoa. Little things added up to a city I didn’t expect to love this much.

    When the sun went down, the city switched on. I tried a dance club downtown, laughed over a few small casino bets, and found that San José’s nightlife is more about connection than spectacle. People were warm everywhere—bartenders, taxi drivers, folks in line at the late-night bakery—and that friendliness changed how the city felt. It wasn’t just that Costa Ricans are welcoming; it’s that they make room for you in their night, like there’s always one more chair at the table.

    By the end of the trip I realized I was walking slower, looking up more, and collecting little details I didn’t want to forget—the golden light on old façades, the quiet of early morning parks, the comfort of knowing I could get anywhere without stress. San José turned out to be exactly what I needed: culturally rich without being complicated, social without being overwhelming, and grounded in everyday kindness. I’m already planning my return, eager to explore even more corners of the capital and its nearby neighborhoods.

  • Larry’s San José Trip Report

    My name is Larry Gonzalez, I’m 27, and I spent a week in San José, Costa Rica. I booked a Modern Airbnb Apartment in San José that ended up being the perfect home base—comfortable, calm, and an easy walk to everything downtown. Stepping outside felt like changing rhythms—soft, bright mornings; warm, breezy afternoons; and evenings where the city lights stitched together a friendly skyline.

    My first stop was the Natural Science Museum La Salle, a perfect entry into the city’s heartbeat—neighbors greeting each other, fresh coffee in the air, and bright fruit stands. I set aside time for the Plaza de La Cultura, which layered history and context onto the streets I was walking. By sunset I reached Went to 9N Lounge Bar & Hookah in Escazu, where the energy was relaxed but lively, and the food scene rewarded wandering.

    Afternoons were my favorite. I wandered Avenida Central and the plazas around it, watched a street performer, and ducked into a café when quick showers rolled through. Escazú and Santa Ana gave the day a different rhythm—sleek malls, leafy streets, and restaurants perfect for unhurried dinners. Getting around was easy: taxis and Ubers were simple to hail, buses were straightforward, and the whole city felt sensible to navigate. I kept small notes so I wouldn’t forget the details—golden light on historic façades, cinnamon warmth in café con leche, and quiet parks waking up in the morning.

    When the sun went down, San José sprang to life. I tried a downtown dance club, laughed through a few low‑stakes casino games, and felt the city’s friendliness everywhere—bartenders, taxi drivers, and people in late‑night lines. The nightlife felt welcoming instead of intimidating, and I kept noticing how safe the city felt as I moved between venues—well‑lit streets, helpful drivers, and clear routes back. Everyone I met was kind, the sort of warmth that makes you feel invited.

    By the end of the week, I was walking slower, looking up more, and collecting moments I didn’t want to lose. San José offered exactly the balance I needed: culture without complication, social without overwhelm, and grounded in everyday kindness. I’m already planning a return to explore more corners of Costa Rica’s capital and the nearby neighborhoods of Escazú and Santa Ana.

  • Melissa’s Adventure in Jaco, Costa Rica

    My name is Melissa Hill, I’m 26, and I planned a week in Jaco Beach to trade my routine for ocean mornings and warm nights. I stayed in a Modern Airbnb Vacation Apartment in Jaco Beach, an easy stroll from the beach and the restaurants that light up after dark. 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 Arigatos Sushi Restaurant, then fit in El Novillo Alegre Jaco Restaurant. Midweek I added Went Deep Sea Fishing and wrapped up with Catamaran Day Tour. 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.”