Puntarenas Province district, Costa Rica

Places to visit near Jacó

Jacó is a town in Puntarenas Province district, Costa Rica, home to about 4,085 people. Within 50 km by road there are 86 places to visit — 39 beaches & coast, 24 hill stations & viewpoints, 8 wildlife, forests & gardens and 5 waterfalls. The must-see places are Playa Tárcoles (20 km), Playa Tambor (55 km) and Isla San Lucas (59 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Jacó on the map

Jacó, Costa Rica
Jacó, Puntarenas Province district, Costa Rica. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Jacó at a glance

Location
Puntarenas Province district, Costa Rica
Population
about 4,085
Coordinates
9.6150° N, 84.6298° W
Places within 50 km
86 (1 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to March for beaches & coast; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints

Top places to visit near Jacó

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Jacó: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Jacó, by type

Beaches & coast near Jacó

82 beaches & coast within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Playa Jacó (1 km); the best-known is Playa Tárcoles (20 km). Best time: october to march.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Jacó

71 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Arbol de Hermosa (8 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Jacó

23 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Humedal Marino Playa Blanca (13 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Waterfalls near Jacó

19 waterfalls within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Encantada Waterfall (2 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Jacó

15 forts & heritage within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Condominio Sonesta (2 km). Best time: october to february.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Jacó

15 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Jacó. The closest is Isla Herradura (6 km). Best time: september to february.

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A one-day trip from Jacó

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 43 km on the road.

  1. Start in Jacó
  2. 1 km Playa Jacó · beach, Puntarenas Province
  3. 2 km Encantada Waterfall · waterfall, Puntarenas Province
  4. 1 km Playa Escondida · beach, Puntarenas Province
  5. 19 km Playa Tárcoles · beach, Puntarenas Province
  6. 18 km Condominio Sonesta · heritage site, Puntarenas Province
  7. 2 km Back to Jacó

Plan a longer trip from Jacó — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Jacó

No traveller has reported from around Jacó yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Jacó

    All places near Jacó by distance

    Within 15 km of Jacó

    • Alto Sitios · viewpoint · San Jose Province · ~15 km

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Jacó by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Beaches & coast3982Playa Jacó (1 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2471Arbol de Hermosa (8 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens823Humedal Marino Playa Blanca (13 km)
    Waterfalls519Encantada Waterfall (2 km)
    Forts & heritage115Condominio Sonesta (2 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves615Isla Herradura (6 km)
    Museums010Ecomuseo Minas del Aguacate (54 km)
    Other attractions26CCM Cinemas Jacó (1 km)
    Churches06Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Puntarenas (58 km)
    Caves13Cuevas Icaco (41 km)
    Parks03Parque Marino del Pacífico (57 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs02Represa San Miguel (62 km)

    Jacó: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Jacó?

    Playa Tárcoles (beach, about 20 km), CCM Cinemas Jacó (attraction, about 1 km), Playa Jacó (beach, about 1 km), Encantada Waterfall (waterfall, about 2 km), Playa Escondida (beach, about 2 km), Condominio Sonesta (heritage site, about 2 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Jacó?

    86 places on Spotwander: 39 beaches & coast, 24 hill stations & viewpoints, 8 wildlife, forests & gardens, 5 waterfalls, 1 fort.

    Which is the nearest beach to Jacó?

    Playa Jacó, about 1 km by road; Playa Escondida (2 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Jacó?

    Arbol de Hermosa, about 8 km by road; Cerro Rincón Vellaco (9 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Jacó?

    Humedal Marino Playa Blanca, about 13 km by road; Refugio de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala (14 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Jacó?

    Start in Jacó, visit Playa Jacó, then Encantada Waterfall, then Playa Escondida, then Playa Tárcoles, then Condominio Sonesta, and drive back — about 43 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Jacó?

    October to March for beaches & coast; October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints.

    Towns near Jacó

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Jacó’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Jacó on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.