Three days is enough for a surf lesson, a wildlife morning up the coast, and one big adventure. Choose the version that fits your group. Every day links to live partner listings.
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Families Family note: the age limits shown are the ones stated on each listing, such as a child age band starting at 3 for the town surf lesson, a minimum age of 4 for the Herradura zipline, 8 for the tram-and-zipline, and ATV drivers 16+. Where a listing gives no age rule, check with the operator before you book.
Couples Couple note: private formats are marked on the listing, like the private surf lesson and the private Tortuga boat. Keep one evening completely free.
Friends Friends note: the adventure variant stacks the adrenaline days. Split the group on day 1 if some would rather surf than ride.
Solo Solo note: some listings need a minimum of 2 people. The Manuel Antonio hiking tour does, per its listing. Shared lessons like the town surf school are the easiest to join.
Duration, pickup, and cancellation as stated on the partner listing. Confirm current times and terms before you pay.
ARRIVAL
Arrival day
Most guests land at SJO. The road to Jacó runs over Routes 27 and 34 and takes roughly an hour and a half, depending on traffic. A private transfer lets you set the pickup time and place. Keep the evening simple: walk the beach, eat early and sleep.
SJO airport transfer
SJO to Jaco Private Transportation or Vice Versa
Route
SJO ↔ Jacó
Duration
1 hour 25 minutes
Pickup
Private transfer; you set the pickup time and specific location in the Jacó, Hermosa and Herradura areas (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Arriving at San José (SJO); both directions per title
Start with a beginner lesson in the gentle morning water. The town surf school’s listing shows a child age band starting at 3. After lunch and a rest, drive ten minutes north to the cacao walk near Herradura, an easy and shaded two hours that also works if afternoon showers roll in.
SURF LESSON · GROUP
Surf Lessons
Duration
2 hours
Pickup
Free pickup within 1 km of Jacó per listing (fee beyond that), or meet at Jaco Surf School on Calle Bohío
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Groups and younger kids; the listing shows a child age band starting at 3.
A shared lesson in the middle of town that fits neatly before an afternoon tour.
Head north early for the guided Carara walk. The listing includes the park ticket, takes up to 10 people per booking and meets you at the park entrance, so plan a taxi or your own car. Its child age band starts at 2. Look for scarlet macaws in the forest, then keep the afternoon easy at the beach.
CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included)
Duration
2–3 hours
Meeting point
At the entrance of Carara National Park (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Nature lovers and families; the park ticket is included per the title, with a maximum of 10 per booking.
A guided walk in Carara, a scarlet macaw stronghold, with the park ticket included per the listing title.
The Herradura zipline takes kids from age 4 per listing, and a tractor ride carries you up to the first cable. Spend the afternoon on the beach. If your crew would rather be on the water, swap in a private boat day to Tortuga Island, where the listing offers infant seats.
ZIPLINE · HERRADURA HILLS
Ocean views Zip Line Canopy Tour in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos
Duration
2 hours
Meeting point
Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park (Herradura); listing offers transport for an additional cost depending on your hotel or condo
Ages
Minimum age is 4 years; maximum weight 250 lb (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Families with kids 4 and up and first-time zipliners.
Cables over the hills above Herradura Bay, reached by a tractor ride up the slope.
Ride the aerial tram up through the rainforest and zip back down. In the evening, join the traditional-food walk in town. For restaurants on your other nights, TropicalJaco has the local picture.
AERIAL TRAM + ZIPLINE
Rainforest Aerial Tram & Zipline Tour in Jacó, Costa Rica
Duration
2.5 hours
Meeting point
Rainforest Adventures park entrance near Jacó; transport can be arranged by contacting the operator (per listing)
Ages
Minimum age is 8 years (depending on height and weight); minimum height 115 cm; closed-toe shoes mandatory (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Mixed groups: some ride the tram for the view, others want the zipline too. Ages 8+ per listing.
Ride the gondola-style tram up through the canopy, then zip back down with ocean views.
Take a group surf lesson in the morning and spend the afternoon on an ATV in the hills behind town, with a waterfall stop. Drivers must be 16+ with a license per listing. JacoATV compares every other ride.
SURF LESSON · GROUP
Surf Lessons
Duration
2 hours
Pickup
Free pickup within 1 km of Jacó per listing (fee beyond that), or meet at Jaco Surf School on Calle Bohío
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Groups and younger kids; the listing shows a child age band starting at 3.
A shared lesson in the middle of town that fits neatly before an afternoon tour.
Rappel down waterfalls with a guide in the morning. In the afternoon, if you still have energy, ride the cables above Herradura; the zipline listing meets you at the park and offers transport for an extra cost.
CANYONING · WATERFALL RAPPEL
Canyoning in Jaco
Duration
4.5 hours
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Thrill-seekers who want to rappel waterfalls; no prior harness experience needed per listing.
Harness up and descend the waterfalls themselves with English-speaking guides.
Drive up Route 34 early for the guided Carara walk. The listing meets you at the park entrance and includes the park ticket, so arrange a car or taxi. Look for scarlet macaws, then head back to Jacó for an afternoon on the beach.
CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Guided visit to Carara National Park (Ticket included)
Duration
2–3 hours
Meeting point
At the entrance of Carara National Park (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Nature lovers and families; the park ticket is included per the title, with a maximum of 10 per booking.
A guided walk in Carara, a scarlet macaw stronghold, with the park ticket included per the listing title.
Private departure transfers pick up from hotels and rentals in Los Sueños, Herradura, Jacó and Playa Hermosa. The listed drive is about two hours, so leave a generous buffer for your flight.
Departure to SJO
Private Transfer Los Sueños, Jaco & Playa Hermosa to SJO Airport
Route
Jacó / Herradura / Hermosa → SJO
Duration
2 hours
Pickup
Pickup from hotels, vacation rentals, Airbnbs and residences in Los Sueños, Herradura, Jacó, Playa Hermosa and selected route locations; must be accessible by a standard passenger van (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Yes for the highlights. Take one surf morning, one Carara morning, and one zipline, canopy or Manuel Antonio day. Stay five days if you also want Tortuga Island or a fishing day.
Yes. The couples plan puts it on day 2. It is a full day: the drive is about an hour each way without traffic, according to operator listings, plus the guided walk.
On the Pacific side, rain usually comes in the afternoon during green season. Keep outdoor tours in the morning and swap in the chocolate tour or the food walk in the afternoon.
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