A week lets you stop rushing. Repeat what you loved, add Manuel Antonio, and keep an afternoon for the weather.
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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.
Spend a full day on Tortuga Island, with snorkeling, lunch and time in the shade of the palms. The private-boat listing leaves from Herradura and offers pickup from your stay.
TORTUGA ISLAND · PRIVATE BOAT
Tortuga Island Private Boat Tour from Jaco with Snorkel, Meals
Duration
8.5 hours
Pickup
Pickup from your place of stay at 7:15 am, or meet at the Herradura beach bus stop at 7:30 am (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Families and groups who want a boat to themselves; the listing offers infant seats.
A private day on Tortuga Island with snorkeling and meals, leaving from Herradura.
Older kids who can manage moderate hiking will love the ten-waterfall walk with swimming holes, where the listing shows a child band from age 5. If that’s too much for your crew, the cacao and chocolate walk near Herradura is an easy two hours instead; its listing starts its age band at 6.
WATERFALL HIKE
Hike 10 waterfalls in Jaco lunch included
Duration
3 hours
Meeting point
Finca los Solis parking lot, about 5 minutes from Jacó Beach (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Active families and friends; the listing asks for at least moderate fitness and shows a child band from age 5.
A jungle walk past a string of waterfalls and swimming holes a few minutes from the beach, with lunch included.
Take a guided full day at Manuel Antonio with pickup from your Jacó base. The listing asks that children be accompanied by an adult. Sightings depend on the day, but a guide improves your odds.
MANUEL ANTONIO DAY TRIP
Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Tour from Jacó
Duration
7 hours
Pickup
Pickup at any hotel, house, Airbnb or other place in the area (per listing)
Ages
Children must be accompanied by an adult; minimum 2 people per booking (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
First-time visitors who want the park without driving; children must be with an adult and bookings need at least 2 people.
Costa Rica’s best-known coastal park as a guided day with pickup from your Jacó base.
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.
Spend the day on Tortuga Island on a private boat. The listing picks up from your stay at 7:15 am or meets you at the Herradura beach bus stop at 7:30 am, and it includes snorkeling and meals. Plan on about eight and a half hours.
TORTUGA ISLAND · PRIVATE BOAT
Tortuga Island Private Boat Tour from Jaco with Snorkel, Meals
Duration
8.5 hours
Pickup
Pickup from your place of stay at 7:15 am, or meet at the Herradura beach bus stop at 7:30 am (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
Families and groups who want a boat to themselves; the listing offers infant seats.
A private day on Tortuga Island with snorkeling and meals, leaving from Herradura.
Leave this day unbooked. Walk Jacó’s beach in the morning, take a long lunch in town (TropicalJaco has the local picture), and watch a late-afternoon surf session at Playa Hermosa, just south of town. If you would rather be on the water, the private full-day fishing charter is under Sportfishing on the Tours page.
DAY 7
Carara at dawn, then home
Take an early guided walk in Carara, which meets you at the park entrance on Route 34, then catch your departure transfer. Leave plenty of time between the walk and your flight.
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.
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.
Take the guided Manuel Antonio day with pickup from your stay in the Jacó area. The listing runs about seven hours and needs at least 2 people per booking, so solo travelers should check with the operator first. The park closes one day a week, so check SINAC before you book.
MANUEL ANTONIO DAY TRIP
Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Tour from Jacó
Duration
7 hours
Pickup
Pickup at any hotel, house, Airbnb or other place in the area (per listing)
Ages
Children must be accompanied by an adult; minimum 2 people per booking (per listing)
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Who it suits
First-time visitors who want the park without driving; children must be with an adult and bookings need at least 2 people.
Costa Rica’s best-known coastal park as a guided day with pickup from your Jacó base.
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.
Not necessarily. Everything on this page runs from the Jacó area. If you want a change of scene, Herradura and Playa Hermosa are a few minutes away. See Jacó Essentials.
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