I love that the beach area is so large that you can practice without worrying about too many people watching you. The 50 best cheap eats in Jaco District - Wanderlog We were super happy paying more for a nice condo with 2 bedrooms and bathrooms. Claimed. The first thing you need to understand about La Fortuna is how the town is set up. El Cafecito by Mono Verde This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses. Jaco, Costa Rica is one of the best beach towns in Costa Rica for relaxation, adventure and excellent food. Sign up for the mailing list. You can swim in Jaco Beach but be careful of rip tides which are common. The Jaco waterfall tour is one of my favorite things to do in Jaco. It was so much fun roadtripping around with my friends! Native Men of Costa Rica are called Ticos and women are called Ticas. and awesome menu. 10 FREE and Cheap Things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica, stunning beaches that are some of my favorites in Costa Rica, Costa Rica truly is a waterfall-lovers paradise, 15 BEST Tours in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, 10 BEST Places to go Scuba Diving in Costa Rica, 10 BEST Tours and Places to go Kayaking in Costa Rica. Soda Marea Alta- Located on the South end of Main St. Jaco, across the street from the big second floor Gymnasium. Located next to the Mega Super right downtown, with its own small parking lot. While you can walk here, it will take you 45 minutes (3.7 km), but because youll be walking beside a busy road, its not recommended. Inside Jaco: Cheap Eats - Before you visit Jaco, visit Tripadvisor for the latest info and advice, written for travellers by travellers. Watch the sunset from El Miro viewpoint It's a workout to reach the top but it's worth it! At less than a $1 each, these fried turnovers wont break the bank. Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway! Zona K Atelier by Kenia Salas 220 reviews Closed Now Dessert, Cafe $ Menu Private Dinner w/ friends Great fine dining experience in Jaco! My favorite store is Tico Pod because they have a fun mix of jewelry, paintings and other trinkets. This tiny set of hot springs caters primarily to Costa Rican nationals and their families. A very popular waterfall just 2 hours away is the Nauyaca Waterfalls. What are the best restaurants in Jaco for cheap eats? To us, it is one of the top tours available in Jaco! Can you give me some approximate prices for a simple lunch or dinner at the above places. Related Read: If you dont mind spending a little more, there are some really affordable zipline tours available in Jaco that Im sure you would love! You can read the full things to do in Jaco blog post here. Another thing sodas usually have are chileras which are pickled spicy vegetables. Price range: $15 to $20 USD for mains Come here for: A sunset ocean view and delicious food of all types Takes reservations: Yes Taken July 2022. Thats it! Not to worry, SafetyWing is here to help! Related Read: Visiting the Crocodile Bridge is also one of the best things to do from Puntarenas! These are common sense throughout the world and are mindful to remember when visiting many of the beach communities in Costa Rica. Oh and no I dont mean eat next to a pop can! Amenities we loved here include the BBQ facility by the outdoor pool, the shared lounge and kitchen! Sold in bakeries and small cafes, this slightly sweet cornbread has an agreeably moist and spongy texture. La Fortuna center itself is really tiny- probably 8 square city blocks of commerce, with the central park and church in the middle of town. Its an easy hike, but there are a few steep sections, so a decent fitness level is recommended. Where to Eat in Jaco: Mytanfeet's Favorites If you would like to talk to me about a customized itinerary or specific Costa Rica travel advice for your family, (zero sales- just advice!) Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica. So. The viewpoint is actually an abandoned hotel that was never finished, and visitors can walk or take a horse to the top to admire the spectacular views. The area has many mountainous trails so ATV is very popular to reach the higher elevation views and local restaurants. They were visiting for one week so we spent the first 3 days in Jaco, then Playas del Coco for 3 days and the 7th day they flew out of San Jose. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Well, luckily, one of the best sunset spots Ive ever been to is located right here in Jaco atVilla Caletas. When we visited, they had a happy hour between 4 pm and 6 pm, and I enjoyed some delicious cocktails. I must admit, these are my favorite falls in Costa Rica and are well worth the long drive. The patty is fresh, then seasoned and cooked to perfection, the French Fries hand-cut and fried to golden perfection (try them Costa Rican style, with ketchup and mayonnaise drizzled across the top and eaten with a toothpick!). For the best chance to see wildlife we recommend this tour as the knowledgable tour guides are experts at spotting animals and birds and are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to facts about the park itself. To enter Costa Rica, you must have a valid Passport. Location: South of Calle Morales, Jaco (right on the beach!) So, a trip to Jaco for two people for one week costs on average 736,654 ($1,369). For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code or this page's address. To start coverage you must purchase it after leaving your home country. Popular Jaco Categories Jaco Cheap Pet Friendly Hotels; Jaco Hot Tub Suite Hotels; Jaco All Inclusive Family Resorts; . Best Jac hotels Most recommended Jac hotels Hotel y Villas Tanger 8.6 Very good $141+ Parking Free Wi-Fi Pool Surf Synergy 9.6 Wonderful $203+ Parking Free Wi-Fi Pool Hotel Tramonto 8 Very good $96+ Parking Free Wi-Fi Pool Pet friendly All of them will have gallo pinto, the rice and beans traditional breakfast. Located steps from Jaco Beach. Pura Vida! You havent experienced real Costa Rica if you dont eat at a soda. The drive from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park is about 1 hour and the drive to Carara is about 20 minutes. Plus if you are traveling with kids- kids like pizza! A vacation to Jaco for one week usually costs around 368,327 for one person. You can read the full things to do in Jaco blog post here. We went all the way to Playa Mantas and then to Playa Blanca which was a wonderful experience as we got to see wildlife and snorkel. Service is no-nonsense, the food is traditional Costa Rican and super super cheap. Get Exclusive Costa Rica Travel Tips and our Free Travel Guide Straight to You! We have our all-time favorite accommodations there, and there is so much to do. And although they are not private beaches, the only way to directly access Playa Blanca (besides walking over from Playa Mantas) is through Punta Leona either as a guest or by purchasing an expensive day pass. When I used to visit La Fortuna on a college budget, we would eat pizza here because the portions are big and the prices are fairly low. We stayed for 3 nights and the total with taxes came out to be $336 USD for 3 people. Go ziplining, ATVing canyoning and horseback riding at Vista Los Sueos. Sepalo Restaurant 112 reviews Closed Now Healthy, Pizza $$ - $$$ Menu Tasty food & price Amazing delicious place..!!! Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica. 15 BEST Things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica - Destinationless Travel Manuel Antonio is best for those who want white sand beaches, light hiking and easy wildlife watching. Our favorite bar is Isaga. We personally like buffet style because they will have a bunch of different choices so you can choose whatever you want. Be sure to have a look around my website a little more, I have plenty of blogs about Costa Rica that Im sure youre going to absolutely love, such as . Which national park to visit, Manuel Antonio or Carara? You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page. You can only walk between the two at low tide. The tour begins in the mountains behind Jaco and includes a delicious lunch. Here are some of our favorite sodas in Costa Rica. NOTE : A "Soda" is what they call a small Restaurant. The Beer House 311 reviews Closed today Imso happyyou found the site- WELCOME! Jaco: Cheap Eats - Tripadvisor Then there are many smaller markets like Rapid 24 hours supermarket and Pali. 23 Best Things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica Immigration Help Costa Rica is an articulately bi-lingual boutique firm with 15 + years of successful experience and exclusive focus on Costa Rica Temporary and Permanent Residency, Renewals, Digital Nomad, and Citizenship. Nuevo Arenal is about 30-45 minutes away from La Fortuna however, and so you want to avoid restaurants in this area unless you are looking to make a longer drive away from the volcano area. Mytanfeet LLC Copyright 2013 - 2023 - Thank you for supporting our Travel Blog! and youll find my observations on life here. Here are some of my favorite places to eat outside of the city center. Within easy reach of Jaco Beach. But its notoriously big surf can be a little nerve-wracking for beginners. Start by taking a tour of the gardens to learn where all of the food you will prepare comes from, then head into the rancho for a lesson on Costa Rican Spanish language and culture. (Prices in U.S. The menu is pretty reasonably priced, too, averaging $15 USD for a main! The lunch rush usually runs between 12:30 -2:00pm in the afternoons. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. La Parada is named because it's in front of the bus stop in the center of town, right on the southeast corner of the park. Thank you for the recommendation for Ristorante Nenes! What are the most popular restaurants in Jaco? A shared shuttle costs ~$52 USD per passenger with Interbus/Tropical Shuttle. Not the healthiest of snacks, but combined with a frosty mug of Imperial, the flavor cant be beat. Costa Rica Soda: Eat Like a Local in a Traditional Restaurant - MytanFeet A fantastic cheap eat in Jaco isEl Chicanowhich serves up the freshest, most authentic Mexican food in Costa Rica, in my opinion. This video tells you about some of my favorite places in La Fortuna. The drive here from Jaco is pretty easy; as I mentioned, its 25 minutes, and it follows Route 34. The top 2 dishes to try are the 'Corvina Marea Alta" and the Filet Mignon. It takes around 30 minutes to walk from end to end of town so its a big town. The beaches are very hot all year around. Please let me know if you need anything else, and thank you for commenting! Instead, we advise you to get a taxi, or if you have a rental car, you can drive the 5-minute journey yourself and park along the side of the road. Jaco Travel Cost - Average Price of a Vacation to Jaco: Food & Meal There are lots of free and cheap things to do in Jaco that make this surf town well worth visiting you just need to know where to look! Homemade sauce, dough baked fresh to order, and cheese from a local farm- not mass-produced. We usually purchase it as soon as we land at the airport. Soda Jaco Rustico- Delicious local Tico style food served cafeteria style. The main bus station is across from the Best Western at the north end of the beach. Reddit, Inc. 2023. One of the best activities in Jaco is just a 25-minute drive north of the town. I almost always order the, 16 Basic Spanish Phrases Every Traveler To Costa Rica Should Know, The breakfasts here are amazing because you can get the, From homemade tomato bisque to epic pizza selections prepared in the wood-fired oven, this Costa Rican-Italian restaurant, while a tiny bit pricey, sure beats trying to find a babysitter for a date night. Also, if you are traveling in Costa Rica on a budget, sodas are cheaper than touristic restaurants so its a great way to save money on food. You could charter a boat that leaves from Los Suenos Marina which is just 1 town over, less than 15 min ride. Also had ribs which were delicious. We do not recommend to drive there as there is no parking, its best to walk all the way. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright 1997-2023 Burlingame Interactive, Inc. Get a quote from our partner, PassportCard, Healthcare & Health Insurance in Playa Jaco, Healthcare & Health Insurance in Costa Rica, Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica 2023, Members Talk about the Cost of Living in Costa Rica, Visit our Playa Jaco Index for a Full List. Choose from savory or sweet fillings: lightly spiced potatoes, beans, cheese and meat are delicious, while luscious pineapple empanadas make for a tasty dessert. They also offer dorm beds which are some of the cheapest in Jaco and area! Miro Mountain is one of the most popular hiking activities as the trail wanders through jungles with a great opportunity for wildlife spotting. The day we drove back to Jaco from Coco, we decided to visit some of my favorite unknown beaches which are all free. Sold on Costa Rican streets from dawn until dusk, fresh mangos, avocadoes, pineapples and other seasonal treats can be had for around $1 or less a pound. You may find that you are spending a ton of time driving between the Arenal Volcano, the hot springs, and La Fortuna City Center. Foreigners should be aware of petty crime and crimes of opportunity. Its worth noting that the best surfing in Jaco is from mid to high tide, and of course, the weekends are much busier, so if you can, try to catch waves during the week. White rice, and all the favorite dishes, great service, and low prices, this is a great restaurant to visit if you are looking for a different style of cuisine in La Fortuna. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Soda Tapia is a classic. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase. Taken July 2022. Costa Linda is a smaller condo complex on the north end. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. Its not so much for families I would say, but a mid to high range price point perfect for couples and small groups. They have a beautiful property with ocean views and a delicious restaurant. Whats great too is that the waterfalls in Jaco are free to visit! We also spent one day at Manuel Antonio National Park. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We decided to rent a car for our trip. With local dishes steeped in tradition, fabulous produce, and access to fresh seafood everywhere you go, the food in Costa Rica is downright delicious. Contribute They offer vastly different experiences. This mid-priced restaurant offers views of the volcano, a full bar, grilled meats and a solid menu of traditional Costa Rican food. Both are very reasonable options, in my opinion! Its dark pebbled beach is fringed with palm trees, with warm rolling waves that attract surfers from all over Costa Rica. The innovative PassportCard allows for a stress-free healthcare experience. From homemade tomato bisque to epic pizza selections prepared in the wood-fired oven, this Costa Rican-Italian restaurant, while a tiny bit pricey, sure beats trying to find a babysitter for a date night. 12 Tips for Living in Jaco Beach/Playa Jaco, Costa Rica During the pandemic, theyve even gone as far as to pay for our last-minute flights back to Canada before the border closed! Any cover you get above that is extra. As for lodging, we did not want to stay at a hostel. Mytanfeet LLC Copyright 2013 - 2023 - Thank you for supporting our Travel Blog. Hotels near Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls, American Restaurants for Large Groups in Jaco, Italian Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Jaco, Seafood Restaurants for Special Occasions in Jaco, Restaurants for Special Occasions in Jaco, Restaurants near DoceLunas Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Restaurants near Oceano Boutique Hotel & Gallery, Restaurants near Tico Pod Art House & Gifts, Restaurants near Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls. Orange Pub is a popular club and Surf Dogs usually has live music with great drink promos. Its outside Jaco on the south end and takes about 30 minutes to get to the top. Jaco beach is the closest beach town to the capital city of San Jose, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists. You can order Costa Ricas national dish any time of day. El Manglar Restaurante & Bar 101 reviews Closed Now Seafood, Costa Rican $ Menu Phenomenal experience Best place in town! Have a sweet tooth? The 60-room property offers boutique-style modern condos with high-end finishes. Then, on the 6.5 kilometers of road from La Fortuna on the way to the volcano and the laguna, there are tons of tourist attractions. 16 Best Hotels in Jac. Hotels from $19/night - KAYAK PassportCard allows for a stress-free experience for all expat families, remote travelers, and workers. Ill start with a few of my favorite restaurants right in the city center. Even if youre driving on what seems to be a road into the middle of nowhere, youll find a soda! The community has a local farmers market (feria) which is always a good deal to purchase locally from regional farmers. day activities And some tips while traveling. Because of the lush mountains outside Jaco, there are many waterfalls. The Beer House is also another fun place for craft beer and nightlife. How to Plan a Romantic Honeymoon in Costa Rica, 10 Tips to KNOW Before Visiting the Costa Rica Crocodile Bridge, 15 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Marino Ballena National Park. Its about a 15-minute walk through the rainforest before you see any waterfalls, but soon you will be seeing one every couple of minutes! Many of us are foodies on the Wanderlog team, so naturally we're always on the hunt to eat at the most popular spots anytime we travel somewhere new. Get up to 10% off on your policy now.