pura vida passENES

Things to do in Jacó & Herradura

90 places and 77 secret spots in Jacó & Herradura, with start times, how long each takes, prices as published and practical tips.

Tours & Adventure

  • Adventure Tours Costa RicaTours & AdventureJacó operator running full-day ATV rides into the hills, an ATV + canopy + waterfall combo, canyoning and waterfall rappelling.
  • ATV Backcountry ToursTours & AdventureATV tours from Jacó through rainforest, to waterfalls and tide pools, with mountain lookouts over the coast.
  • AXR JacóTours & Adventure · takes 1 h–6 h · from $60Jacó's long-running off-road outfitter, taking riders on ATVs, buggies and dirt bikes up rainforest trails and riverbeds behind town to mountain viewpoints and waterfall pools.
  • Costa Rica Waterfall ToursTours & Adventure · from $65Locally run Jacó operator for waterfall hikes, canyoning, ATV, zipline, crocodile and mangrove-monkey tours.
  • CR Beach Barn (Horseback Riding on the Beach)Tours & AdventureBeach horseback rides at sunrise, morning or sunset along Esterillos, with well-trained horses, fresh coconut drinks and a guide who takes good photos.
  • GarabitoursTours & AdventureLocal guides leading waterfall hikes near Jacó with rope climbs, pool swims and cliff jumps, plus a night jungle walk and a hike to Bijagual, billed as Costa Rica's second-tallest waterfall.
  • Horseback Riding JacoTours & AdventureGuided horseback rides on Jacó beach, along a river and through nature paths near the mangroves, for riders of all levels.
  • Jaco Adventure Tours (Jaco Ropes Adventure Park)Tours & AdventureAdventure park on the edge of Jacó with zip lines, a ropes course and forest horse rides.
  • Ocean Ranch ParkTours & Adventure · takes 2 h–7 h · from $55A huge private river valley just outside Jacó where you can zipline, rappel beside a waterfall, ride horses or ATVs through the rainforest and finish with lunch, all in one day.
  • Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica (Jacó park)Tours & Adventure · takes 2 h–3.5 h · from $69Glide up through the rainforest canopy in open-air gondolas just outside Jacó, then fly back down on a zipline with views out to the Pacific.
  • The Riding AdventureTours & AdventureBeach horseback rides since 2005 on an almost empty beach at Esterillos Este, guided by a local cowboy and his mustangs.
  • Vista Los Sueños Adventure ParkTours & Adventure · takes 2 h–8 h · from $25A private rainforest park in the hills above Herradura, a few minutes from Jacó and Los Sueños, where you can zipline with views of Herradura Bay, ride ATVs or horses to waterfalls and taste chocolate from its own cacao farm.
  • Zion Paragliding (Tandem flights in Jacó)Tours & Adventure · from $30Tandem paragliding from the Neo Jaco Sky Way take-off above town, reached by a 4x4 ride.

Food & Coffee

  • Aloha Beach Front Bar and RestaurantFood & CoffeeFamily-friendly bar and grill right on the sand at the south end of Jacó, popular for tacos at sunset.
  • Bamboo CafeFood & CoffeeRestaurant built from bamboo harvested on the property, a short drive from Playa Bandera, lit with string lights at night.
  • Bar Restaurante AraVeFood & CoffeeFamily-owned bar-restaurant on Parrita's main road known for ceviche, whole fried fish, arroz con pollo and casados, with passion-fruit smoothies.
  • Bar y Restaurante La TrankaFood & CoffeeCasual country bar-restaurant on Route 131 just outside San Mateo, known among locals for rice dishes and seafood soup.
  • Bar y Restaurante Mar y SolFood & CoffeeCasual restaurant right across the road from Palo Seco beach, praised for fresh fish and seafood at fair prices.
  • Bowie's PointFood & CoffeeThatched-roof beach restaurant at Playa Hermosa for watching surfers and the sunset over a casado or a Tico breakfast.
  • Café BohíoFood & CoffeeCafé of Bohío Coffee Roasters on Pastor Díaz Avenue, roasting Costa Rican beans in Jacó.
  • Clarita's Beach BarFood & CoffeeOld-school beach bar at the quieter north end of Jacó, pouring cold beer by the sand since 1964.
  • Coco's Beach Front (Restaurante Coco's Herradura)Food & CoffeeBeachfront seafood restaurant on Playa Herradura with a terrace under string lights, craft cocktails and live music some days.
  • El Hicaco SeafoodFood & CoffeeBeachfront seafood restaurant in Jacó with sunset views over the bay; Wednesday nights are an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet.
  • El Jardín Orotina (buffet & souvenir stop)Food & CoffeeBig roadside stop near Orotina with a self-service Costa Rican breakfast and lunch buffet, a large souvenir hall, an ice-cream counter and live marimba music.
  • El Point Jaco BeachFood & CoffeeBeachfront restaurant at the south end of Jacó beach with sunset views over the surf break.
  • Green Room CafeFood & Coffee · takes 1 h–2 hA lively all-day cafe-restaurant on Jaco's main street, popular for brunch, healthy plates and cocktails, with live music in the evenings.
  • Hotel Playa Bejuco — Sunsets RestaurantFood & CoffeeSimple, locally run hotel a minute from Playa Bejuco whose poolside restaurant serves Costa Rican plates like arroz con pollo and casados.
  • Hotel Villa Caletas — Anfiteatro sunset bar & El Mirador restaurantFood & CoffeeClifftop hotel 350 m above the Gulf of Nicoya, north of Herradura, famous for its Greek-style amphitheater where people gather for sunset with a cocktail from the martini bar.
  • Jacó SaborFood & CoffeeTiny, rustic restaurant in the Quebrada Seca area of Jacó with swing seats, low prices and fresh seafood.
  • Karma Café & RestaurantFood & CoffeeVegan and plant-based café in the Il Galeone plaza with smoothie bowls, burgers, Buddha bowls and cauliflower wings.
  • Koko Gastro BarFood & CoffeeBeachfront gastro bar at the end of a dirt lane in Jacó, where you hear the waves from your table; good value for the location.
  • La Artesanal (Panadería Artesanal)Food & CoffeeFrench-style bakery and coffee shop (also called Leandro's) with flat whites, breakfast burritos, salads and fresh bread at fair prices.
  • Lemon ZestFood & Coffee · takes 1.5 h–2 hA long-running chef-owned restaurant in central Jaco, open since 2007, for an evening of gourmet cooking and good wine.
  • Los AlmendrosFood & CoffeeLaid-back restaurant under almond trees a block from the beach in Esterillos Oeste, with Asian-Caribbean dishes, the day's fresh fish and vegan options.
  • Los GuarumosFood & CoffeeOpen-air restaurant set in leafy forest on the Costanera.
  • Los Mahi Tacos del CholoFood & CoffeeSmall taco spot across from Jacó Walk, famous for fresh mahi-mahi fish tacos with sriracha sauce.
  • Los Sueños Marina VillageFood & Coffee · takes 1 h–2 hThe restaurant row of Los Sueños marina at Playa Herradura, a sport-fishing harbour ringed by forested hills.
  • Manglar Bar and RestaurantFood & CoffeeCasual bar-restaurant at the quiet north end of Jacó beach, 50 m from Hotel Croc's, loved for ceviche, nachos and burgers made with locally raised beef.
  • Marea AltaFood & CoffeeLocal restaurant 300 m south of the Red Cross in Jacó, known for generous breakfasts (pancakes, omelettes, fresh fruit) and a chifrijo that reviewers rave about.
  • Marisquería RestauranticosFood & CoffeeRoadside seafood restaurant on the coastal highway at Pógeres, between Tárcoles and Punta Leona, with surf-and-turf plates and fresh fruit juices.
  • Mirador y Restaurante Donde AndrésFood & CoffeeWeekend farm restaurant and viewpoint run by Andrés and his wife, with food made from local ingredients and stunning views over the countryside.
  • Pachis Pan and BakeryFood & CoffeeLong-running local bakery open from early morning to evening: beef empanadas, churros, tres leches cake, sweet and savory breads and very cheap coffee.
  • Patacón CevicheroFood & CoffeeRoadside seafood stop on the Costanera whose specialty is thin, crispy patacones.
  • Patisserie ManonFood & CoffeeFrench patisserie 50 m north of the Red Cross on Pastor Díaz Avenue, praised for croissants, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, breads and cakes, with a few tables and a lounge couch at the back.
  • PuddleFish BreweryFood & Coffee · takes 1 h–3 hJaco's own craft brewery, set in a converted warehouse one block from the beach in the south of town.
  • Rancho ShaddayFood & CoffeeRustic hilltop restaurant near Carara where everything is cooked over a wood fire in front of you.
  • Restaurante La Casa de CarmenFood & CoffeeHome-style Costa Rican restaurant where Carmen cooks and her husband hosts.
  • Restaurante RústicosFood & CoffeeCafeteria-style Costa Rican restaurant on Pastor Díaz Avenue with no fixed menu: you choose from the counter.
  • Restaurante Vista HermosaFood & CoffeeOceanside spot at Playa Hermosa with views of the surf break, known for fresh fish at fair prices.
  • Steven Lisa'sFood & CoffeeGarden restaurant by the Tárcoles turn-off on the Costanera, with flowers around the tables and a tree where wildlife shows up.
  • The Pizza ShopFood & CoffeeSurf-town pizza place on Pastor Díaz Avenue with thin-crust New York-style pies, garlic knots and house-smoked meats, plus vegan options.
  • Tiko Restaurante MiradorFood & CoffeeClifftop mirador restaurant on the edge of Carara National Park with Pacific views, serving local dishes, homemade Asian food and fresh seafood.
  • Vida Hermosa Bar & RestaurantFood & CoffeeBeachfront bar-restaurant on Playa Hermosa with an ocean view, handmade cocktails and sushi.
  • Vista Mar (Tárcoles)Food & CoffeeSeafood restaurant on a bluff above the Costanera with ocean views and a tunnel that leads down to the beach.

Yoga & Wellness

  • Aurora Yoga StudioYoga & Wellness · takes 1.5 h · from $15A friendly open-air yoga studio upstairs at Jaco Walk, two minutes from the beach, where big windows let in the sea breeze and the sound of the waves.
  • Spa Shirley at Hotel JacoYoga & Wellness · takes 1 h · from $70A small, private spa inside beachfront Hotel Jaco, run by therapist Shirley, whom hotel guests repeatedly name as the highlight of their stay.
  • The Body Spa Jacó BeachYoga & Wellness · takes 1 h–1.5 hA modern beauty and massage spa a few steps from the sand in central Jaco, handy for a massage, facial or nails between beach sessions.

Day Passes & Hot Springs

  • Best Western Jacó Beach ResortDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 9 hA beachfront resort in the middle of Jaco that sells an all-inclusive day pass: breakfast, lunch, snacks and unlimited drinks plus the pools, from 8 am to 5 pm.
  • Croc's Resort & CasinoDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 9 h · from $35A big beachfront resort at the north end of Jaco beach built around a lagoon-style pool of waterfalls and channels that opens onto the sand.
  • Hotel Fuego del SolDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 12 h · from $25A relaxed 27-room hotel right on Playa Hermosa, the surf beach just south of Jaco.
  • Hotel Terraza del PacíficoDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 12 hA beachfront hotel on Playa Hermosa, the dark-sand surf beach just south of Jaco, whose day pass gives you two pools open into the evening, loungers with bar service and a beach bar facing the sunset.
  • Punta Leona Beach ClubDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 9 h · from $47.50A big beach-club resort on a private forest reserve just north of Jacó, where a day pass gets you buffet breakfast and lunch, pools and the beach.
  • Serenity Spa at Hotel Villa CaletasDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 2 h–2.5 h · from $90A cliff-top spa at Hotel Villa Caletas, about 300 m above the Pacific near Herradura, where treatment rooms look out over rainforest and ocean.

Parks & Wildlife

  • Bijagual WaterfallParks & Wildlife · takes 3 h–4 h · from $20A rainforest hike or horseback ride in the hills above Jacó to one of Costa Rica's tallest waterfalls, ending with a swim in cool natural pools.
  • Catarata El Salto de GamalotilloParks & WildlifeFamily-run waterfall about 45 minutes from Esterillos and Bejuco: a 6 m (20 ft) fall into a deep round pool, a shallow wading area, picnic spot and a 1.5-hour forest trail past a second fall.
  • Catarata Valle EncantadoParks & Wildlife · from $10A private farm in the hills near Herradura with a river that steps down through eight or more swimmable pools to a high waterfall; the upper part is a scramble up boulders with ropes and wooden steps.
  • Crocodile Man TourParks & Wildlife · takes 2 h · from $39.55A long-established boat tour on the Tarcoles River, where big American crocodiles bask on the banks a short drive from Jacó.
  • Hotel Cerro LodgeParks & Wildlife · from $10A small lodge built for birders and photographers, a few minutes from the Tarcoles River and Carara National Park, with sea and mountain views.
  • Jose's Crocodile River TourParks & WildlifeBoat tours on the Tárcoles River to see big American crocodiles up close, plus scarlet macaws, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and mangrove channels.
  • Jungle Crocodile SafariParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h · from $40A relaxed boat ride on the Tarcoles River, home to one of Costa Rica's largest crocodile populations, out through the mangroves to the river mouth.
  • Macaw LodgeParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h–4 h · from $40An eco-lodge on a private forest reserve in the Turrubares hills near Carara, where more than 350 bird species have been recorded.
  • Neofauna Costa Rica (Mariposario & Tours)Parks & WildlifeButterfly garden and tour agency near Jacó that runs monkey and waterfall tours plus guided Manuel Antonio day trips.
  • Pura Vida Gardens and WaterfallParks & WildlifeHillside botanical garden above Tárcoles with trails, a waterfall overlook and Pacific views.
  • Royal ButterfliesParks & WildlifeSmall, family-run butterfly farm with guided tours where hosts Dan and Donna explain butterfly life cycles and species.

Surf, Boats & Diving

  • Costa Cat CruisesSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2 h–8 h · from $120A full day on a big, stable catamaran from Los Sueños Marina to Tortuga Island's white-sand beach, with snorkelling, a banana boat ride, a short jungle hike and a barbecue lunch with rum punch.
  • Jaco Surf SchoolSurf, Boats & DivingBeach surf school on Calle Bohío next to the sand, with a safe place for belongings and lounge chairs and umbrellas after the lesson.
  • Kayak JacoSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 3 h–4 hA paddling outfitter based at Playa Agujas, north of Jacó near Punta Leona, offering half-day sea kayak trips with a beach snorkel when the sea allows.
  • Maverick SportfishingSurf, Boats & DivingA large sportfishing fleet based at Los Sueños Marina in Herradura, running fully crewed offshore charters for sailfish, marlin, tuna and dorado.
  • School of the WorldSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2 h–4 h · from $363A surf camp, Spanish school and small boutique hotel in a quiet part of Jacó, built for adults who want a week or more of daily surf coaching, often travelling solo.
  • Surfer Factory Surf SchoolSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2 h · from $49A Jacó surf school and shop that gets beginners up on Jacó's warm, easy waves in two-hour lessons, with board, rash guard and hotel transport included.
  • Take a Wave CR Surf SchoolSurf, Boats & DivingSmall surf school at the south end of Jacó beach with bilingual instructors Ana and Nico, who are described as patient and encouraging.
  • Tortuga Surf CampSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2 h–3.5 h · from $60A long-running surf school right on Playa Jacó, teaching two-hour lessons for all levels since 2007, plus sunrise paddle-board tours and week-long surf retreats.

Sodas & Local Food

  • Restaurante La OstraSodas & Local FoodWell-known seafood house in Quebrada Ganado on the highway north of Jacó, a little pricier than a soda, for fresh fish done carefully.
  • Soda El GuácimoSodas & Local FoodOpen-air roadside soda on the Costanera north of Tárcoles with big portions, quick service and clean tables.
  • Soda El TucánSodas & Local FoodPopular roadside soda in the center of Parrita (next to Coopeande) known for huge casado plates, chorizo and its own house chili sauce.
  • Soda GarabitoSodas & Local FoodBusy cafeteria-style soda in central Jacó where you point at what you want from the counter.
  • Soda Marea BajaSodas & Local FoodRoadside soda on the Costanera at Jacó, cooked by locals for locals: salad bar, refillable plates and fresh shrimp and fish.
  • Soda MargaritaSodas & Local FoodRustic palm-roofed soda at the north end of Esterillos Oeste, near the tide pools, for a traditional breakfast or lunch.
  • Soda RaquelSodas & Local FoodBudget-friendly soda a short walk from the beach with a lunch-and-breakfast crowd.
  • Soda y Marisquería Mary MarSodas & Local FoodFamily-run soda and seafood kitchen: a husband-and-wife team cooks in an open kitchen with a homemade hot sauce, shrimp casado and fried sea bass.

Secret spots in Jacó & Herradura

  • Carara National ParkTrail · about $11A transition forest where Costa Rica's dry north meets the humid south, famous for wild scarlet macaws plus trogons, monkeys and agoutis.
  • Orotina fruit stands (fruterías of Coyolar, Route 27)Local shop · FreeA row of roadside fruterías on Route 27 at Coyolar de Orotina — a town famous for its fruit — where beach traffic pulls over for mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, coconuts and homemade cajetas (milk fudge), with quick food stands alongside.
  • Playa Hermosa (Jacó)Beach · FreeCosta Rica's most consistent heavy beach break, just south of Jacó and a regular stop for international surf contests.
  • Playa JacóBeach · FreeFour kilometers of gray volcanic sand in the beach town closest to San José, with beginner-friendly waves, surf schools along the shore and big Pacific sunsets.
  • Tárcoles Crocodile BridgeNature spot · FreeThe Route 34 bridge over the Río Tárcoles is a free front-row seat to one of the biggest American crocodile hangouts in the country: dozens of crocs, some 4 m long, sunning on the sandbanks below.
  • Berlin ObservationViewpointA viewpoint near San Ramón, Costa Rica, popular at sunset.
  • Catarata El Encanto (El Barón, Esparza)Waterfall · about $4 · hidden gemA wide curtain of water pouring about 23 m (75 ft) over a sheer rock wall on the Río Paires, in the dry countryside between Esparza and San Mateo — it looks a lot like a smaller Llanos de Cortés.
  • El Miro Ruins HikeTrail · FreeA steep 30–40 minute climb above the south end of Jacó to the graffiti-covered shell of an unfinished hilltop building, with the best panorama of Jacó Bay there is.
  • Mirador Jacó (JACÓ letters)Viewpoint · FreeA roadside lookout on Route 34 at the south end of town, with the big JACÓ letters and a sweeping view over the whole bay: the classic Jacó photo.
  • Peñón de GuacalilloViewpoint · Free · hidden gemA 12-meter (40 ft) cliff of old volcanic rock rising straight out of the dark sand of Playa Guacalillo, north of Tárcoles.
  • Playa Blanca (Punta Leona)Swimming spot · FreeA rare white-sand cove on this dark-sand coast, with clear water and rocky points that make it one of the best snorkeling spots near Jacó.
  • Playa CalderaBeach · FreeThe nearest beach to San Mateo and Orotina at the end of Route 27: a lively, no-frills local beach next to the port of Caldera, with vendors selling churchills (shaved ice) and a consistent left-hand beach break that surfers ride at mid to high tide.
  • Playa Esterillos OesteBeach · FreeA long, quiet stretch of dark sand backed by palms and almond trees, with rocky points, little creeks and big sunsets over the Gulf of Nicoya.
  • Playa HerraduraBeach · FreeA horseshoe bay of dark sand just north of Jacó, tucked between headlands, so the water is far calmer than Jacó's surf.
  • Playa MantasBeach · about $20A sheltered cove beside Punta Leona with clear, gentle water: one of the best swimming beaches near Jacó and a weekend favorite of families from San José.
  • Centro Cívico de Jacó (skatepark)Park · Free · hidden gemJacó's free community recreation centre, with a skatepark, sports courts and a library, a hangout for local kids away from the beach strip.
  • Crocodile Statue, TárcolesLandmark · FreeA crocodile sculpture by the coastal highway at the fishing village of Tárcoles — a fun photo stop that goes with the real crocs under the Tárcoles bridge a few minutes north.
  • Estero Mata de LimónNature spot · FreeA calm, mangrove-fringed estuary beside the fishing village of Mata de Limón, next to the port of Caldera.
  • Feria Nacional de la Lapa Roja (Scarlet Macaw Fair), Bijagual de TurrubaresLandmark · Free · hidden gemA free village fair in the hills above Carara National Park celebrating the scarlet macaws of the area: food made with local Turrubares ingredients, talks on wildlife and living alongside it, hands-on workshops, a cacao exhibit, games and races.
  • Hidden Ocean LookoutViewpointA viewpoint near Jacó, Costa Rica, popular at sunset.
  • Humedal Marino Playa BlancaNature spotA protected marine wetland created in 1994, in the Central Pacific Conservation Area.
  • Isla Herradura (paddle or boat from Playa Herradura)Nature spot · about $30 · hidden gemA small forested island with an old lighthouse guarding Herradura Bay, between Jacó and Los Sueños.
  • Jacó Farmers MarketLocal shop · FreeJacó's weekly feria: piles of tropical fruit you've never heard of, fresh cheese, tamales, homemade hot sauces and jams.
  • Jacó Street MuralsLandmark · FreeJacó's walls double as an open-air gallery: the local ArtifyJacó project has covered buildings, parking lots and even utility poles with big, colorful murals.
  • La Sirena & Esterillos Oeste Tide PoolsLandmark · Free · hidden gemA bronze mermaid on a rock pedestal off Esterillos Oeste, a local legend ever since a fisherman swore he saw a real one.
  • Laguna Meándrica Trail (Carara)Trail · about $11 · hidden gemCarara's quiet northern sector, right by the Tárcoles bridge: a flat forest trail to an old oxbow lagoon of the river, with herons, kingfishers and often macaws.
  • Minas del Aguacate: river pools & old gold mineSwimming spot · Free · hidden gemRiver pools and small waterfalls in Aguacate de San Mateo, next to the Mina La Unión — a gold mine from the 1850s whose first 365 m of tunnel were restored by the community.
  • Parque Central de OrotinaPark · FreeOrotina's tree-shaded main plaza, with an old octagonal kiosk, monuments to the Cuban patriot José Martí and to the Indigenous king Garabito, and the town church on one side.
  • Parque Johannes DankersPark · FreeA neighborhood park in central Jacó near the beach, with sports courts, paths and a stage for town events — where local families hang out in the afternoon.
  • Parroquia Santo Domingo de Guzmán (Orotina)Landmark · FreeOrotina's parish church, finished in 1905 after construction began in 1893 on land donated by a local landowner.
  • Playa AgujasBeach · Free · hidden gemA low-key village beach between Punta Leona and Tárcoles, with gentle waves, fishing boats and hardly any tourists: everything busy Jacó isn't.
  • Playa Azul & Tárcoles River MouthNature spot · Free · hidden gemWhere the Tárcoles River pours into the Gulf of Nicoya: a wide estuary beach with flocks of gulls, pelicans and frigatebirds, fishing boats, and at dusk, pairs of scarlet macaws flying out to roost in the mangroves.
  • Playa Bajamar & the sea caves of Punta del PacíficoBeach · Free · hidden gemA long dark-sand beach north of Peñón de Guacalillo, backed by lagoons and a tiny fishing village.
  • Playa BejucoBeach · FreeA sleepy palm-lined beach village halfway between Jacó and Manuel Antonio.
  • Playa Esterillos CentroBeach · Free · hidden gemThe calm middle section of the long Esterillos beach, between the Oeste and Este sides, with a handful of restaurants and cabinas and almost no crowds.
  • Playa Esterillos EsteBeach · Free · hidden gemA long, wide, palm-backed stretch of gray sand south of Jacó, where you can walk for kilometers and meet only a few surfers and fishermen.
  • Playa Limoncito (paddle-in cove by Punta Leona)Beach · about $45 · hidden gemA tiny jungle-backed cove next to Playa Mantas and Punta Leona that people reach by kayak or Hawaiian outrigger canoe from Playa Agujas.
  • Playa PógeresBeach · Free · hidden gemA low-key beach between Tárcoles and Punta Leona, popular with Costa Rican families but rarely crowded, with local seafood spots nearby.
  • Playa TárcolesBeach · Free · hidden gemThe beach of Tárcoles village, a short drive from the crocodile bridge and the river mouth.
  • Playa TivivesBeach · Free · hidden gemA dark-sand Pacific beach beside the small fishing village of Tivives, backed by the coastal dry forest of the Tivives Protected Zone, with rocky points, a river mouth and sunsets over the gulf.
  • Puente Colgante Mata de LimónBridge · Free · hidden gemA pedestrian suspension bridge over the estuary at Mata de Limón, mapped as a footpath next to the village's seafood restaurant.
  • Punta Mala (Playa Hermosa–Punta Mala Wildlife Refuge)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemThe western tip of a state wildlife refuge: a wild gray-sand beach under forested headlands, strewn with driftwood, where olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest.
  • View of Playa HermosaViewpoint · FreeA lookout on the south side of the headland between Jacó and Playa Hermosa, looking down the long dark-sand surf beach that hosts international surf contests.
  • Arbol de HermosaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Jacó, Puntarenas province.
  • Cachimbal Railway TunnelLandmark · Free · hidden gemAn old tunnel of the Pacific Railway (Ferrocarril al Pacífico) in the hills of Cachimbal, near Caldera — a favorite stop on local mountain-bike loops from Salinas and Mata de Limón.
  • Caribou plane photo stop (Esterillos Town Center, Bejuco)Landmark · Free · hidden gemA retired De Havilland C-7A Caribou cargo plane (ex-US Air Force) parked as a roadside display at the Esterillos Town Center shops in Bejuco — a quick, quirky photo stop on the Costanera between Jacó and Quepos.
  • Catarata Manantial de Agua VivaWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall near Tárcoles, Puntarenas province.
  • Cuevas IcacoBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Mirador Del MarViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Parrita, Puntarenas province.
  • Old Railway Bridge over Río Jesús María (La Ceiba)Bridge · Free · hidden gemA historic Pacific Railway bridge across the Jesús María River near La Ceiba de Orotina, a quiet stop on the country roads between Orotina and Caldera.
  • Pacific lookout above Quebrada GanadoViewpoint · Free · hidden gemA viewpoint at about 660 m at the top of the long climb from Quebrada Ganado into the Carara hills, with a view down over the Pacific coast.
  • Peñón de BajamarViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Lagunillas, Puntarenas province.
  • Playa BalsalBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa Boca de BarrancaBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa BochincheBeach · Free · hidden gemA small, almost empty beach just north of Playa Agujas, on the quiet stretch between Punta Leona and Tárcoles.
  • Playa CaletasBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa CarrizalBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa Carrizal de BajamarBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa ConejoBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa Doña AnaBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa EscondidaBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa FantasiaBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa Faro EscondidoBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa IcacoBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa Marina Los SueñosBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa MatapaloBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa San IsidroBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Playa TerciopeloBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Punta CorralilloBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Punta TorreBeachA beach in the Jacó coast.
  • Río Concepción waterfall (Hacienda Vieja, Orotina)Waterfall · Free · hidden gemA small forest waterfall on the Concepción River near Hacienda Vieja, in the hills between Orotina and San Mateo, known mostly to local mountain bikers.
  • Río Machuca swimming holeSwimming spot · Free · hidden gemA clear, rocky pool on the Río Machuca just outside Orotina, where locals cool off in the shade of big trees.
  • Ruins of the old church of San Juan de Dios (San Mateo)Landmark · Free · hidden gemThe ruined walls of the old church of San Juan de Dios, out in the countryside north of San Mateo — a quiet stop on the back roads toward Esparza.
  • Stone Bridge & river pool, Río Jesús María (San Mateo)Swimming spot · Free · hidden gemAn old stone bridge over the Jesús María River in the village of Jesús María de San Mateo, with steps down to the riverbank and a pool where locals cool off.
  • Tecolote CerroViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Macacona, Puntarenas province.
  • Tivives Protective Zone: trail & lookout towerTrail · hidden gemDry coastal forest in the hills between Caldera and Tivives, protected as the Tivives Protective Zone.
  • View of Caldera (Salinas lookout)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA hilltop lookout at about 160 m above the village of Salinas, looking out over Caldera bay and the port, inside the Tivives Protective Zone.