El Miro Ruins Hike
Trail · Jacó & Herradura
A 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. White-faced monkeys, lizards and poison dart frogs are common on the way.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 1.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 6 / 10
- Location
- 9.59579, -84.6179 — Google Maps
Tip
Start early to beat the heat, wear proper shoes and carry water. If you stay for sunset, bring a headlamp for the walk down.
Be careful
Go in daylight and with company, stay on the main track and don't leave valuables in the car at the trailhead.
Getting there
The trailhead is on Route 34 at Calle Madrigal, opposite the gas station at the south end of Jacó. The first 100 m are steep pavement, then a rough dirt road (about 2.7 km round trip). Informal parking may cost around ₡3,000.
Places nearby
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- El Point Jaco BeachFood & CoffeeBeachfront restaurant at the south end of Jacó beach with sunset views over the surf break.
- Jacó SaborFood & CoffeeTiny, rustic restaurant in the Quebrada Seca area of Jacó with swing seats, low prices and fresh seafood.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/8722383217 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/8722383217 · https://beachhomecostarica.com/2021/09/08/top-free-things-to-do-around-jaco/ · https://drinkteatravel.com/things-to-do-in-jaco-costa-rica/ · https://destinationlesstravel.com/things-to-do-in-jaco-costa-rica/