Eight Jacó tours and day trips with links to live prices and availability, from a two-hour surf lesson to a private Tortuga Island boat. Each card names the meeting point and what's included.
Eight picks: two on the beach, four in the forests and rivers just outside town, and two full day trips. Prices are live 'From' fares. Filter by type:
A guided walk in Carara, about 25 minutes north of Jacó, looking for monkeys, snakes and the park's famous scarlet macaws. The park entrance ticket and a spotting telescope are included.
A 105-minute boat trip on the Tárcoles River to see American crocodiles, some over 4 metres long, plus herons and other river birds, with a bilingual guide.
An early-morning birding walk with an expert guide and professional optics, built for beginners and serious birders alike.
Runners-up from our experiences page. Each opens live dates.
Traditional food and drinks around town, 3–4 hours.
See Availability ↗A cheaper small-group walk with a spotting scope.
See Availability ↗Short guided park walk if you drive down yourself.
See Availability ↗Boat tour through the mangroves near Quepos.
See Availability ↗From our essentials page: the Central Pacific sun is strong year-round.
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A two-hour lesson on Jacó's beginner-friendly beach break, for all ages. Boards are included.
A guided hike at Finca Los Solís, about five minutes from Jacó Beach, starting with fresh sugar-cane juice and ending with lunch. Photos and videos from the trail are sent afterwards.
Two hours on calm, well-trained horses, with guides who let each rider steer their own horse. Suitable for complete beginners.
Hotel pickup in Jacó, a guided hike in Manuel Antonio's rainforest and beaches, swimming time, lunch and drinks.
A private speedboat to Tortuga Island with snorkel gear, a paddleboard, beach chairs, breakfast, lunch and drinks. Smaller than the big catamarans and more flexible.
Knowing which neighborhood, pier, or region your tour departs from saves hours in transit. Click any area below for our dedicated sub-guide:
Restaurants, shops and the main beach in one strip; most tours pick up here.
Best for: walk-everywhere staysThe beach break most surf schools use, with calmer water toward the south end.
Best for: beginner surfA few kilometres south, with heavier waves and quieter stays.
Best for: experienced surfersTen minutes north; Tortuga Island boats and fishing charters leave from here.
Best for: marina & boat tripsAbout 25–30 minutes north: the national park and the crocodile river sit side by side.
Best for: macaws & crocodilesAbout 75 minutes south: rainforest trails and beaches inside the national park.
Best for: a full day tripSwitch between our 1-Day, Weekend, 3-Day, Family, and Couples blueprints. Each block is sequenced around real transfer times and links directly to the bookable experience.
Macaws early, surf after lunch.
Best light for macaws.
Verified on Viator Book Carara ↗Five minutes from Carara.
Verified on Viator Book the Croc Tour ↗Two hours, boards included.
Verified on Viator Book a Surf Lesson ↗One island day, one jungle day.
Snorkel, lunch, beach chairs.
Verified on Viator Book Tortuga ↗Five minutes from town.
Verified on Viator Book the Hike ↗Two hours, beginners welcome.
Verified on Viator Book the Ride ↗Beach, wildlife, then south.
Settle in.
Verified on Viator Book a Surf Lesson ↗North of town.
Verified on Viator Book Birding ↗Pickup in Jacó.
Verified on Viator Book Manuel Antonio ↗Short, easy and wild.
Under two hours.
Verified on Viator Book the Croc Tour ↗Beginner beach break.
Verified on Viator Book a Surf Lesson ↗Flat, shaded trails.
Verified on Viator Book Carara ↗Private boat and a sunset ride.
Your own boat and music.
Verified on Viator Book Tortuga ↗Cool off in the hills.
Verified on Viator Book the Hike ↗Ask for a late slot.
Verified on Viator Book the Ride ↗Jacó is warm all year. December to April is dry, sunny and busiest; May to November brings afternoon rain, greener hills and fewer crowds, with mornings usually clear. September and October are the wettest months.
Sunny beach days; book tours early
Crowds: HighGreat for Carara birding
Crowds: HighStart early to beat the heat
Crowds: High (Holy Week some years)Easter week is very busy
Crowds: Medium-HighGreen season starts; mornings clear
Crowds: MediumPlan tours before lunch
Crowds: Low-MediumGood mid-year window
Crowds: MediumWaterfalls are full
Crowds: MediumBigger surf, fewer people
Crowds: LowLowest prices; flexible plans help
Crowds: LowLush and quieter
Crowds: MediumHoliday weeks book out early
Crowds: High (holiday peak)Morning slots for Carara and Tortuga Island fill first from December to April. All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so you can hold a slot now and adjust later.
Check Live Dates & Availability ↗Every stay below is in Jacó town within a short walk of the beach, from our hotel deals page. These are Agoda partner stays; rates change daily, so check today's price for your dates.
Jacó town
Per Agoda, a two-bedroom apartment with a washer and dryer and pool access.
Check Rates at Macaws Ocean Club → Live rates on AgodaCalle Las Olas, Jacó
The hotel says the beach is a one-minute walk. Doubles, bungalows or apartments with a kitchen; pool and BBQ on site.
Check Rates at Los Ranchos → Live rates on AgodaCalle Dankers, Jacó
Studio suites and apartments with kitchens; the hotel says the Pacific is 50 steps away.
Check Rates at Tropical Garden → Live rates on AgodaWe pick Jacó tours on what you actually do, how long it takes, what's included and how clear the meeting point is. We never invent star ratings or awards. Meeting points and inclusions come from each operator's live listing.
Last updated & link-audited: Oct 29, 2026 · About this guide · Disclosure
Learn to surf on Jacó Beach, see scarlet macaws in Carara National Park, take the Tárcoles River crocodile boat, hike to the waterfalls in the hills behind town, and spend a day on Tortuga Island.
Carara National Park and the Tárcoles River (25–30 minutes north), Tortuga Island by boat from Herradura, and Manuel Antonio National Park (about 75 minutes south).
Yes. Jacó Beach is a beach break that surf schools use for lessons; Playa Hermosa to the south is better for experienced surfers.
About 25 minutes by car north on Route 34. Guided tours meet at the park entrance.
Yes, you watch from a boat with a guide. The crocodiles are wild, so stay seated and follow the crew's instructions.
Yes. The Manuel Antonio tour on our list picks you up in Jacó and includes the guide, lunch and drinks.
December to April for dry, sunny weather. May to November is greener and quieter, with rain mostly in the afternoons.
Some do. Manuel Antonio and the private Tortuga boat include pickup; the crocodile boat and horseback ride do not. Each card says which.
All eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, per their live listings.
A printable cheat sheet: eight Jacó tours and day trips with meeting points and what's included, plus five ready-made itineraries.