Top Jaco On the Water

Learn surfing from the pros at Surfer Factory Surf School in Jaco. Whether you are new to surfing or experienced getting out on the waves, your instructors will be on hand to make your surfing experience both safe and enjoyable. Both morning and afternoon lessons are available to suit your schedule.

Escape to a secluded beach paradise on a day cruise to Playa Fantasia, a hidden stretch of sand on the Nicoya Peninsula that's only accessible by boat. Enjoy the 40-minute catamaran ride from Jaco Beach, and spend several hours relaxing on beach hammocks or trying water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. Stay refreshed with included tropical cocktails and a fresh chef’s lunch prepared right on the beach.

Explore the Tarcoles River, home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations, on this guided boat tour. Along the way, learn about the area’s biodiversity and spot crocodiles, reptiles, and other local wildlife, including more than 50 bird species. Plus, enjoy some Costa Rican coffee and other refreshments on board. Private tour options are available.

Whether you're looking to relax or enjoy something more active, this full-day catamaran excursion to Tortuga Island from Jacó will accomplish your goals. The island has some of the most pristine beaches in Costa Rica, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Make use of the hot tub on board and take a fun banana boat ride if you wish. It is an ideal fun day for couples and groups of friends.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, Jaco is a great place to finally do it. During the two-hour lesson you’ll learn to paddle, stand up, drop into waves, and ride. By the end of the lesson you should be ready to stand and ride your first wave. Receive personalized attention in a small-group lesson that will be tailored to your experience level.

Ride a horse into the jungle on a 1.5-hour tour from Jaco to a towering waterfall, ancient groves of trees and a remote valley ranch. Watch for white-faced monkeys, toucans and macaws as you guide your Costa Rican stepping horse along the trail and enjoy the cool spray from the 180-foot (55-meter) El Encanto waterfall. Take in stunning views of the thickly forested landscape, then finish your tour with fresh fruit and juice at the scenic ranch.

Ride along one of Costa Rica's beautiful beaches during a horseback riding tour at a secluded coastal ranch near Jaco. All experience levels are welcome, as professional cowboy guides give beginners the instruction they need and let more advanced riders cut loose and trot, gallop, and ride in the surf. Choose from a morning or afternoon departure to best suit your schedule and enjoy a delicious drink after your tour.

This Jaco ATV tour may be short, but it doesn’t skimp on adventure, making it a great choice for exploring the Costa Rican rain forest in just a couple of hours. Get behind the wheel of an ATV and follow your personal guide over rugged mountainous terrain, past ocean vista points, and right by a small waterfall.

Experience the Costa Rican jungle from an exciting perspective on this private ATV tour. Traverse rivers, beaches, jungle paths, and muddy trails in the Jaco Beach area, and learn about your surroundings from your dedicated guide. Enjoy photo stops and a chance to relax on the beach for a bit before concluding the experience.

Combine hiking, waterfall swimming, and local cuisine with this tour in Las Monas Rainforest. You'll spend time learning about local plant life and cooling off in waterfall pools, with the option to jump from the top of some of the falls if you dare. You'll then head out to La Casita del Sabor for a local meal before returning to your hotel.

The countryside around Jaco Beach is ideal for an outdoor adventure and this action-packed tour includes two fun activities in one day. Saddle up for a scenic horseback ride through the mountains, hike down to a natural waterfall, and cool off with a swim beneath the falls. Next, take the wheel of an ATV for a thrilling off-road excursion along mud tracks, jungle trails, and coastal roads with spectacular ocean views.

Turn your vacation vibes up a notch with this catamaran tour from Jaco to the secluded Fantasia Beach. Relax in a premium catamaran as you sail out on the ocean, and then catch sight of wildlife like turtles and monkeys while eating a lunch prepared by a private chef on a forested beach only accessible by boat. This tour even includes a bar for the ultimate in relaxation.

Go horseback riding, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, and ATV-ing on this adventure-filled all-day guided tour in the Jaco Jungle. Saddle up on a Costa Rican stepping horse and ride past giant trees, monkeys, and nesting macaws. Then, learn how to rappel down a waterfall before ziplining through the rainforest setting. Finish the day with an afternoon ATV ride. A Costa Rican lunch is also included.

At the end of a fantastic vacation in Costa Rica, the last thing you need is to deal with chaotic or late taxi drivers. Pre-book this private shuttle from Jaco Beach to San Jose or the airport to simplify things. Your driver will meet you in your hotel lobby and take you to your destination. All you need to do is sit back and relax.

Tap into you inner jungle explorer with this waterfall hiking tour in the mountains above Jaco. Ride a 4x4 deep into the rain forest, and then hike along a vertical river, stopping to splash and swim in tropical waterfall pools along the way. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, jump off of rock ledges into the natural pools below for a true taste of ‘pura vida’!

Take a wild ride down Costa Rica's stunning Savergre River on this whitewater rafting tour on Class III rapids. It's an adrenaline-packed adventure that's perfect for the thrill-seeking traveler. Venture one hour outside Jaco and experience the best of this diverse nation's incredible natural landscapes.

Explore a lush jungle on a 4-hour adventure tour from Jaco, then ride, rappel and soar through groves of ancient trees. Steer your Costa Rican stepping horse along a forested path to El Encanto waterfall, then learn the basics of safety and technique before rappelling off the edge of the 180-foot (55-meter) cascade. Hop from pool to pool as you lower yourself along the cliff face, then continue to a series of eight thrilling ziplines, and soar through the forest canopy before hiking to a nearby ranch for refreshments.

Spend a full day exploring the beauty of the Gulf of Nicoya on Isla Tortuga, starting in Jaco. First stop at the Tarcoles River and watch the crocodiles from the bridge, then have a safety speech, and hop on a boat to the island. On the way visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins, then to the Nicoya stone arch for photos, and on to snorkel and have lunch.

Get your adrenaline pumping with this half-day rafting package that includes a two-hour ATV tour of 'Extreme Vista'. Choose to double down and do both activities in a single day, or spread them out over two depending on your schedule. This fun-filled adventure is sure to excite and totally customizable.

Navigate powerful Class IV to V rapids on the Naranjo River with this white-water rafting tour from Jaco. Test your adrenaline threshold on the short but intense section of the river known as El Chorro; a guide makes this trip suitable for even first-time rafters in good physical condition and over 16 years old. Tour includes pickup and drop-off from your Jaco lodging.

Come and enjoy an incredible boat tour to see the beautiful Tortuga Island. During the tour, if the conditions allow it, we will be able to watch dolphins in the bay of the Gulf of Nicoya. When you arrive on the island you have the option of snorkeling, we provide you with the equipment. We will give you 4 to 5 hours of beach, where you can relax under the shade of the palm trees, sunbathe or enjoy the delicious warm and calm sea of Isla Tortuga. At our stand we will have fresh fruits, a delicious lunch and coffee time to make this visit a complete experience.

Enjoy an exciting day on the Herradura Bay with a jet ski adventure all the way to Playa Fantasia. You’ll get to see natural caves that make a gorgeous landscape. You’ll head to the Gulf of Nicoya until you get to the white sands of Playa Fantasia, which you can only access by the sea. Set anchor and spend some time snorkeling, swimming, and possibly going to the beach.

In our surf lessons you will learn to stand up on the board surrounded by almond trees and many scarlet macaws around, our proximity to the green mountains make our location a paradise for wildlife while you learn the best techniques and safety rules with our instructors, then you will go to the super crystal clear water where it is very common to see colorful fish playing in the waves, sometimes if you pay attention to the horizon you will see whales or dolphins jumping, with the water up to your waist deepest, guaranteeing more safety for all students, each student will always be with an instructor and he will select the best waves for you to put into practice all the positions you learned during the explanation. The lesson will last 2 hours with a break in the middle of 15 minutes for hydration. When the lesson is over relax on our beach chairs and just enjoy the real Pura Vida!!

Barrel down the Naranjo River on a half-day guided adventure for seasoned paddlers. After a convenient hotel pickup, travel into the Quepos mountains with a professional, first aid- and mountain rescue-trained guide. Get your thrills with steep drops and rushing rapids. Marvel at the lush scenery and enjoy a homemade lunch included in the tour price.