Guidebook for Playa Hermosa
Drinks & Nightlife
Amazing restaurant and bar right on the beach! A great place to enjoy the sunset and catch up with a mix of locals and tourists. There is a surf competition every Saturday. Live music too!
52 locals recommend
The Backyard Hotel
Amazing restaurant and bar right on the beach! A great place to enjoy the sunset and catch up with a mix of locals and tourists. There is a surf competition every Saturday. Live music too!
Always packed with a mix of locals and tourists, this is an awesome, laid-back spot to grab a drink. Definitely catering to the surf crowd - think reggae, cheap beer and flip flops - but so much fun.
28 locals recommend
Swell
Always packed with a mix of locals and tourists, this is an awesome, laid-back spot to grab a drink. Definitely catering to the surf crowd - think reggae, cheap beer and flip flops - but so much fun.
Fun, young, laid back place... it's part of a hostel really but the bar is a popular spot for locals. Good drinks, right on the beach and chances are you will end up meeting and chatting with interesting new people pretty quickly. They also do events, local beach clean-ups and themed nights.
15 locals recommend
Selina Jaco
Calle AliceFun, young, laid back place... it's part of a hostel really but the bar is a popular spot for locals. Good drinks, right on the beach and chances are you will end up meeting and chatting with interesting new people pretty quickly. They also do events, local beach clean-ups and themed nights.
A proper bar with good music and good drinks. Nothing too fancy but it's definitely not a dive bar. A favourite spot for locals and the food is decent too.
21 locals recommend
Jaco Bar
MasXMenosA proper bar with good music and good drinks. Nothing too fancy but it's definitely not a dive bar. A favourite spot for locals and the food is decent too.
Sightseeing
High up in the hills behind Jaco, a great place to visit for the views and there's an amazing food stand at the top of the hill. Tours to nearby Bijagual waterfall are arranged from Jaco
8 locals recommend
Bijagual
High up in the hills behind Jaco, a great place to visit for the views and there's an amazing food stand at the top of the hill. Tours to nearby Bijagual waterfall are arranged from Jaco
Only 15 minutes' drive from the house, this is a beautiful national park with hiking trails and amazing wildlife. Early morning visits are your best chance for spotting exotic birds, like the toucan!
158 locals recommend
Carara National Park
Only 15 minutes' drive from the house, this is a beautiful national park with hiking trails and amazing wildlife. Early morning visits are your best chance for spotting exotic birds, like the toucan!
Everything Else
Beautiful, kid-friendly beach with small shops and restaurants nearby. Only 10 minutes' drive from the house.
23 locals recommend
Esterillos Beach
Beautiful, kid-friendly beach with small shops and restaurants nearby. Only 10 minutes' drive from the house.
Amazing yoga retreat and eco-lodge, located 5 minutes away from the house, on Calle Hermosa (http://vidaasana.com)
6 locals recommend
Vida Asana School of Yoga
Amazing yoga retreat and eco-lodge, located 5 minutes away from the house, on Calle Hermosa (http://vidaasana.com)
Gorgeous beach tucked into a little cove in Herradura. Boats leave from this spot to go to Montezuma and Nicoya peninsula. Great swimming beach, calm water for kids. Beware: it is PACKED on weekends
10 locals recommend
Hotel Punta Leona
Gorgeous beach tucked into a little cove in Herradura. Boats leave from this spot to go to Montezuma and Nicoya peninsula. Great swimming beach, calm water for kids. Beware: it is PACKED on weekends
Just past Esterillos is the quiet beach town of Bejuco - a long and wild stretch of coastline. Nearby there is Esterillos Town Centre, where there are several restaurants and shops.
24 locals recommend
Bejuco Beach
Just past Esterillos is the quiet beach town of Bejuco - a long and wild stretch of coastline. Nearby there is Esterillos Town Centre, where there are several restaurants and shops.
Essentials
On the small street just south from the stadium (daycare on corner), there is a food market every Friday. Amazing fresh local produce plus fish, bread, cheese, etc. at unreal prices. Not to be missed!
Estadio de Jaco
On the small street just south from the stadium (daycare on corner), there is a food market every Friday. Amazing fresh local produce plus fish, bread, cheese, etc. at unreal prices. Not to be missed!
When you run out of what you bought at the market, go here to get local fresh produce at excellent prices. Their little fruit salad and smoothie counter is great too!
12 locals recommend
Frutería El Pueblo
Calle Lapa VerdeWhen you run out of what you bought at the market, go here to get local fresh produce at excellent prices. Their little fruit salad and smoothie counter is great too!
Food scene
A 2-minute walk from the house and the food is absolutely delicious. They have a small menu of middle eastern favourites, including falafel and schwarma. Fresh, tasty and filling. One of the few places in the area that actually knows how to prepare lamb. Open for lunch and dinner but generally closes by 6pm
Falafel Hermosa
Ruta Nacional Primaria 34A 2-minute walk from the house and the food is absolutely delicious. They have a small menu of middle eastern favourites, including falafel and schwarma. Fresh, tasty and filling. One of the few places in the area that actually knows how to prepare lamb. Open for lunch and dinner but generally closes by 6pm
Yummy, authentic Peruvian food right in Jaco. The ceviche is the real deal, and great value. Grab a seat by the window overlooking the main street in Jaco for some great people-watching
Pisco Mar Peruvian Bar and Grill
Yummy, authentic Peruvian food right in Jaco. The ceviche is the real deal, and great value. Grab a seat by the window overlooking the main street in Jaco for some great people-watching
A good local spot, only 10 mins' walk from the house. They offer a nice mix of local dishes and some other classics. Great views, right on the beach and they have nice drinks as well. Live music several times per week.
63 locals recommend
Vida Hermosa
A good local spot, only 10 mins' walk from the house. They offer a nice mix of local dishes and some other classics. Great views, right on the beach and they have nice drinks as well. Live music several times per week.
We like this place for a traditional Tico breakfast. A local lady is in the kitchen and she makes delicious, hearty food. Located right on the beach, with awesome views, and decently priced.
Hotel Las Olas
We like this place for a traditional Tico breakfast. A local lady is in the kitchen and she makes delicious, hearty food. Located right on the beach, with awesome views, and decently priced.