Snorkel Jacó's Only White Sand Beach

A hidden cove 25 minutes from Jacó — tropical fish below, monkeys on the sand, and ~50 professional photos of it all included.

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★★★★★ Rated on TripAdvisor
1,000+ tours over the last 4 years
Photos included ~50 pro shots per group
All gear provided mask · snorkel · fins
See The Tour

Real clips, real guests

Real guests, right after the tour — captions on, tap for sound, swipe up for the next one.

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Your Guides

The people behind the tour

Bill, owner and guide of Snorkel Jaco

Bill — Owner & Guide

Originally from San Diego, Bill has called Costa Rica home for 14 years. A lifelong passion for snorkeling led him to start Snorkel Jaco — and over 1,000 tours later, his mission hasn't changed: take you somewhere most tourists never find, photograph every moment of it, and send you home with the best day of your trip.

Luis, local guide at Snorkel Jaco

Luis — Local Guide

Luis, 35, grew up just minutes from the beach where every tour runs. That local knowledge — which reef to visit, where the fish gather, when the monkeys come down — is what makes the difference between a decent snorkel and an unforgettable one. He's been guiding alongside Bill since day one.

What Guests Say

"The best day of our Costa Rica vacation"

Real feedback from TripAdvisor reviewers.

★★★★★

"We had such a great time with Bill — way better than the island of Tortuga. We saw so many cool fish and just had a great time. You should check it out!"

Britta & Ethan — snorkel tour guests
★★★★★

"We had such a great time with Snorkel Jaco! Bill was an attentive and knowledgeable guide. He was so patient and encouraging with my son. We saw so many gorgeous fish, eels and sea urchins. The beach was stunning and the area was perfect for snorkeling. Would highly recommend."

Britta L. — Google review
★★★★★

"A really nice relaxing afternoon at the best beach we saw in Costa Rica. The guide took about 50 photos along the way — top notch."

TripAdvisor review
★★★★★

"A hidden gem — the postcard beach you were looking to find on your Costa Rica vacation. Vibrant colored fish and sea life everywhere."

TripAdvisor review
★★★★★

"Monkeys came right down to the beach while we dried off. Easily the highlight of our week in Jacó."

TripAdvisor review
Choosing Your Snorkel Day

Thinking about the Tortuga Island tour?

Both are great days out — they're just different trips. Here's an honest side-by-side so you can pick what fits your vacation.

Tortuga Island day trip

  • A full-day boat excursion
  • Often an hour or more of boat each way
  • Larger group boats
  • Snorkeling is one quick stop along the way
  • Around $100–150+ per person

Snorkel Jaco at Playa Mantas

  • Half a day — keep the rest for your vacation
  • Just a 25-minute drive, no long boat ride
  • Small groups, personal attention
  • Snorkeling & beach time are the tour
  • $80 per person — gear & photos included
Check tour times
See It Yourself

The beach, the reef, the day

Every photo below was taken on this tour.

White sand beach near Jacó Costa Rica with beach umbrella
The only white sand beach in the Jacó region
Tour group wearing snorkel masks ready to swim
Gear up — masks, snorkels & fins included
Guest snorkeling in clear calm water at Playa Mantas
Calm, clear water — easy for first-timers
Guests walking the white sand beach under palm trees
Beach time at the natural reserve
Colorful reef fish seen while snorkeling near Jacó
What's waiting under the surface
Sunset swim at the beach near Jacó
End the day the Costa Rica way
The Experience

White Sand Beach Snorkeling Tour

We leave Jacó behind and head 25 minutes north to a pristine natural-reserve beach — the postcard Costa Rica you came for. Snorkel clear, calm water full of tropical life, then relax on the sand while monkeys play in the trees.

1.5 hourson the beach & in the water
25 minscenic ride north of Jacó
All levelsfirst-timers & kids welcome
Small groupspersonal attention, every tour
Snorkel Jaco guide with the tour group on the beach at Playa Mantas

Photos of your day, included

Your guide snaps photos and videos of your group throughout the tour — in the water, on the beach, and along the natural reserve — and shares them with you afterward at no extra cost. Moments like this one are exactly what you'll take home.

$80 / person
  • Full snorkel gear — mask, snorkel, fins
  • Photos of your group, shared after the tour
  • Experienced local guide, full safety briefing
  • Beach time at the natural reserve
Check availability

We meet you at Playa Mantas, ~25 minutes north of Jacó, then head to a secluded nearby cove to snorkel. An Uber from Jacó is the easiest (and cheapest) way to get there.

The Location

Where you'll snorkel: a hidden cove near Playa Mantas

We meet at Playa Mantas, an easy-to-reach white-sand beach about 25 minutes north of Jacó. From there we head to a secluded cove nearby — a quieter, protected spot where the water stays calm and clear and the reef life is best. It's the kind of place most tourists never find on their own.

Reaching the cove involves a short walk with a brief trail section. If that's not for you, no problem — we can arrange an easier drop-off. No one gets left out.

Daily Schedule

Upcoming Tour Times

Tours go out three times a day — 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Tap a time to reserve and pay for that spot below.

Planning your Costa Rica trip?

Book ahead and your spot is locked in the moment you pay — pick any date up to 3 months out:

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?

About 1.5 hours in the water and on the beach at Playa Mantas — a scenic 25-minute drive north of Jacó.

How much does it cost?

$80 per person — gear and ~50 professional photos included. Book online with a card in under a minute.

Where do we meet? How do we get there?

We meet you right at Playa Mantas, about 25 minutes north of Jacó. An Uber from Jacó is the easiest and cheapest way to get there.

What time are the tours?

Tours start at 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm daily. Check the Upcoming Tour Times, then book the slot that works for you.

Can I book in advance?

Yes — and we recommend it, especially if you're planning your trip from abroad. You can book any date up to 3 months out using the date picker, and your spot is confirmed instantly when you pay. Traveling even further out? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll hold your date.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. We snorkel right off the beach, so you set your own pace. Beginners and kids can stay waist-deep and watch colorful fish in the shallow tide pools; stronger swimmers can head out a bit deeper for more. Your guide gives a full briefing and stays with the group the whole time, and the water here is calm and clear — perfect for first-timers.

What should I bring?

Swimsuit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, and water. We provide everything else.

Will we really see monkeys?

On most tours, yes — it's one of the most photographed moments of the trip. Wildlife is wild, so no promises, but sightings are the norm.

How is this different from the Tortuga Island tour?

The Tortuga Island trip is a full-day boat excursion — often an hour or more of boat each way, larger groups, and snorkeling is just one stop along the way. Ours is the opposite: a 25-minute drive north to Playa Mantas, no long boat ride, about 1.5 hours where snorkeling and beach time are the whole point, and you keep half your day. It's $80 per person versus the $100–150+ most island day trips run. Different trips for different days — if you want great snorkeling without giving up a whole day, that's us.

How do I book?

Pick a tour time and pay online with a card — it takes under a minute and your spot is confirmed instantly. Just have a question first? Message us on WhatsApp or email jacosnorkel@gmail.com and we'll reply within hours.

Ready for the best beach in Jacó?

Book and pay online in under a minute — or send us a message. Either way, your spot is confirmed fast.

Book & Pay Online

Secure card checkout — $80 per person.

Secure checkout by Square. Price is $80/person; a small card processing fee is added at checkout. You'll get an instant email receipt.

Questions before you book? Reach us anytime:

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