Best Things to Do in Jacó Besides Snorkeling

One of the best things about our morning snorkel tour near Jacó is that it leaves the rest of your day wide open. You're back from the white-sand cove by lunchtime, so you can fill the afternoon with everything else this stretch of the Costa Rican coast does well. Here are our favorite things to do in Jacó to round out a great day.

1. Relax on Jacó Beach

Jacó's main beach is a long, lively stretch of dark volcanic sand — great for a walk, a swim, people-watching, and world-class sunsets. It's a surf town at heart, so grab a smoothie, rent a board, or just stretch out after your snorkel tour near Jacó and soak up the Pacific.

2. Spot wildlife

You don't have to go far to see Costa Rica's famous wildlife. Scarlet macaws fly over Jacó in squawking pairs, and nearby spots have monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and tropical birds. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times — perfect for after the tour.

3. Chase a waterfall

The hills behind Jacó hide several waterfalls and swimming holes. A short drive gets you to jungle pools where you can cool off and hike — a nice contrast to a morning in the ocean.

4. Catch the sunset

Jacó faces west, so the sunsets are reliably spectacular. Post up on the beach with a drink and watch the sky go orange over the water. It's the natural bookend to a day that started underwater.

5. Eat fresh seafood

Local boats bring in snapper, mahi-mahi, and tuna daily, so the seafood here is as fresh as it gets. Grab a casado or ceviche in town, or have a private chef cook the catch at your villa.

Build it around the snorkel tour

The easy way to plan a day: snorkel the calm cove at Playa Mantas in the morning (about 1.5 hours in the water, $69 per person, gear and guide included), then pick a couple of these to fill the afternoon. You can read real guest reviews on our reviews section, and book your tour in a minute below. Everything else is at snorkeljaco.com.

Questions about timing or combining the tour with other activities? Message us anytime — we're happy to help you plan the day.

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