Essentials
- City
- Jacó, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- Population
- 10,000 (increases significantly with tourists)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic widely available; average 50-100 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 515 CRC (Colones). USD accepted everywhere.
- Tap Water
- Potable and safe to drink in most areas
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US Standard)
- SIM Card
- Liberty or Kölbi; ~$20 for 10GB data
- Banking for Expats
- BAC Credomatic, Banco Nacional; Revolut (Visa/MC) works
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Selina Jacó, Jungle Vibes apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards widely accepted; cash needed for small sodas
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb starts at $800/mo for studios; $1,500/mo for condos
- Budget Accommodation
- Room2Board Hostel & Surf School ($25/night dorm)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jacó Beach Center (near Pastor Diaz Ave)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- South Jacó (quieter) or Madrigal neighborhood
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Jacó ($15/day, $175/mo); Cowork Jacó
- Best Cafe for Work
- Beans Coffee Shop (High speed WiFi, quiet back area)
- Networking Events
- Digital Nomads Jacó Facebook Group meetups at Ohana Sushi
- Social Events for Expats
- Sunday Sunset sessions at Villa Caletas
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (very active) and official Red Taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Jaco Bikes & Lifestyle ($15/day for beach cruisers)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Hermosa (5 mins south) for world-class surfing
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (flights from San José to Quepos nearby)
- Top International Airline
- United, American Airlines, KLM (via SJO Airport)
- Highway Access
- Route 27 (Autopista del Sol) and Route 34 (Costanera)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Buses Jacó (direct buses to San José)
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay per trip (approx. $5 for bus to San José)
- Regional Travel
- Tracopa Bus to Manuel Antonio or San José
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Metropolitan Hospital (Heredia branch) or local clinics like Jaco Clinica
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- DoceLunas Yoga Center; Aurora Yoga
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Platinum Gym (Modern equipment, $50/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Jacó (approx. $2 per kg)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa; UberEats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto (Breakfast) and Casado (Lunch at Soda Garabito)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Karma Café (Plant-based bowls and smoothies)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pachi's Pan (Traditional pastries and tres leches)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mas x Menos supermarket; Friday Farmers Market (Feria)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com or Amazon with Aeropost shipping
- Grocery Delivery
- Auto Mercado (via app or website)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Pastor Diaz Ave (Orange Pub, Green Room)
- Local Brewery
- Pura Vida Tap Room (Craft beers from across CR)
- Wine Bars
- Graffiti Restro Cafe and Wine Bar
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanada kiosks along the beachfront
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ridiculous Burger; Lemon Zest (Upscale International)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- El Miro Mountain viewpoint (Abandoned mansion)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tico Pod Art House & Gifts (Local artisan gallery)
- Historical Sites
- Indigenous ruins in nearby Carara area
- Religious Sites
- Iglesia Católica de Jacó
- Annual Events
- Jaco Surf Series (Pro surf competitions throughout year)
- Cultural Districts
- Downtown Pastor Diaz Art Walk
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Jacó (Local productions and cinema)
- Local Markets
- The Friday Feria (Farmers market near the municipal building)
- Music Scene
- Green Room (Live local bands almost nightly)
- Street Art
- The Jacó 'Art Walk' murals scattered across town
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions at Villa Caletas
- Art Galleries
- Zukia Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Villa Caletas (Neo-classical amphitheater style)
- Local Heritage
- Surf culture and the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Carara National Park (20 mins north)
- National Parks Nearby
- Manuel Antonio National Park (1 hour south)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Miro Mountain trail (Hiking and MTB)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Jacó Sign Lookout on the southern hill
- Birdwatching Locations
- Tárcoles River (Scarlet macaws and crocodiles)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- South end of Playa Jacó (Permits often required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica; DHL Jacó
- Tech Repair Services
- Jaco Tech Support (Pastor Diaz Ave)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Room2Board common area
- Language Classes
- Academia de Español D'Amore
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Selina Library area
- Community Centers
- Jaco Municipal Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes in center town
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Croc's Casino Resort
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $126,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $94,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $169,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $123,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $216,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,750 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $157,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% standard (35% for some banks)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial (Tax only on income earned within Costa Rica)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% personal income tax
- VAT
- 13% (Value Added Tax / IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No strict CFC rules currently
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of the registered property value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% Real Estate Transfer Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa (Law 10.008) offers 0% income tax on foreign earnings