Surfing

Jaco has world-class surfing that attracts surfing enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you’ll find some great waves at its beaches. The town hosted the 2009 ISA World Surfing Championships and many other competitions. At just about 3 miles long, Jaco’s coast is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand protected by two rocky outposts on the northern and southern points. This protection blunts the force of incoming swells, creating perfect waves for beginners and intermediate surfers. That doesn’t mean that advanced surfers can’t have fun here, however—on bigger days, you’ll see plenty of pros in the water. It’s obvious that Jaco is a surf town, thanks to the surf shacks that dot the coastline and the surf-themed decor in every bar, restaurant, and shop in town. If you’ve come to Costa Rica to surf, Jaco is the place for you! Here you will find certified professional surf instructors, boards to buy and rent, surf gear, and plenty of waves.

Are you interested in learning how to surf during your trip to Costa Rica? Well, as Jaco is Costa Rica’s surfing capital, you’ve definitely come to the right place! The consistent waves and powerful white water make Jaco a perfect location for beginners. Make sure you do some research on instructors before choosing where to take your Jaco surf lessons. While there are plenty of surf shacks on the beach offering discounted deals, their service may not be as valuable as the service of a certified instructor.

While the waves in Jaco can be strong, the beach is safe for sunbathers and swimmers. It’s advised that you are cautious when you enter the ocean, however—look out for riptides, pay attention to the size of the swell, and don’t go in if you feel that the conditions are stronger than you are prepared for. With a little ocean awareness, everyone can have a fun and safe time at Jaco beach. The beach is protected by Jaco’s gaurdavidas, or lifeguards. You can find their tower on the beach at Calle Bohio.

If you already know how to surf, don’t cross Jaco off your list. While the beginners will be hanging out in the whitewash, the green waves out in the lineup are perfect for honing your skills. There are enough people surfing here so that you won’t feel alone, but the lineup is never overcrowded. If you’d like a little direction on how to improve, there are plenty of instructors that offer coaching and video analysis for intermediate to advanced surfers.

Are you ready to dive fully into the surf life? Do you want to learn how to surf so that you can go home and show off your new skills at your local break? Consider a surf camp! Jaco has plenty of offerings that promise to get you in the water and surfing within a few days. Surf immersive programs are great for those that are more serious about learning. In addition to learning the basics of surfing, you’ll also learn more about the ocean, how to read swells, and the importance of surf etiquette.

Surfboards, fins, traction pads, leashed, wax, rashguards, you name it, Jaco’s got it. Whether you’re dreaming of a custom made board to bring home or simply want to rent a used board for the duration of your trip, there are plenty of surf shops along the main strip where you can find what you need. If you’re taking surf lessons, most instructors will provide you with wax and a rashguard, but these are also easily purchased in town.

It’s a bummer when you can’t paddle out because your muscles are sore from yesterday’s surf session. Thankfully, you can find relief with some yoga! Surf and yoga go together perfectly, like yin and yang. Many surf programs in Jaco pair these two sports to give participants an immersive experience. Surfing requires lots of full body strength, and if you’re not used to it you will feel exhausted! Yoga will help you relax those sore muscles so that you can get back in the water.

As we mentioned above, surfing is a sport that requires some level of fitness. While yoga can help relax sore muscles, cross-training is a great idea for strengthening the body. Jaco is a big fitness and sport town, so you’ll find plenty of opportunities for surf conditioning.