15 Things to Do BetweenJacó and Manuel Antonio

01

Surf, or Take Lessons with a Local Legend

The stretch of coastline between Jacó and Manuel Antonio is one of the great surf corridors in Central America, with waves to suit every level. If you've never surfed before, Jacó is the ideal place to start. Our own Bruno — who knows these waters as well as anyone — gives lessons at the south end of Jacó beach, where the waves are mellow and perfectly suited for beginners. Boards are available to rent right there too, so if you catch the bug after your lesson (and many people do), you can head back out the next day on your own. Our advice: put surfing early in your itinerary — it has a way of taking over the rest of your trip, and you'll want the extra days.

From Jacó, the coast opens up into progressively more serious surf territory. Playa Hermosa, just to the south, is one of the most consistent breaks in Costa Rica — four miles of black sand and shifting peaks that keep intermediate and advanced surfers busy year-round. The Esterillos beaches — Oeste, Centro, and Este — sit roughly halfway down the corridor and are a well-kept secret among surfers in the know, offering everything from mellow longboard waves to powerful beach break wedges, all with far fewer crowds. And Playa Bejuco itself, right at your doorstep, is a hollow, south-facing break with a rivermouth sandbar at the eastern end that can deliver empty, photogenic barrels on the right swell. Ask Bruno — he'll make sure you're in the right spot for your level.

02

Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

No trip to this part of Costa Rica is complete without at least one day in Manuel Antonio National Park — one of the most biodiverse and beautiful parks in the country. White-sand beaches, crystalline water, and rainforest trails where sloths drape themselves over branches and squirrel monkeys scamper overhead. The park hosts three of Costa Rica's four monkey species, plus coatis, agoutis, toucans, and hundreds of bird species.

Go early — the park opens at 7 AM and can get crowded during holidays and high season. A guide isn't required, but having one dramatically increases your wildlife sightings; they spot things you'd walk right past. We know a couple of excellent local guides and are happy to make a personal recommendation. Note that the park is closed on Tuesdays.

03

Hike the Rainmaker Conservation Park

One of our favorite things to do in the area, and one that many visitors overlook entirely. The Rainmaker Conservation Park, located just outside Quepos, is a privately protected biological reserve containing some of the last primary rainforest on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast. About 80% of the park is old-growth forest, which makes the biodiversity here exceptional — the reserve is home to roughly half of all plant and animal species found in Costa Rica, including poison dart frogs, blue morpho butterflies, sloths, toucans, and the endangered Central American squirrel monkey.

The trail system winds for about 2.5 km through the forest alongside the Río Seco, climbing to a ridge with sweeping views before dropping back down through the canyon to the river below. The highlight is the canopy bridge system: six suspension bridges spanning 250 meters, attached to massive hardwood trees, putting you high above the forest floor in the heart of the canopy. After the bridges, the trail leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole — the perfect cool-off after a humid jungle hike. No reservation or guide is needed for a self-guided daytime visit, and it's entirely possible to have the trails to yourself even in peak season. That said, the guided night tour is a completely different experience — the forest comes alive after dark with frogs, insects, and nocturnal creatures that are invisible during the day.

04

Cruise to Isla Tortuga

One of the most memorable full-day excursions in the region, the catamaran cruise to Isla Tortuga is the kind of day that stays with you long after you've returned home. Departing from Los Sueños Marina — just a short drive from Playa Bejuco — you'll board a spacious, air-conditioned catamaran and cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya to this uninhabited island with white-sand beaches and crystal-clear water. A light breakfast of fruit, muffins, and coffee is served on board during the scenic 45-minute crossing.

Once on the island, the day is yours. Snorkel through tropical fish-filled waters with all equipment provided, take a banana boat ride, hike the nature trail to a viewpoint overlooking the Pacific, or simply settle into a beach chair under an umbrella with a rum punch in hand. A full buffet lunch is served on the island, with margaritas, rum punch, and soft drinks flowing throughout the day. It's a full day of pure tropical bliss and one of the most popular excursions we arrange for our guests.

05

Explore the Mangroves on the Monkey Tour

The Isla Damas mangrove estuary, accessible from the Quepos area, is one of the most serene wildlife experiences on the Central Pacific coast. Kayak through the canals, or glide along in a covered boat, as mangrove roots part around you and white-faced capuchin monkeys, herons, crabs, and kingfishers appear around every bend. It's often called the "monkey tour" by locals, and for good reason — the monkeys tend to put on a show.

06

Take on the 10-in-1 Waterfall Adventure

If you're looking for the single most action-packed day possible in the region, this is it. Set in 64 acres of primary rainforest above the Río Damitas, just outside Manuel Antonio, this legendary tour packs ten distinct jungle activities into one extraordinary full day. Your adventure begins with a 4x4 ride deep into the jungle — itself part of the experience — before the action kicks off with a via ferrata climb up the canyon wall, followed by a Tarzan swing, multiple rappels, zip lines through the canopy, canyoning through waterfalls, and a free-fall drop from a zip line directly into a pristine river pool. Breakfast and a traditional Costa Rican lunch are included, and knowledgeable guides keep the energy high throughout. Guests consistently call it the highlight of their entire Costa Rica trip.

07

Go White-Water Rafting

The same outfitter behind the 10-in-1 adventure also runs excellent white-water rafting trips down the Savegre River — a beautiful, jungle-lined river with Class II and III rapids that are thrilling without being intimidating, making it a great option for families and first-timers as well as more experienced paddlers. The scenery along the river is spectacular, guides are knowledgeable and fun, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch is included. A wonderful full-day adventure that feels a world away from the beach.

08

Zip-Line at a Private 850-Acre Reserve

Just 15 minutes north of Villa Los Laureles, tucked into a lush river valley, sits one of the most impressive adventure parks in the region. Set within an 850-acre private reserve of waterfalls and primary rainforest, the canopy tour here features eight zip-line cables including one of the longest in Central America — stretching over 600 meters and delivering more than a full minute of flight time high above the jungle, with views of the forest canopy, river valleys, and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

The park also offers ATV tours, horseback riding through primary rainforest, waterfall rappelling, and combo packages that let you combine several activities into one full day of adventure. It's an extraordinary property and one we wholeheartedly recommend.

09

ATV Through the Mountains

For those who prefer their adventure on four wheels, guided ATV tours operate just 15 minutes north of Villa Los Laureles and take you deep into the mountains above the Costanera. You'll wind through jungle trails, cross rivers, and pass through small rural communities where life looks nothing like the tourist strip on the coast below. The higher you climb, the better the views — panoramic Pacific vistas stretching all the way to the Nicoya Peninsula. Most tours include a stop at a waterfall for a swim and a meal at a mountain restaurant with scenery to match. Tours range from two hours to a full day and suit most experience levels.

10

Horseback Ride on Playa Bejuco at Sunset

You don't need to go far for this one — the beach is right across the street. Our former caretaker, who knows this stretch of coast better than almost anyone, leads horseback riding tours along Playa Bejuco as the sun sets over the Pacific. It's a slow, golden hour that feels completely removed from ordinary life — warm light, the sound of waves, the unhurried rhythm of a horse on dark sand. One of those experiences guests talk about for years after they've left. We'll connect you with him personally.

11

Go Sportfishing

The Central Pacific coast is one of Costa Rica's premier sportfishing destinations, with excellent offshore action for marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dorado. Los Sueños Marina in Herradura — one of the largest and most prestigious marinas in Central America — is the main departure point for the northern end of the corridor, with an impressive fleet of charter boats and world-class facilities. Quepos and Marina Pez Vela serve the southern end equally well. Half-day and full-day charters are available at both, and the fishing here is genuinely world-class.

12

Hike to a Waterfall

The mountains rising steeply from the Costanera hide some spectacular waterfalls within surprisingly easy reach of the coast. Several guided waterfall hikes operate in the area, ranging from easy walks to more adventurous routes that involve river crossings and jungle scrambles — often ending with a refreshing swim in a natural pool at the base of the falls. A perfect half-day escape from the beach.

13

Spot Wildlife Without Leaving the Property

One of the unexpected joys of staying in Playa Bejuco is the wildlife that finds you. Villa Los Laureles sits within a private nature reserve, and the mornings bring a reliable parade of squirrel monkeys, white-faced capuchins, toucans, and scarlet macaws through the canopy. You don't need to go anywhere — just sit on your villa terrace with a coffee and wait.

14

Watch the Sunset Over the Pacific

The sunsets along this stretch of coast are extraordinary — the kind that stop conversations mid-sentence. Playa Bejuco, Playa Esterillos, and Playa Hermosa all face southwest, giving you an unobstructed horizon as the sky turns pink, orange, and gold. Best enjoyed with a cold Imperial in hand.

15

Do Absolutely Nothing

This may be the most underrated activity of all. The stretch between Jacó and Manuel Antonio — and Playa Bejuco in particular — moves at a different pace than the tourist centers to the north and south. The beach is quiet, the air smells of salt and jungle, and the days have a way of expanding. Sometimes the best thing to do in Costa Rica is nothing at all.