Santa Teresa is a small and fast developing town in the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica. Similar to many other coastal villages which are in the region of Nicoya Peninsula, this beach village started out as an off the map fishing village until some low budget tourists came across it. As the number of tourists visiting this place grew over the years, the town
Whether you are a landlubber or a wave worshipper, like adventures or calm places, Jaco is the place to be. Not more than two hours from San Jose, this coastal city is located in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. It is located by the Pacific Ocean and so is a perfect beach town. It is strategically located between several mountains and it also encompasses the lovely beaches of Hermosa, Jaco and Herradura. It also has the Carara National park about 15 Km north of it. The variety of wildlife present here is a fitting sight with its surroundings. Once not more than a sleepy beach town, today this place attracts all types of tourists to visit.
Best Possible Time to Visit
If you were planning to visit during the months of September and October, make sure you cancel your trip as these are the rainiest months and there is no guarantee that you will not get stranded someplace. January through April is the driest time and is also the most crowded time of the year. Rainfall is scanty during these months and mostly during the evenings. Walking is the most common and cheapest form of transport in Jaco, but you can rent bikes or scooters in the town.
Lacklustre yet Challenging
The beaches of Jaco are not extremely beautiful like the rest of Costa Rica, but people come here to enjoy the surf. The surf here mainly attracts learned and experience swimmers as it poses a challenge to them. The waves are unpredictable and often dangerous and are generally unsafe for swimmers. Most surfers head on down to Playa Hermosa which is about six miles south of this city. Here, the waves are extremely large and consistent. Playa Hermosa also hosts an international convention for surfers every year. The other place to visit is the Playa Herradura, which is located about four miles north Jaco.
Something Smells Fishy
The recent years has seen Jaco grow into a populous place and this makes it an extremely loud place during the day times. The streets are littered with pubs and discos and casinos and nightclubs populate the street at night. Apart from surfing the nightlife also presents a variety of options. If you want to enjoy the real Jaco, you can get yourself a fishing rod and find yourself a nice, mellow place to lay back and catch some fish. The beaches which are present to the north of Jaco and to its south are more scenic and provide a better ambience for swimmers.
Scarlet Macaws or Scaly Crocs?
The tourists who love ecology should definitely try out the fun filled activities like horseback riding, hiking and canopy tours. You can hike the Carara
This is an ideal spot for a vacation where you can experience the two extremes of harmony and ecstasy at the same time.
The beautiful beach of Playa Hermosa is located in the Central Pacific. It is situated close to the city of Jaco and is probably one of the very few beaches in that area where you can experience the thrill of surfing coupled with the solace of its nightlife. The beach itself is a lovely white sand beach which has one of the biggest surfs in the entire of Costa Rica. The climate in Playa Hermosa is similar to all other places in the Central Pacific which means heavy showers in the month of September and October. The best time to visit this place is during January through April as these are the driest months.
Surf and Enjoy
Best known for its surfs, this beach town provides a good ambience for budding young swimmers and also experienced surfers. Playa Hermosa has many stalls where you can purchase the necessary equipment for affordable prices. It also has many surf schools for which you can book classes in advance. These schools have patient teachers who teach you the basic before moving on to actual surfs. You can also get yourself photographed by a professional photograph when you are surfing. Here you can talk freely with the locals, among whom you will definitely find many qualified surfers. They will be more than willing to give you a few quick pointers.
Water Water Everywhere
Other water borne activities in this area involve fishing and snorkelling. Here you can hire your own boats and get a local fisherman to take you to the middle of the waters where there are many deep sea fish just waiting to be caught. The mahi-mahi, the yellow fin tuna, the Wahoo and the Red Snapper are among a few fish that you will definitely find there. When Snorkelling, make sure you choose good equipment. The clear water is home to an assortment of aquatic life. You are guaranteed to see puffer fish, eels, sting rays and many more exotic animals. There is also a possibility to see dolphins and whales. River rafting is another such activity that you can enjoy here. The rivers here are friendly and great for rafting purposes. Be on the lookout for howler monkeys and iguanas which are on the canopy above and you can also herons on the shoreline.
On a Different Note
Activities that are meant for landlubbers include horseback riding, bird watching and canopy tours. The entire of Costa Rica has a rich cowboy culture which dates back to the arrival of the Spanish in these parts. Eco enthusiasts can enjoy the different types of birds that inhabit these parts. You can zip through the forests while looking down at the lush vegetation and the beautiful animal life. All first time visitors must take a ride on the Canopy. You can also go for renting all terrain vehicles which are useful to go in for cross country hikes.
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Another beautiful beach present in the Pacific Coast, Playa Esterillos is considered a paradise by surfers from all over the world. It is accessible from many parts of Costa Rica. It has plenty of activities that provide enough wholesome entertainment and brings the best even out of a party pooper. The best time to enjoy this place is after the sun sets. Don
