Regions of Costa Rica
3 Hotels in and near Jaco
Jaco is the closest big beach town to San José, and these three hotels offer quieter alternatives to its busy main street: DoceLunas in jungle gardens at the edge of town, Villa Caletas on a forested headland near Playa Herradura, and Club del Mar on the beach at Jaco's quiet south end. All three were still taking bookings when we checked in November 2026.
Update, November 2026: We checked all three hotels again. All were still taking bookings. DoceLunas and Club del Mar no longer have working websites of their own, so we've linked to their listings instead. These are three hotels we've written about since 2012, in no particular order; we don't rank hotels.
Jaco, on the Central Pacific coast, is about 1.5 hours' drive from San José, which makes it the easiest beach escape from the capital. The town itself is busy, with surf shops, bars and high-rise condos along the main street. If you'd rather sleep somewhere quieter, these three hotels sit on the edges of town or just north of it.
DoceLunas
DoceLunas is a 20-room garden hotel inland from the main road, at the foot of a forested hill on the edge of Jaco. Instead of a beach view you get a quiet, green setting with lots of birds, a pool and an on-site restaurant. It has long hosted yoga retreats and has a spa. Its own website no longer loads, but it's listed on major booking sites with recent guest reviews. More in our DoceLunas profile.
Hotel Villa Caletas
Villa Caletas sits high on a forested headland above the ocean, about 350 meters (1,150 feet) up, a short drive north of Jaco near Playa Herradura. It's known for its sunset views, and its Anfiteatro bar and restaurant is a popular place to watch them. The hotel's site lists an infinity pool, a spa, a fitness room, yoga, two restaurants and a small private beach, Playa Caletas, below the hotel. Website: hotelvillacaletas.com.
Hotel Club del Mar
Club del Mar is a beachfront hotel and condominium complex at the quiet south end of Jaco Beach, away from the busy center. Guests choose between ocean-view hotel rooms and one- or two-bedroom condos with full kitchens. There's a large pool by the beach, a restaurant, a spa and surf lessons for all levels. Its old website no longer works; it's bookable through travel agents and booking sites.
Things to do around Jaco
- Surf. Jaco's beach break is a popular place to learn, with plenty of surf schools; more experienced surfers head to Playa Hermosa just south of town. Our yoga and surf guide covers combining the two.
- Wildlife. Carara National Park, about 30 minutes north, is known for scarlet macaws and crocodiles seen from the nearby Tárcoles River bridge.
- Yoga. Jaco has several studios and drop-in classes. For retreat centers in the region and elsewhere, see our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica and our article on the Central Pacific.
Check each hotel for current rates and availability.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Jaco from San José?
About 1.5 hours by car on the Route 27 highway, depending on traffic. It's the closest major beach town to the capital.
Are these hotels still open?
Yes. When we checked in November 2026, DoceLunas, Villa Caletas and Club del Mar were all taking bookings.
Is Jaco good for yoga?
Jaco has drop-in studios and DoceLunas has long hosted yoga retreats, but most of Costa Rica's dedicated yoga retreat centers are farther from the city, on the Nicoya Peninsula and the south Pacific coast.
Is Jaco good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Its sandy beach break is a popular place to learn, with many surf schools in town.
[Updated on: 4 November 2026]
