Heading Down to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Another travel tip:  Wondering where to eat if you are headed down to Jaco Beach or near by Herradura Beach?   Here are listed a few of the good places to eat.

Jaco Beach is famous for its black volcanic sandy beach and strong big waves that attract surfers from Costa Rica as well as all around the world.

Playa Herradura is famous for the gorgeous Los Suenos Marriott Hotel with its Spanish Architecture.  Also on the grounds of the hotel are Condominium of the same style architecture,  2 and 3 bedroom for rent and for sale

Jaco and Herradura Restaurants
Bagels
Bagelman’s
Bagels with spreads, bagel sandwiches
Free wifi!
On the main street, south of Pops
Breakfast
The Coffee Shop
On the main street across from Pops, co-located with Parrilla ada Argentina

Chinese
The Dragon on Bohio
·         Variety of Chinese appetizers and entrées; try the pot stickers and sesame shrimp.
·         Located on Calle Bohio, next to the Poseidon Hotel.  From the main street, turn onto Calle Bohio toward the ocean.

Chicken and Ribs
Pollo Parrillero
·         Best chicken and ribs in town!
·          They offer both fire-roasted and fried chicken; the pork ribs are the best you’ll ever taste.   Their cole slaw (enselada repollo) is terrific as well.
·         Beach side of main street, at the corner of the street to the Oz Hotel

Diverse Menu
Lemon Zest
·         Very diverse menu of fish, lamb, beef, duck and other entrees somewhat unusual for Costa Rica.  South end of main street, on the second floor

Los Amigos
On the main street in the center of Jaco, at intersection with Pops
Wraps, burritos, steaks, Thai, smoothies, salads, burgers
2643.2961
Middle of Jaco on main street, across from Pop’s

Pacific Bistro
Located across the street from the Funky Monkey. This restaurant is owned and run by Chef Kevin Green who works solo in the kitchen. His limited menu has an Asian and Latin infused flavor and the food is top notch.   Must try.

Wish Bone
·         One of the most popular restaurants in the area, offering a very diverse menu from brick oven pizza to enchiladas, burritos and pitas. Their salads are famous as well.  Portions here are large, and the service is exceptional.  We suggest the mahi mahi pita, pad Thai bowl, seared tuna salad, pizza, or anything on the right side of the menu under Mexican type dishes. Bring your appetite as the portions are very generous.
·         Located in the center of Jaco on the main street

Mexican
Jaco Taco
·         Huge portions of American-style Mexican food plus traditional dishes
·         Near the Best Western on the main street of Jaco

Pizza
El Picaro Pizza
On the main streeet, next to Mexican Joe’s Internet Café
Delivery service
2643.1147
Pizzeria Bocha
Located 10 minutes south of Jaco on Playa Hermosa
Lunch and dinner delivery to Jaco
2643.3696

Seafood
El Pelicano
Located on Herradura Beach.  The menu is extensive and the food and presentation are terrific. Try their coffee and desserts, too.  Drive down the same road as if you were going to Los Sueños Resort & Marina.  Drive past the Los Sueños entrance about ½ mile and you’ll dead end at the beach. Make a left and it is the 3rd Restaurant on your left.
Hicaco
·         Famous for its all-you-care-to-eat lobster and seafood festival every Wednesday night from 6:00pm- 10:00pm for one price, including beverages and dessert.
Located on the ocean in Jaco, south of Vista Mar and north of Vista Las Palmas
Menu includes mahi mahi, tuna, steak, pork, salads, pasta and soups
2643.3226

Soda
Soda Jaco Tipico
·         Good local cuisine served cafeteria style.  You point at what you want, they put it on a plate and you pay at the end of the line.  Good and cheap food.
·         From the main street in Jaco, turn onto the street between Pops and Los Amigos and drive to and then cross over the costanera highway.  The soda is right there.

Soda Marea Alta
This is the best Tico food around.  Located at the south end of the Jaco main street, across the street from the Platinum Gymnasium that you’ll see on the second floor. Order the mixed ceviche’ appetizer.  The two main courses we suggest you try are the Corvina Marea Alta, which is a thin sea bass filet smothered in a white cream hearts of palm and shrimp sauce.  It is incredible and cheap!  Second, the filet mignon.  A large tender filet Mignon, bacon wrapped and smothered in homemade brown gravy.  Incredible!

Steak
Parrilla ada Argentina
·         Imported Argentine and U.S. beef cooked over a wood-burning grill.
·         Located on Jaco’s main street, across from Los Amigos

Sushi
Tsunami Sushi
·         The best sushi around. Good prices, good portions and always fresh. Located in Jaco central, second floor of the Galleon shopping center.

French-African-Asian
Pili Pili
·         Modern fusion cooking from a French chef who has lived in Africa and Asia! Bruno works solo in the kitchen to create some of the best meals on the Pacific Coast.
·         Located south of Pops on the beach side of Main Street, second floor
·         Reservations recommended; 2643.5535 or 8995.4936; BYOB

Bars & Lounges
Ganesha
On north end of Jaco, on the beach, above Corpus Gym
South Beach Miami-style open-air lounge with chill out and house music
2643.3916

Bohio Bar & Restaurant
·         Great view, open air, and great food and drinks and a full liquor bar.  To get there turn left or right off Main Street where you see the blue sign that says “Planet Food.”  Just take the street to the end and you’ll see Bohio on your left; it’s right on Jaco beach.

Monkey Bar
·         Located on the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Jungle Bar
·         A favorite of tourists and Costa Ricans of all ages!  Fun, safe atmosphere.  Pool tables, dance floor and two bar areas.  On the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Le Loft
·         Opened in November 2008 by the owners of Prive’ in San Jose.  Located in the red building across the street from Los Amigos and Pops.

Plankton
·         Fun bar with a great mix of people; videos and a DJ.  On the main street in El Galeon.

Restaurant Jaco Rustica, Jaco Beach Costa Rica

If you are visiting  Jaco Beach, Costa Rica and want to have a great typico Costa Rican meal then go to Restaurant Jaco Rustico .  Its located about 100 meters from the beach.  Directions:  Heading south-If you are on the main street which goes thru Jaco ( Jaco is a very small town and there is only one main street passing thru it)  Look for Mas Por Menus grocery store on  your left,  then go 100 meters south (straight) then turn right and immediately on your left is Restaurant Jaco Rustica.  Next door to the very upscale beach front restaurant El Hicaco.

The atmosphere is open air with lots ocean breeze.  The food is served buffet style and for $5.00 you get your pick of one meat, 3 vegetables, salad, and a natural drink.  The food is delicious! I was there just last week with Xinia and Rolando, two of my Costa Rican friends.  And we really enjoyed each dish and highly recommend the restaurant for the great taste of the food and the EXCELLENT  price.

We had spent an hour exploring the lovely dark sand beach with its  magnificient waves.  Then  we sat down under a palm tree right in front of the ocean and breathed the fresh air and smell of the ocean.

Jaco Beach is only 2 hours by car from Alajuela where we were staying, and the drive is spectacular passing thru mountains and valleys with coffee growing along the edge of the high cliffs.

If you are staying in San Jose, Escazu, or Santa Ana (western suburbs of San Jose) you can take the new toll road from Santa Ana to Atenas and you will get to Jaco Beach in approximately 1.5  hours or less.

Hicaco- A Great Gourmet Restaurant in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

If you are into gourmet food and are in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica then "Hicaco" the Seafood Place is for you. Jaco is a sleepy laid back little beach town but recently has acquired three high rise condo complexes, changing the landscape into something quiet different.  Also the Hotel Marriott Los Suenos located only a few miles away brings upscale clients who appreciate and are willing to pay for the gourmet food offered at "Hicaco"  Every Wednesday night is a special night when the Lobster Fest is presented.  It's  a buffet where you can eat and drink all you want:  salads, ceviche, sushi, lobster, jumbo shrimp, chicken, pork ribs,  and many fabulous deserts.  Also your choice of wines and national liquors come with the "Lobster Fest" The price is $70.00 per person and reservations are requested.  The wide selections of wines are from  Chili, Argentina, United States, France, and  Spain.  French champagne is also offered

I must not forget to mention the open air restaurant sits right on the beach where you can hear the splash of the waves and feel the warm ocean breezes. To find "Hicaco"  it's  easy since Jaco is a very small town.  There is one main street which passes thru and   when you see the Mas por Menus grocery store continue 1 block south and then turn right.  Continue a short block and Hicaco is on your left-  in front of the ocean

The selections and  price ranges are:   Appetizers  $8-$10    Main courses $12-$32

Salads $7-$10   Pasta and Rice dishes are also offered-- around $10

Deserts $8-$10   and wine by the glass  $8    Hicaco is open daily from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.   Truly a unique dining experience in front of the Pacific Ocean, warm breezes, with the  sound of the waves washing upon the sand.   Above photo is Xinia and Rolando enjoying a glass of wine, listening to the waves washing upon the black volcanic beach  at Hicaco restaurant.

Please visit Hicaco's web page  www.elhicaco.net