We get a lot of emails from out Contact Us page asking for information about hostels in Jaco and in San Jose. I often thought “why would anyone stay at a hostel in San Jose?” But it was your comments that explained it. The answer is many backpackers need to come back to San Jose the night before they are scheduled to depart and return home. This is a great reason because the bus system is usually good, but being Costa Rica there really is not consistent services. It is very wise to get to San Jose the night before you leave to avoid any hassles. We have heard about a few in SJO but not enought to write about them now. We will update the blog with a article about San Jose Costa Rica hostels when we get the information.

Here in Jaco there are a few choices for hostels but only one that this site will suggest. Prior to moving to Jaco we stayed at Hotel Haan and we did not like it. Now that we live here in Jaco we know all of the places to stay and eat at. What we always suggest is the Las Camas hostel. Honestly, we did not know the name of this hostel until we stopped by to talk to Edit the owner/manager. There is not sign on the hostel that says “Las Camas” but we never had any problem directing people to the location. Simple directions, the hostel is located in front of Kentucky Fried Chicken and everyone in Jaco knows where this place is. If you are coming in by bus to Jaco tell the driver to let you off at KFC but say it in Spanish. I have seen many times people getting off the bus at Mas por Menos only because a majority of the locals leave the bus at this stop. Travelers unsure of where to get off, usually get off at this stop and hike the rest of the way to the hostel. There is no need to do this, stay on the bus until you go over the bridge and then yell for the bus to “parada” the bus will stop in front of Subway fast food place and then the Las Camas hostel is less than a 100 yards on your left going in the direction of your arriving bus. more…

This is the first post of a long overdue promise of providing useful information about Jaco and the surrounding surf towns while you are here. We will begin to inform you about free internet cafes in Jaco, best places to eat in Jaco, best hotels in Jaco, and other information that you need while you are here in town.

Tipico Jaco, also known as “El Chocoaco”, is starting to be the buzz around Jaco. It is your own personal buffet. The restaurant is a nice set up outside and all open with nicely designed wooden tables. more…

Costa Rica has an amazing bus network that allows you to travel the country coast to coast for under $30. The bus system here is privately owned and each particular transit point is usually a seperate company. 

Despite the private ownership, they generally coordinate their schedules so if you arrive Libreria at 2pm from SJO, there ususally is a bus that will be ready to leave within the hour to your final destination. I will post an online bus schedule with the next few weeks so everyone will have an updated list.

While the the bus network is amazing, it is still used by the general population.  Usually each route has its daily passengers who are familiar with the driver and the other passengers as they travel to and from their destinations. Most of the people are friendly and generally leave you alone or will help you if you ask them questions. But there are passengers who use the bus to prey on tourists and other new passengers who are not familiar with the route. more…

Long before the hike in fuel prices and airlines charged alot money to travel with your surf boards. Arriving safely, then you had to get them to the beach intact whether you rented a car or caught the bus. Then you add the factor of lugging them around from baggage to rental car or bus, etc along with your clothes and crap. It is a big time hassle and for me has put a dent in the journey many times.

Living in Jaco, Costa Rica I no longer really need to worry about this adventure but HOLY COW for the people are visiting today the “extra fuel surcharges” for surf boards is INSANE!! I have been waiting to videotape Chuck Herwig who owns Chuck’s W.O.W. Surf here in Jaco to begin discussing travel tips for surfers. more…