Writing to recommend that you NOT travel here. Jaco, Costa Rica is a [--] hole. This place is so unbelievably hot - It is 95 degrees and 100 percent humidity. Got heatstroke yesterday and AC is broken (staying at the Best Western which is not worth it at all even though paid a very reasonable $80 a night - would not do it again). Hotel is like a cave, literally. The room is so dark and small and the bathrooms are dingy, dirty and worn. There are not enough hangers or space for clothes, though you should bring as little in the way of clothing as possible, the ice machine has been broken for four days, there is no refrigerator and the beds are horrible to sleep on. The sheets are so old they are see through and they don't look like they are regularly laundered. I have been dripping wet 100 percent of the time because of the heat here. Jaco is infested with drugs, prostitutes and thieves and its not safe to go out at night but it is so hot during the day that the only refuge available is in the [--]hotel room. But at least the wireless internet is working so the word can be spread. Oh and also, the pool is 85 degrees warm - like bath water and almost always FILLED with people. The pool also closes at 7pm so just when the temperature becomes somewhat bearable - you can no longer swim. Sitting by the beach is not an option either - it is too hot, there are no umbrellas to sit under nor shade trees and the ocean is also incredibly warm - not refreshing at all, more like taking a bath. But there are bigger issues with the beaches here. They are filthy and warnings are issued daily about the ocean being super dangerous to be in because of wicked rip tides. The tap water in the hotel doesn't get very cold nor does it get very hot. But while you shower it fluctuates like crazy. We had to take ice baths to get our core temperature down. And then the ice machine broke. Also the food is inedible in Jaco - absolutely terrible and the price of it is outrageous. The only exception is the hotel buffet breakfast. That is quite reasonable. Broke down finally to eat at Pizza Hut and the bill was $75 USA dollars for four people - no beers or cocktails, just sodas. Have never had such a horrible holiday. Since there is no way demand money and time back, a warning to others will have to suffice. It is so so so so hot here. Even wearing practically nothing and it is unbearably hot. One cannot believe how hot it is here, and it is not beautiful at all. It is just hot, dirty, poor and gross (was there a mention that it is unbearably hot?). This is probably not how the whole country is. Certainly this is like coming to some crappy rundown small town of California and having that be the California experience - but goodness people - do your homework before wasting away your precious holiday time and money. This place is a total joke - perhaps it is, perhaps it is an episode of candid camera and someone is going to pop out and tell us to smile, but I don't think so...speaking of cameras....DO NOT forget your camera if you decide to come here - and the ONLY place within 50 miles that sells cameras is ridiculously overpriced. 600 american dollars for a crap digital camera from fuji - yea, that is another thing, everything here is WAY overpriced. Beers are a minimum $2 each (for a can), the water (even bottled) has chlorine in it and is super expensive. Had a suitcase of food and water from our home country that has totally saved everyone from jumping off the hotel roof. A small can of bug spray is $10 and it doesn't work well - got bit up by mosquitoes - which are vicious here - bring excellent repellent and some itch spray for when it doesn't work. The cocktails they make at the bars here in Jaco and at the Best Western are terrible, the liquor is WAY overpriced and really crap quality. Even the trinkets they sell on the streets are right up there with the same price as the USA and the majority of the trinkets are worthless crap. The Best Western gift shop is total rip off - if you want to buy the crap trinkets then walk down the high street about half a mile and pay half the price for the same exact stuff.
If you must come here, though the highest recommendation here is to not, then you must at least follow this advice: If you are an AVID surfer and care only about catching the next wave, you will have a good time here so feel free to disregard my advice. If not, plan excursions everyday to get out of Jaco. Go on the tours, bite the bullet and spend the cash. Go on the canopy tour, go to Arenal Volcano (even though it is almost six hours each way - spend the night there and have a good time), go on the Crocodile tour, do a nature walk and stay at either the Marriot or Villa Caletas which are not right in Jaco but a quick cab ride away. You will not miss out on anything staying at these places because as mentioned before, Jaco is a filthy, hot town with not much to do other than sweat, get sunburned and spend tons of money on crap. While in Jaco, eat at Jaco Taco, go out at the Monkey Bar and beware of theives, prostitutes and drug dealers. Do not walk on the beach at night. Do not go to the Beetle Bar. Do not take drinks from anyone. Watch the bartender pour your drink and do not leave it anywhere. If for some reason you decide to use the services of a prostitute - beware they will drug you and take everything. Do not chat it up with anyone and have them lead you around a dark corner or ally - they will rob you or worse. Do not leave your belongings in your car EVER - they will get stolen! Do not keep a lot of cash on you or lots of credit cards, keep most everything hidden in your room. Take just one card and a small amount of cash with you when you go out in Jaco. Do not walk down side streets at night alone. Do get a massage or two at the Serenity Day Spa on the high street of Jaco (the one and only street with shops and restaurants). It is expensive though - plan to spend about $100 on a massage for 80 minutes but you won't regret it. Do bring (from your home country) a camera, batteries, sunscreen, bug spray, your own favourite foods and an adventurous spirit. This is going to be a very expensive holiday - but if you do not follow this advice it will be a waste of money. If you must come here to this god forsaken place, follow this advice and you may salvage some of your precious holiday time and money. (Written in Jaco during the "high season" - late March).
