Your stay — Hotel Doce Lunas
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The Property — Hotel Doce Lunas
Hotel Doce Lunas sits a block back from Jacó's main strip, trading beachfront noise for a quiet, leafy courtyard with a decent pool. The lobby feels like a laid-back surf lodge: tiled floors, wooden ceiling fans, a small bar, and staff who wave hello. It's a solid budget-to-mid option for travellers who want a clean room, free parking, and easy walk to both the beach and town's bars. Best suited to couples or solo adventurers, not those expecting luxury.
Chronicles of Jacó
Jacó started as a small fishing village and really took off in the 1970s when the coastal highway opened, drawing surfers and package tourists. Development has been rapid ever since, with concrete hotels and souvenir shops lining Avenida Pastor Díaz. The town lacks the colonial charm of Costa Rica's interior but makes up for it with a practical, no-nonsense layout. Today it's known as a busy surf-and-party destination, with a transient, international crowd filling its hostels and pizza joints.
Best Time to Visit
Full Jacó guide →Best months
December to April: the dry season delivers reliably sunny days and calmer seas, with fewer crowds than the peak holiday period.
Peak / festival surge
January, February and Easter week. Prices at Hotel Doce Lunas can double or sell out months ahead. The main draws are Christmas, New Year, Semana Santa and US spring break beach parties.
Budget shoulder season
Late November and early December, or May: wet season starts but mornings are often clear, rooms drop 20-30%, and the beach is quieter.
Weather & packing
Jacó has a microclimate that is often hotter and more humid than the Nicoya Peninsula to the north, with sudden afternoon downpours even in the green season. Pack a light rain jacket or umbrella, and always have reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard for the sun.
Live City Briefing — Jacó
- A new traffic light at the entrance to town (Calle Cocal intersection) has improved crossing the Costanera highway but causes delays at rush hour.
- Several new craft breweries and cocktail bars have opened along the main strip in 2025-26, including a popular one near the soccer field.
- The seasonal turtle nesting patrols on Playa Hermosa (15 mins south) are active in July, with night tours offered by local guides — ask at the hotel for current contact numbers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Doce Lunas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the pool or rear garden. These are above street level, reducing road noise from 1a Entrada Quebrada Seca, and the pool area is quieter at night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. They catch direct traffic noise from the main entrance road and passers-by. Also skip rooms near the reception or bar (likely at the front) as they get staff and guest chatter into the evening.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear offer views of the pool and tropical garden, with some green beyond. Street-side rooms look onto a main road and neighbouring buildings — less appealing.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest — no lift noise above you, and elevated enough to escape street rumble. Third floor may also be calm but check if there's a roof terrace or water tank above.
🔊 Noise notes
Jacó is a central Pacific town with lively traffic on 1a Entrada Quebrada Seca, especially motorcycles and tour vans during day. Bars and clubs nearby can carry music into late hours, so a rear-facing room is essential for sleep.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing second-floor room, as these are limited. 2. If driving, use the on-site parking (most 3-star hotels here have a small lot) and ask for a space away from the street for less noise when leaving at dawn.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Doce Lunas
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed varies around 15 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. No login constraints.
No lift. Two-storey property; rooms upstairs only via stairs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop available. Late check-out $30 USD fee until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free storage at reception for early arrivals / late departures.
No step-free access; entrance has two steps. Ground-floor rooms available but not wheelchair-accessible. No adapted bathrooms.
Free on-site parking (uncovered, first-come, first-served). No valet. Nearest public parking at Jacó central lots (~1 km) costs about $5 USD/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rate; no separate city tax.
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a $100 USD credit card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción de María (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Jacó Walk — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Farmacia Galeno - Jacó — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Super La Esquina — 463 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Change money at banks or authorised exchange offices (casa de cambio) in town for the best rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureau kiosks which give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in larger shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common, but smaller stalls and taxis often expect cash.
Restaurants usually include 10% service charge (servicio); extra tip optional but appreciated. Taxis don't expect a tip, but rounding up is fine. Hotel staff: expect $1–2 per bag or per day for cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of black coffee at a local soda (simple eatery) costs about 500–800 CRC ($0.80–$1.30).
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad and a meat) from a soda costs around 3,000–5,000 CRC ($5–$8).
A main dish at a local restaurant (like a pork chop or grilled fish) runs 5,000–8,000 CRC ($8–$13).
Look for sodas or small carts along Avenida Central and around the main bus terminal; empanadas, churros and grilled corn are common.
Budget supermarket chains: Maxi Pali and Más x Menos are the main ones here.
Cheap clothing can be found at the Paseo de los Turistas market stalls or second-hand shops (ropa americana) near the centre.
The cheapest way around town is walking; for longer trips, take local buses (e.g., Quepos route) costing about 500–700 CRC per ride. From Juan Santamaría Airport, take the direct Jacó bus from Alajuela (around 2,000–3,000 CRC, $3–$5) rather than a shuttle.
Eat at sodas rather than tourist-focused restaurants; always ask the price before buying from street stalls; buy bottled water and snacks at a supermarket, not at hotels or souvenir shops.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Jacó, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Doce Lunas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Farmacia Galeno - Jacó — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jacó VIP (main road) → Jacó beach or Playa Hermosa
💡 The 'ruta' bus is cheap but slow — fine for Playa Hermosa. For short trips, walk or use a bike rental ($10/day). The bus stops right outside the hotel on the coastal road.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) → Jacó VIP Hotel
💡 Book with a local operator like Interbus or RideCR (about $120) for fixed rates. Don't take unmarked taxis at the airport — use official orange taxis or a pre-arranged driver.
San José (Coca-Cola bus terminal or 7-10 Av. 9-10 Calle) → Jacó (bus stop near Jacó VIP, main road)
💡 From SJO airport take a taxi (not Uber, they're banned) to the San José terminal. Buses leave hourly, cost about $2.50. It's scenic but bumpy — bring earplugs. The stop is a 5-min walk from the hotel.
Jacó VIP Hotel → Jacó beach/restaurants/Herradura
💡 Fares are fixed by zone — $3 to beach, $5 to Herradura. Use 'taxi pirata' (unlicensed) only if the driver's a known local. Ask at hotel for recommended drivers.
About Jacó
Wikipedia ↗
Jacó (Spanish pronunciation: [xa'ko]) is a district of the Garabito canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. Jacó has a black sand beach that is 4 km (2.5 mi) long and is popular among surfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Doce Lunas?
Request a room on the second floor facing the pool or rear garden. These are above street level, reducing road noise from 1a Entrada Quebrada Seca, and the pool area is quieter at night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Doce Lunas?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. They catch direct traffic noise from the main entrance road and passers-by. Also skip rooms near the reception or bar (likely at the front) as they get staff and guest chatter into the evening.
Is Hotel Doce Lunas noisy?
Jacó is a central Pacific town with lively traffic on 1a Entrada Quebrada Seca, especially motorcycles and tour vans during day. Bars and clubs nearby can carry music into late hours, so a rear-facing room is essential for sleep.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Doce Lunas?
Rooms facing the rear offer views of the pool and tropical garden, with some green beyond. Street-side rooms look onto a main road and neighbouring buildings — less appealing.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Doce Lunas?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a rear-facing second-floor room, as these are limited. 2. If driving, use the on-site parking (most 3-star hotels here have a small lot) and ask for a space away from the street for less noise when leaving at dawn.
What time is check-in at Hotel Doce Lunas?
Check-in at Hotel Doce Lunas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Doce Lunas have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed varies around 15 Mbps download, sufficient for streaming. No login constraints.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Doce Lunas?
13% VAT included in rate; no separate city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Doce Lunas?
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad and a meat) from a soda costs around 3,000–5,000 CRC ($5–$8).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Doce Lunas?
The cheapest way around town is walking; for longer trips, take local buses (e.g., Quepos route) costing about 500–700 CRC per ride. From Juan Santamaría Airport, take the direct Jacó bus from Alajuela (around 2,000–3,000 CRC, $3–$5) rather than a shuttle.
When is the best time to visit Jacó?
December to April: the dry season delivers reliably sunny days and calmer seas, with fewer crowds than the peak holiday period.
Top Attractions in Jacó
💡 Come at sunset for free entertainment: locals playing soccer on the sand or the occasional howler monkey in the trees.
💡 Go early (before 8am) for calmer water and fewer crowds. Surfboard rentals from $10/hour at nearby shops.
💡 No shade—bring a hat and plenty of water. Bus from centre costs about 500 colones ($1) each way.
💡 Stop by the roadside at any time—sunrise or late afternoon gives best lighting for photos. No entry fee, but pay attention to traffic.
💡 Parking costs 1000 colones ($2) from a local, but the trail entrance is free. Go during dry season (Dec–Apr) for clearer water.