Your stay — Vacacionando
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The Property — Vacacionando
Vacacionando is a straightforward three-star hotel on Jacó’s main strip, Avenida Pastor Díaz. The lobby is bright and tiled, with a small reception desk and a couple of wicker chairs – nothing flashy, but it feels clean and efficient. Its main draw is the large pool and sun terrace out back, which gives it a quiet, family-friendly edge over busier beachfront places. Suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for beach days and nightlife within walking distance.
Chronicles of Jacó
Jacó began as a small fishing village and grew rapidly after the 1970s when the new Costanera Sur highway connected it to San José. Construction boomed in the 1990s, turning it into Costa Rica’s most accessible Pacific beach town, dominated by low-rise hotels, bars and surf shops. Its architecture is a hodgepodge of concrete block buildings with corrugated roofs, some painted in bright Caribbean colours, but none historically significant. Today, Jacó is a pragmatic, high-energy hub for package tourists, surfers and expats, with a mix of tico sodas, chain restaurants and a lively casino strip.
Best Time to Visit
Full Jacó guide →Best months
December to April: the dry season, with clear skies and calm seas, making it ideal for sunbathing and surfing; crowds are moderate outside Christmas and Easter.
Peak / festival surge
Easter week (Semana Santa) and Christmas–New Year: hotels often jack up rates by 50-100%, and the town fills with Costa Rican families and foreign tourists; local fiestas and beach mass drive visitor numbers.
Budget shoulder season
May and November: the green months see fewer tourists, hotel discounts of 20-30%, and still plenty of sun in the mornings; easterly trade winds keep humidity bearable.
Weather & packing
June is the start of the rainy season, so expect heavy downpours usually in the late afternoon. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-drying sandals – you’ll use both daily.
Live City Briefing — Jacó
- Construction on the new Jacó sewerage plant has caused sporadic road closures on Avenida Pastor Díaz throughout 2025, with completion expected in late 2026 – check for detours near the hotel.
- The popular Sunday farmers’ market (Feria del Agricultor) has moved to the stadium parking lot on Calle Ancha, a five-minute walk from Vacacionando, running 6 a.m. to noon.
- Sea turtle nesting season peaks in June and July along nearby Playa Hermosa, about 5 km south; night tours are available but often require advance booking due to limited permits.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Vacacionando, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (second floor) facing the rear garden or the inland side. These rooms avoid street noise from Calle Jacó and get less foot traffic from the stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the front (Calle Jacó side) and rooms near the stairs or parking area. Ground-floor front rooms suffer street noise and car activity; stairs amplify footsteps and luggage drag.
Best views
Rooms at the rear (inland side) on the second floor overlook the garden or neighbouring yards, with some possible partial mountain views. Front rooms see Calle Jacó, which is a busy road with traffic, bars, and shops.
Quietest floors
Second floor is the quietest because it's above ground-level commotion and doesn't abut the parking lot directly.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle Jacó is the main street through town, carrying local traffic, motorbikes, and pedestrian noise until late evening. Parking area adds car doors and engine sounds at peak times.
Insider tips
Park early: on-site free parking has only 10 spaces. If full, use the public lot 100m south ($5/night). For WiFi, the free 5 Mbps works for basic browsing but video calls will struggle; pay $5/day for 20 Mbps if you need reliable streaming or work calls. Check stairs before booking: no lift, so travel light or request ground floor if you have mobility issues.
- 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 — Vacacionando
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) in rooms and public areas; paid upgrade to 20 Mbps for $5 USD per day
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
Complimentary digital access to La Nación via hotel tablet in lobby; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00; late check-out until 13:00 for $30 USD, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at reception for same-day arrivals and departures
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, no ramp, and no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
On-site parking for 10 cars, free first-come-first-served; overflow at public lot 100m south ($5 USD per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rate; no additional city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; hold of $50 USD on credit card at check-in for incidentals
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 Vacacionando
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Vacacionando?
Request a room on the top floor (second floor) facing the rear garden or the inland side. These rooms avoid street noise from Calle Jacó and get less foot traffic from the stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Vacacionando?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the front (Calle Jacó side) and rooms near the stairs or parking area. Ground-floor front rooms suffer street noise and car activity; stairs amplify footsteps and luggage drag.
Is Vacacionando noisy?
Calle Jacó is the main street through town, carrying local traffic, motorbikes, and pedestrian noise until late evening. Parking area adds car doors and engine sounds at peak times.
Which rooms have the best views at Vacacionando?
Rooms at the rear (inland side) on the second floor overlook the garden or neighbouring yards, with some possible partial mountain views. Front rooms see Calle Jacó, which is a busy road with traffic, bars, and shops.
What are insider tips for staying at Vacacionando?
Park early: on-site free parking has only 10 spaces. If full, use the public lot 100m south ($5/night). For WiFi, the free 5 Mbps works for basic browsing but video calls will struggle; pay $5/day for 20 Mbps if you need reliable streaming or work calls. Check stairs before booking: no lift, so travel light or request ground floor if you have mobility issues.
What time is check-in at Vacacionando?
Check-in at Vacacionando is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Vacacionando have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) in rooms and public areas; paid upgrade to 20 Mbps for $5 USD per day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Vacacionando?
13% VAT included in rate; no additional city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Vacacionando?
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 Vacacionando?
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, with clear skies and calm seas, making it ideal for sunbathing and surfing; crowds are moderate outside Christmas and Easter.
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.