Town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Getting around Jacó
How to get around Jacó
Jacó is walkable and flat; taxis and local buses cover Playa Hermosa and Herradura. From San José, buses and shuttles take 2 to 2.5 hours.
Ways to get around Jacó
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 2,500–6,000 CRC | Official taxis are red; insist on the meter or agree a fare |
| Local bus to Hermosa/Herradura | About 500–1,000 CRC | Frequent daytime buses along the highway |
| Bus from San José | About 3,000–4,000 CRC | About 2.5 hours from Terminal 7-10 |
| Bike rental | About 3,000–6,000 CRC a day | Flat roads in town |
Ride-hailing apps in Jacó
A 5 km ride costs about ₡3,000–6,000 ($6.6–13.1).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works around Jacó; drivers are limited late at night |
| DiDi | Occasionally available as a backup |
- Red taxis wait along the main strip; agree the fare. Apps work in town but are sparse after midnight.
Arriving in Jacó
Juan Santamaría International (SJO)
Shuttle $40–55, 1.5–2 hours; private transfer $80–100; public bus from San José takes about 2.5 hours.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: ATV and scooter rentals are common; traffic on the highway is heavy. Wear a helmet and check insurance.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for the length of your tourist stay; carry your original passport when driving.
- Onward travel in Costa Rica: Cheap public buses reach almost everywhere from San José but are slow. Shared shuttles, Sansa domestic flights and rental cars (4x4 in rainy season) are faster.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Jacó?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, DiDi.
What's the best way to get around Jacó?
Jacó is walkable and flat; taxis and local buses cover Playa Hermosa and Herradura. From San José, buses and shuttles take 2 to 2.5 hours.
How do I get from the airport to Jacó?
Shuttle $40–55, 1.5–2 hours; private transfer $80–100; public bus from San José takes about 2.5 hours.
Is Jacó walkable?
Very walkable.
More about Jacó
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Sources
- Interbus (shared shuttles)
- Sansa (domestic flights)
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- Juan Santamaría International Airport
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.