I had not been to Jaco in a while, in fact, we wrote about how wild Jaco is and how I predicted that the desire for tourist bucks will change it.
Those that experienced Jaco years ago had warnings about the lawless of the town. Druggies, prostitution, pickpockets etc, pretty much ran it. I’m proud to say, my predictions is coming true. Jaco has changed. The last time I was there, old men with their bellies protruding from Hawaiian shirts with whores on their arms was a common occurrence. And high-rise cranes littered the sky in development. Not anymore.
The new mayor is taking steps into cleaning up the town and now Jaco has a height limit on new construction and development is a new central park that’s about completed. The adult businesses like the Beatle Bar, Monkey Bar, and Poncho Villas have changed their style and are no longer a gunslingers hangout that were open 24/7, but now ONLY at night. The Beatle Bar a few years back enclosed their establishment and Poncho Villas now has a good sidewalk smorgasbord where one can get a plate full of local food for around US$4.00, which is a good deal if you are hungry and on a budget.
Jaco is cleaning up - this beachfront bar is just many that have sparked a new reputation into the "Once Was" lawless town
In fact, many tourist maps now ‘do not’ put the locations of the “once was” hot male establishment – another sign that Jaco wants to cater more to the family and elite lifestyles of the rich and famous.
With said, Jaco is a lot pricier. Don’t expect to get any great deals in Jaco. Hotels are still ‘somewhat’ reasonable, but food, nightlife, recreation, and souvenirs are about twice or three times as expensive. An carved wooden sculpture of a dolphin about 6 inches high now sells for US$38 (ouch!), where the same will sell in San Jose Mercado Central for around $10. Drinks can be anywhere between 6 to eight US dollars and a meal at a high-class international restaurant can set you back almost US$100 if not more (another ouch!)
Jaco’s ongoing prosperity has made way to a new variety of celebrated restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, US fast food franchises, health spas and entertainment venues. Los Suenos marina is attracting the rich and famous. And Playa Hermosa, sponsored the World Championship Surfing contest this year. I do have to agree, Jaco has a better display of jewelry, local paintings, sculptures and hand crafted goodies than I have ever seen before. It has become a shopper’s paradise.
Jaco has become the perfect place for sport fishermen, surfers, eco-gurus, birders, wildlife enthusiasts and nightlife, and anyone in search of the good life, or “Pura Vida” as Costa Rican’s call it.
I have had the pleasure of travelling back and forth for one year on business. Now with the new hiway, Jaco brings families, dog lovers for a day off at the beach.
Try out http://www.tresregolos.com project at the end of the beach there in Jaco, another family, well built project. With families coming back, local investment, SJO people buying a beach condo, making one of their dreasm come true, soon Jaco will be a a desired destination for us hard working business people from SJO.
Good people, great projects and family fun can now be found in Jaco, a short drive.
Jaco Beach is a beautiful place. I was there this past Feb. I love the beaches in Costa Rica. The artwork is great also.