Playa Jacó

Jacó is the most alive stretch of the central Pacific: a long grey-sand break with surf schools at one end, sport-fishing boats on the horizon and rainforest ridges rising straight out of the back of town.

It suits groups and celebrations, people who want an ocean day, a canyon afternoon and somewhere to eat late. Villas here sit above the town on the jungle side, so the energy is a five-minute drive away rather than outside your gate.