The newcomer in Jaco is Restaurant Pili Pili offers delicious entrees with a French flare. Dishes such as Beef Bourguignon, Pork Tenderloin, Shrimp, and lamb are hand written on a chalkboard daily. Located on the second floor on Jaco's main street across from Mas x Menos. Prices range from $8 - $15. (tel. 2643-5535)

Clarita’s Restaurant (2-643-3327) famous open-air Sports Bar & Grill provides a full menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, prepared on Jaco beach's largest barbeque. They serves up fresh Pacific fish like red snapper, Mahi-Mahi, Dorado, and Ahi Tuna along with delicious dishes of chicken, shrimp, ceviche, burritos, enchiladas, pasta, pepper steak, barbeque ribs, filet mignon and other local Costa Rica specialty dishes.

For simply prepared fresh seafood, El Barco de Mariscos (tel. 2-643-2831) and El Recreo (tel. 2-643-3012) are both good bets that serve standard Tico beach fare -- fresh seafood, sandwiches, chicken, and steak. For a filling American-style breakfast, try the Sunrise Breakfast Place (tel. 2-643-3361). For a coffee break, cappuccino, and fresh pastries and breads, head to either Pachi's Pan (tel. 2-643-1153) or Café del Mar (tel. 2-643-1250). Monica's Pasta (tel. 2-643-4080) is another popular spot for simple pastas and pizzas, while Restaurante Wahoo (tel. 2-643-1876) offers fresh seafood and Mexican fare.

And although the place lacks ambience, sushi lovers should head to Tsunami Sushi (tel. 2-368-7003), inside the El Galeone strip mall. On the main road to Jaco Beach, at the first main entrance into town, you'll find The Lighthouse (tel. 2-643-3083), a steakhouse, seafood restaurant, and raw bar, which is open 24 hours daily and also has an extensive gift shop.

Steve & Lisa's (tel. 2-637-0594), located several miles outside of Jaco, around Tarcoles, is a good place for lunch. The food here is standard Tico food, but the ocean-side setting and views set it apart from other simple sodas. Note: There's another restaurant on this road calling itself "Steve & Lisa's," but it's located inland with no view. Definitely head to the one on the water's edge.