Party Town! Jaco Entertainment Dancing & Bars

Playa de Jaco (Jaco Beach) is Costa Rica's Central Pacific's party town. There are tons of bars, restaurants, lounges, casinos and several discos.

Also available for private parties or Clarita’s Sports Bar (2-643-2615). Claritas is located on Jaco Beach just north of the Best Western Jaco Beach. Claritas has one of the first liquor licenses in the area, and has been a favorite spot for years. It is an open air beachfront restaurant and bar with 8 TVs, satellite, direct TV and cable. Try their daily specials famous for fresh tuna and baby back pork ribs.  Ladies night is Friday from 5 pm to 7pm.  Darts, horseshoes, pool table, and volley ball available. Bring your laptop for free wireless and enjoy the sunset while you work. 

If you're into gaming, head to the Stellaris Casino at the Marriott Los Sueños resort or the Jazz Casino (tel. 2-643-2255), located at the Hotel Amapola. The latter is a modest casino situated towards the southern end of the main road through Jaco (Av. Pastor Díaz), about a block beyond where it takes a sharp turn inland towards the Costanera Sur. 

Jaco Taco, Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Jaco Taco Mexican Restaurant (2-643-1313) just had its grand opening in the old Rock n’ Ola’s located in front of the Best Western. Locals were invited to try out their great Margaritas and real Mexican food. The Jaco Beach Restaurant owner is American and has restaurants in the California area.  At night you can dance to the D.J spins, play pool upstairs, and enjoy the only authentic Mexican dishes. Open 24 hours, and has free wireless internet for its customers.  More

Hotel Poseidon’s Sky Lounge Bar (2-643-1642), located on the air conditioned second floor of the hotel, has sofas, a bar, dining tables and a full menu available. You can gaze at the stars in the open air entry bar. Open all  day Saturday and Sunday for all NCAA & NFL football action. Available for private parties.

Hotel & Casino Cocal (2-643-3067) is located on the beach in the center of town, a locals favorite, doors open at 1pm for machines, tables at 7pm for tables. 

For a more casual atmosphere, head to either the Beatle Bar, which is a favorite daytime hang out for the older local crowd, where you can sign up for baseball games, play a hand of Euchre, or just people watch.  Note:  When the sun goes down, the working girls find this a great spot for prospective “clients”. 

The Jungle Bar (formerly Onyx) is located above Subway both are located right on the main drag in town. Here you will find a nice blend of locals (Ticos) and Americans (gringos).  Wednesday night is Ladies Night, Friday is Karaoke, and you can shoot pool in the back and listen to a mix of Latin and American music. 

The Monkey Bar is located next to the new Plaza Coral Mall and offers nightly special, Reggae night, Tequila night, Ladies night, and is a popular place for the young crowd to meet a night to dance. 

Club Ole has just reopened north of the Beatle Bar and is a spot for the locals to dance to Costa Rica's famous dances: the Salsa, Meringue, and Cumbia. This is the only real disco in the area. 

For a local flavor and great prices check out Bar & Restaurant Malecon, on the beach just north of Jaco's Balcon Del Mar Hotel, An open air beach atmosphere with tables outside where you can view the river, the ocean, and catch some of the best sunsets in the area. 

La Puesta del Sol (2-637-8003) is a favorite beachfront hangout for local fishermen and surfers on Herradura Beach, just past the entrance to Los Suenos.  Seated at an open air bar you can enjoy the fleet of local fishing boats in the bay and indulge in a great meal of the ‘catch of the day’. Again, a good mix of locals and gringos. The owner is one of the founding families and will amaze you with the stories of the beginning development of the area.

Note: There's a fair amount of prostitution in Jaco beach. It's not uncommon to find working women at any of the above-mentioned places, as well as cruising other bars around town.