Jaco Beach is the epi-center of Costa Rica’s nightlife. The party scene is regularly expanding with new dance clubs, beach bars and trendy restaurants offering live music or DJ sets. Back in the day, Jaco was a sleepy surfer town with dirt roads and rice & beans restaurants… but in the last 15 years Jaco Beach has grown into having the hottest nightlife scene, and the undisputed reputation as party capital of Costa Rica!

2024 Guide to the Best Nightlife in Jaco Beach.

The nightlife in Jaco is off the charts. Tourists vacation in Jaco from all over the world, as well as many locals from the capital city of San Jose, who come to enjoy the beach and of course the clubs, bars and party scene. It is common to see groups of guys on a Costa Rica bachelor party or a group of ladies together for a bachelorette party, as well as sport fishing tournaments, business / corporate retreats, and all kinds of family vacations.

Republik Lounge

The most popular club for VIP tables and bottle service is without a doubt Republik Lounge in the center of Jaco with the best DJs, sound system and light show in town.

The entire club was built from the ground up and opened it’s doors in March 2022. Everything is new and well laid out. The main interior area has 2 bars, plenty of vip tables and a dance floor in the center. Brand new state of the art sound system and modern LED light show has inspired DJs to come to Jaco Beach from all over the country just to play at this club.

The exterior of Republik lounge includes a large pool bar with covered vip areas as well as plenty of tables and chairs around the swimming pool. Among the many things to do in Jaco during the day, swing by Republik to take a dip in the pool, have a fancy cocktail and get a bite to eat. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are especially vibrant with resident and guest DJs spinning tunes pool side.

Cocal Casino

The most famous (or maybe notorious) nightlife in Costa Rica is at the Cocal Hotel and Casino which is a few steps away from Republik, on the beach, and smack in the center of Jaco. Aside from being a popular casino and hotel, the outdoor pool bar area (aka Frog’s Bar) is party central. On some nights there is a live Latin music duo. The party usually gets started pretty early, and is not for the faint at heart.

Although Cocal is technically on the beach, and could fit in the “beach bar” section below, it is also an adults-only party scene which is not suitable for everyone.

More Night Clubs in Jaco Center

There are a few new bars that have popped up in the last couple of years (since covid shut down a few of the old ones), some of which will find a niche and stay open, and others will also be closed within a few months… Below is a short list of some of our favorites.

Beach Bars

Happy Hour Sunset Views! Hanging out on the beach with toes in the sand and a beer in hand is a very popular way to spend the golden hour in Jaco. There are some fantastic beach bars in Jaco with ocean and sunset views.

Koko Gastro Bar

This popular beachfront restaurant, can be accessed by walking along the beach, or at the end of the only dirt road left in Jaco! Koko has amazing food and at reasonable prices. They make a great breakfast, and always have fresh tuna (try the tuna bowl). They offer a good selection of local beers and some great snacks.

Koko occasionally has live music, but not a full band, usually a duo… and sometimes a DJ. Although it gets very busy and with an upbeat vibe, it’s not that loud. This is a great place to enjoy beachront, while having good food, drinks and conversation.

🍹 El Point

El Point is another popular beachfront restaurant bar in Jaco with very good food and exceptional sunset views. They have a diverse menu from healthy meals to bar snacks as well as a decent selection of beers and premium alcohol. Perhaps a little more pricey, but not really.. still reasonable.

Very popular place for lunch and happy hour. Sometimes they have a DJ in the evening. Great tuna dishes (always fresh) and exceptional seafood platter with lobster.

More Restaurant Bars on the Beach…

Aloha, Mahi Mahi and Tiki Bar at the South end of town. Clarita’s at the north end. Near the center is Malecon, Jaco Hotel and also The Tangeri, all of which you can grab a snack and a drink while watching the sunset.

Craft Beer & Live Music

The Green Room

If you are looking to catch some live music… The Green Room is an artsy urban oasis in the center of town. Located right next to Republik Lounge, this is a popular place to grab a bite to eat before heading out to party. Great open air vibe, with artisan food, mixology drinks, wide selection of craft beer (try the mango beer), decent wine list, and live music every night of the week.

Jaco Bar has vert good happy hour specials. Some delicious bar food and finger foods. Premium alcohol and craft beer available.

More Restaurant Bars in Jaco Center…

Also on main street in the center of town, Mono Verde has good food and drinks with an axcellent selection of in-house pastries and deserts. Chicanos is a trendy Mexican food restaurant. Jaco Walk is an open air “mall” with a decent selection of restaurants where you can get some drinks.

Don’t waste your vacation trying to figure out what to do and where to go!

Jaco VIP is The Absolute Best Choice for planning and hosting your VIP Vacation Experience in Costa Rica. The Jaco VIP Concierge Staff will bring you to the best places in town! Restaurants, Casinos, Clubs and Bars..

“We live in Jaco and can take you to where you want to be. We will introduce you to all the best hot-spots, and keep you informed on where to avoid.”

Party-Friendly Vacation Rental Villas

Bring the nightlife home! Jaco VIP offers the largest selection of luxurious party friendly Vacation Rental Villas and condos in Jaco Beach. Althought there are obviously limits, this is not a frat house where you can go crazy and hang from the chandeliers, but more like an opportunity to bring the nightlife scene home so that you and your guests can have a private party with DJ, bartender and chef service.

There are half day and full day charters available. The half day is perfect with 4 hours of cruising up and down the coast around Jaco Beach and Los Sueños Marina, with a couple of stops at some secluded beaches. The full day charter is ideal if you want to have a private boat take you to Tortuga Island so that you can enjoy the island activities as well as check out the quiet beaches where tourist boats don’t go.

In Conclusion…

 Jaco Beach has the best Nightlife in Costa Rica!

There are some good discos/casinos/clubs in San Jose, but they are far apart from each other, and in some cases sketchy neighborhoods.

Tamarindo is a nice beach town with some good beach bars and restaurants. It is far from the airport and a small town with far less amenities.

Jaco Beach is a vacation destination that caters to both international tourists and local weekenders looking for tropical paradise with plenty of daytime activities and a vibrant nightlfe scene. It is less than an hour and a half from the airport, and loaded with pretty much everything you could possibly want while on vacation in Costa Rica.