In the surrounding areas you can enjoy a great variety of beaches like Playa Herradura & Playa Hermosa, where the International Quicksilver Championships are held every year in August. The Playa Hermosa Wildlife is the beach of choice for the Olive Ridley sea turtles that come ashore to nest every year.

The Carara Biological Reserve offers to visitors several miles of trails to enjoy Costa Rica's wildlife. Early morning or around sunset is often the best time to see the wealth of that rest among the mangroves. During excursions it is also possible to see caiman, white-faced monkeys, peccaries, scarlet macaws and a wide variety of birds. The Tarcoles River which borders the park is also an interesting place to watch bigger crocodiles. Boat tours are also available.

Manuel Antonio National Park, within a short driving distance of Jaco, is also famous for its beaches and wildlife.