Jacó, Costa Rica facts for kids
Jacó is a lively district in the Puntarenas area of Costa Rica. It's part of the Garabito canton. Jacó is famous for its beautiful black sand beach, which is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long. This beach is a very popular spot for surfers!
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Where is Jacó?
Jacó covers an area of about 141 square kilometers (54 square miles) and is located just 7 meters (23 feet) above sea level.
Jacó is surrounded by mountains. To the north, you'll find Herradura Bay, and to the south, there's Playa Hermosa. (Be careful not to confuse this Playa Hermosa with another beach of the same name in a different part of Costa Rica!)
About 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Jacó is the Carara National Park. This park is known for its amazing wildlife and thick rainforest. It's home to one of the biggest groups of wild scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. The Manuel Antonio National Park is also nearby, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) south of Jacó.
Jacó is about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from San José, the capital city. The drive takes less than two hours using Route 34. It's also about an hour and a half from Juan Santamaría International Airport, which is Costa Rica's main international airport.
Jacó's Weather
Since Jacó is right on the coast, the weather is usually humid. The air often has about 80% humidity, and it can reach 90% in June. During the day, temperatures are usually between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius (75-90°F). At night, it cools down a bit to 24-26 degrees Celsius (75-79°F). In the dry season, away from the ocean, it can get even hotter, sometimes reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95°F) or more.
Jacó has a tropical climate with clear wet and dry seasons. The wet season usually runs from August to early December. The dry season is from late December to early April. The other months can have some rain, but it's less regular.
People of Jacó
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1973 | 2,959 | — | |
| 1984 | 3,144 | 6.3% | |
| 2000 | 6,371 | 102.6% | |
| 2011 | 11,685 | 83.4% | |
|
Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |
|||
According to the 2011 census, Jacó had a population of 11,685 people.
Getting Around Jacó
Road transportation
You can reach Jacó by road using:
National Route 34
Fun Things to Do in Jacó
Jacó's beach is a fantastic place for surfing. There are many surfing schools where you can learn. You can also find shops that sell and rent surfing gear. If you're an experienced surfer, Hermosa Beach is just five minutes away. It has great waves for more advanced surfers.
Besides its beaches and lively nightlife, Jacó is close to several national parks. Manuel Antonio National Park is about an hour's drive south. You can also enjoy many exciting activities in Jacó itself. These include ATV rides, horseback riding tours, snorkeling trips to Tortuga Island, hiking, and ziplining!
History of Jacó
Jacó became a district on September 16, 1965. Before that, it was part of the Puntarenas area.
See also
In Spanish: Jacó para niños
