Bars In Jaco Beach
Some Jaco Beach Bars.
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Some Reviews.
THE COLDEST BEER IN JACO BEACH, LOS FAROLES BAR
Aug 22 '01 (Updated May 09 '05)
The Shore Line It also has the best steaks in town and usually a wicked game of pool.
It was my last day in Costa Rica, and while part of me was looking forward to getting home, mostly I was dreading leaving this agreeable little country. I was therefore more than a little enthusiastic when the front desk at my hotel advised me that my flight had been delayed for at least two hours. It seems there was a intense snow storm in the North Eastern US and Eastern Canada, and flights couldn't get out.
There was also the chance of further delays, and even a chance we might have to spend another night in Jaco or the capital San Jose. Some choice, another dinner in a beach front restaurant, or struggling to get a taxi at a blizzard swept airport. I knew which one I was hoping for.
I told the hotel rep that if he needed me, I'd be across the street at a local bar, checked my bags with the porter, and strolled across the street to Los Faroles to spend the last of my Colones. I figured that this was a better place to kill a couple of hours wait than either the hotel's bar or worse yet pacing in the lobby, like several others were doing.
I'd discovered this great little bar the night before. It's on the main drag of Jaco, at the north end of town. It's literally across the street form the Best Western Hotel, where I'd spent the last couple of nights. I'd gone in the night before to catch a local singer, a guy named "Benjamin", an expat from Arkansas whom I'd seen the night before at another bar in Jaco. His style of laid back music seemed appropriate for what I thought was going to be my last night in the country.
"COME IN MY PRETTIES" LA BRUJA BAR JACO BEACH
Aug 22 '01 (Updated May 09 '05)
The Bottom Line A nice laid back place to rest weary bones after trying to prove you're still "twentysomething" body surfing.
Jaco Beach is a young town. That is obvious the minute you set foot in the place. The bars, cafes and streets are full of twenty something's doing all those things young people do on vacation. Costa Rica does like to bill itself as good retirement destination and every year thousands of Americans, Canadians and Europeans flock here to enjoy their "sunset years." Most don't come to Jaco though. If they do they seem to keep a low profile, or at least they did during the four days I was there.
I was really beginning to feel my age as I wandered around among a community that was half my age. There were the locals with businesses, that catered to their own age group like surf board shops. The "tourists" included large numbers of young and affluent "Josefinos" who flock down the highway from the capital for a little weekend debauchery on the beach.
Finally there was the international back pack brigade. Youths from all over the world searching for whatever it is that you travel around the world searching for at that age. It's been so long since I did it I forget what it was. I can't even remember if I found it. Probably not because I'm still travelling.
The age gap became really obvious in the evenings when I went for a drink or two. Loud music and a youthful crowd are ok, but I was soon feeling out of place. I was almost resigned to spending my evenings propping up the hotel bar when I found out one of Jaco's secrets. The place where the old fogies go to drink, La Bruja, Bar Y Restaurante, "The Witches Bar."
Nightlife attractions:
Jaco's nightlife is somewhat notorious in this country - where some other beach towns close down after dark, it seems that is when Jaco comes alive. Jaco is only 2.5 hours from San Jose, so you will find many Ticos on weekend trips here - as well as many tourists from around the world.
The general itinerary (for those who like to party) for any night of the week is as follows:
10-12:30 PM - the Monkey Bar. This is a standard bar that plays American popular music. Very crowded by 12 o'clock, you should check out the pool tables and bar in back, away from the crowds. You don't pay any charge.
12:30-3 - Nacho Daddy's. This is a dance venue with two rooms - one plays more traditional Latin music (salsa) and the other is hip/hop and reggae style. The charge is 4-5 dollars.