A few decades ago, a trip from the Central Valley of Costa Rica or the capital city of San Jose to Jacó Beach, involved a full day adventure. While only 80 kilometers (49 miles) from San Jose, in the mid 70's this distance implied a 5 hour trip.
These were the humble beginnings of what was shortly to become one of the most important beach resrot areas of Costa Rica. Travelers would brave the mountains and the clouds of dust along 3 hours of gravel road from Atenas to Orotina; with a short stop in the latter, to check the car for any damages and to have a beverage to clear the throat and prepare for yet another 2 hours of tortous journey!
But once there, the trials and tribulations along the way were but a forgotten memory when travelers were confronted with the beauty of an area teeming with spectacular panoramic views, natural habitats and beach adventure. All well worth the hurdle to get there!
Those brave souls who came to enjoy a unique setting, would later return to their homes and tell their friends and family of the wonderful paradise that awaits you - after paying the price of forging ahead through those unforgiving roads that tested the stamina of both passenger and vehicle!
Word of mouth recommendations brought more and more brave souls yo Jacó and barely five years later the road was blacktopped, making travel to these shores but a short 2 1/2 hour ride. Hotel development followed the plethora of vacation visitors and these were followed by thousands who came to call the area their home.
And what a home! So close in distance to the hustle and bustle of the Central Valley, Jacó became and still is a place for relaxation, enjoyment and adventure; far from the stress of the modern 9 to 5 (8 to 5 in Costa Rica) rhythm of life that tends to sap our energy and burden our minds. Today the remoteness of Jacó is in its lifestyle, in its nature, in its adventure and in its people.
Despite blooming into on of Costa Rica's largest cities along the coast, Jacó is precisely that - a beach city - with an ambiance of its own, surrounded by national parks of unique combination of natural habitats, water sports, adventure and leisure activities.
The soon to be completed Costal Highway will bring Jacó even closer to the Central Valley, converting the 2 1/2 hour ride into a 90 minute commute. And again, despite this proximity and becoming the closest beach area to the Central Valley, Jacó will stay true to its many marvels and attributes - we will still be far from the dilemmas of stress and pressures of daily life while preserving our nature, our heritage and our unique experience as the place to get away from it all.
The travel industry of this area is based on this premise - a get away to relaxation, the thrill of sports and the mystery of nature. Your clients will bask along our sun drenched shores; immerse themselves in the dark environs of the rainforest as they strive to catch a glimpase of one or other endemic species; test their stamina against nature in the exhilaration of water sports; fulfill their expectations of excitement and when they thought that there was no more to experience - enjoy the rhythms of music in a fun filled and active nightlife!
And yes they'll be worn-out! - but not from the stress that plagues us all - but rather from the type of exhaustion that comes from fulfilling a fantastic vacation experience and leaving the worries of the world behind. The type of exhaustion that leaves us all craving for more!
Odds are that not only will they thank you for having recommended us but will also try to get you to come and experience Jacó!
Geographical Division 
