In April the dark sand of Jaco is hot enough at midday to make you run for the waterline, and by late afternoon the sky over the bay stacks up with clouds that glow orange before they break. Surfers paddle out at first light, families set up umbrellas under the almond trees, and the bars along the main strip fill after dark. This is the last stretch of the dry-season mood on the central Pacific coast, with the first green showers arriving, and it suits beach days, surf lessons and easy day trips.
What is the weather like in Jaco in April?
April in Jaco is hot, humid and increasingly showery: the sunny mornings of the dry season are still there, but the afternoons now turn toward rain more often than not.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 84.9 | 77.0 | 11.5 | 87.7 |
| April | 83.8 | 77.0 | 21.5 | 87.9 |
| May | 82.3 | 76.5 | 29.6 | 88.0 |
The day’s finest hours come early. By breakfast time the air feels warm, the light comes in clear and golden, and the beach stretches wide and still. Plan surf, walks and anything strenuous before late morning, because by midday the heat sits heavy on the sand and the humidity makes shade feel like a gift.
Rain becomes much more frequent in April, so it helps to keep plans flexible. Some days stay entirely dry, others cloud over early, so it helps to treat the afternoon as flexible. The hills behind town catch the clouds first, which means a storm can be building over the mountains while the beach is still bright.
You can dine outdoors in a T-shirt on mild evenings, kept cool by a ceiling fan or the breeze off the sea. Pack lightweight clothes that dry fast, plus a thin rain jacket. Daylight lasts a little over twelve hours in mid-April, so the sun sets at a sensible hour for dinner plans.
Can you swim in Jaco in April?
The water feels like bathwater, but the surf and the currents have the final say on whether it is wise to swim.
The main beach in town is long, with dark sand and a steady beach break that keeps surfers happy and makes bodysurfing fun near the shore. Swimming is best treated as wading and playing in the shallows rather than striking out.
In this area, rip currents are a grave danger and cause the deaths by drowning of several American visitors each year, and most beaches in Costa Rica have no lifeguards or warnings about dangerous water. Ask a local surf shop or your hotel where the water is behaving that day, and stay close to shore.
Families with small children will usually do better with sandcastles, tide-pool wandering and splashing at the edge than with real swimming. Nervous swimmers can float in a pool at their hotel and save the ocean for wading.
Bring sunscreen, a rash guard for the strong midday sun, and water shoes if you plan to explore the rocky ends of the beach. Snorkeling is not the draw in Jaco itself, as the water along the main beach is often cloudy with sand.
What to do in Jaco in April
The big date of the month is Holy Week, Semana Santa, which moves every year and changes the whole mood of the coast when it lands in April. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, most businesses close, and Costa Rican families fill the beaches, so Jaco turns into a lively, crowded, music-and-grill party for several days. Early in the month, April 11 is Juan Santamaria Day, another national holiday, honoring a national hero and bringing a long weekend feel to some years.
Outside those holiday days, April rewards an early start. Mornings are for the water, afternoons are for shade, cold drinks and the occasional downpour, and evenings are for a slow dinner on the strip.
Food leans toward the sea: fresh ceviche with crackers, whole fried fish with patacones, and the daily casado, a staple plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and a choice of meat or fish. Mango season is in full swing around now, so fruit stands and smoothies are especially good, and a cold coconut on the sand is a simple pleasure.
Surfing and learning to surf
Beginners and seasoned surfers alike can enjoy the beach break, while Jaco’s board rentals and lessons make the town a classic first surf stop. In April the morning sessions are the ones to book: the wind is gentler, the sun is not yet punishing, and the beach is quiet enough to practice standing up without dodging swimmers. Lessons usually mix a short talk on the sand with time in the white water.
Experienced surfers tend to look to the stronger breaks along the coast, while the main beach suits intermediate riders on good days. Whatever your level, ask the surf shop about the currents before paddling out. A rash guard, a hat for the walk back and plenty of water make the session more comfortable, and an afternoon rest in the shade feels earned.
The strip, the sunsets and the nightlife
Jaco’s main street runs parallel to the beach and is lined with open-air restaurants, surf shops, craft stalls, souvenir shops and bars. It is a town for walking at dusk, when the heat eases and the cloud-heavy sky turns orange and pink over the bay. A seat at a beachfront table with a cold drink is the classic way to watch it.
After dark the mood is lively, with live music, sports on the screens and plenty of late dinners. It is a party town more than a quiet retreat, so if you want calm, choose a hotel a little back from the main strip. As in any busy beach town, keep your phone and wallet close, because petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica.
Day trips up and down the coast
Two outings are on almost everyone’s list. To the north, the Tarcoles River is known for the crocodiles that lounge on the muddy banks, and the surrounding area is good for birdwatching, with scarlet macaws as a chance rather than a promise. To the south, Manuel Antonio National Park pairs rainforest trails with white-sand coves, and monkeys and sloths are often spotted by guided walkers.
In April the early start matters even more than usual, since rain tends to arrive later in the day and animals are most active in the cooler morning hours. Because park policies and booking rules may shift, look at the park’s official page before you head out, and if Holy Week lands during your trip, plan for crowds. Pack a poncho, bug repellent and a water bottle.
A two-day itinerary for Jaco in April
Day 1 is for the beach and the town. Start at dawn with coffee and a walk on the sand while it is cool and nearly empty, then take a surf lesson or board rental in the morning when the wind is gentle. Eat a late breakfast of gallo pinto, the rice-and-beans mix, with eggs and fruit at a small local place, and rest through the hottest hours in the shade or a pool.
In the afternoon, wander the craft stalls and surf shops of the main street while the clouds build, and duck into a café if the first shower comes. Come back to the beach for the last light, then settle in for a seafood dinner. The rain card for the day is simple: a long lunch, a market stroll or a spa treatment.
Day 2 is for the coast. Leave early for a guided morning at Manuel Antonio, or head north to the Tarcoles River for crocodiles and birds, both easy day trips from town. Return by early afternoon before the heaviest rain, shower, and spend the late hours at a beach bar with a cold drink. If the sky opens early, a long, slow dinner and live music make a fine plan B.
Is Jaco busy in April?
It depends on the calendar: Jaco is busy during Holy Week and on the long holiday weekends, and noticeably calmer at other times in the month.
During Holy Week, Costa Rican families fill the beaches, traffic builds on the road from San Jose, and rooms, rental cars and restaurant tables are in demand. Most businesses close on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, so you may find fewer shops and a more crowded, festive beach. The holiday around Juan Santamaria Day can also bring a mini-rush to the coast.
Outside those days, April has a more relaxed feel. The foreign high-season crowds thin out as the green season approaches, rooms are easier to find, and the surf lessons are not fully booked. As a habit, reserve early if your dates touch Holy Week or a holiday weekend, and later if you are traveling in the quiet stretches. If you plan a park visit, confirm the current rules on the official page.
What to pack for Jaco in April
Pack for heat, sun and sudden showers, with light layers that dry quickly and a plan for staying comfortable on the beach and the trail.
- A thin rain jacket or poncho, because afternoon downpours are common.
- For the powerful midday sun on wide-open sand, bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- A rash guard for surf lessons and sun protection in the water.
- Sandals plus closed shoes for wet trails on day trips.
- Insect repellent for evenings and rainforest walks.
- A refillable water bottle and a waterproof phone pouch for the beach and the rain.
Good to know before you go
The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.
The practical points for April are the holidays and the rain. Holy Thursday and Good Friday close most businesses, and the beach road is busy around them, so book rooms and transport early if your dates touch Holy Week.
Getting to Jaco from San Jose takes roughly two hours behind the wheel. Keep some cash in small bills, leave your valuables hidden when you are at the beach, and schedule anything outdoors for the morning half of the day.
Jaco in April vs March and May
Moving the trip a month earlier gives you drier, sunnier days, with far fewer rainy afternoons and more reliable beach time. The sea is about as warm, but the sky is clearer, which makes March better for long days outdoors, day trips and big sunset views. It is also the more typical high-season month, so the town can feel busier and rooms may take more planning.
A month later, May is firmly in the green season. Almost daily showers, most often in the afternoon or evening, make the hills lush and send the crowds away. The sea stays warm and the surf can pick up, but outdoor plans need to be tucked into the mornings.
Travelers who want the most dependable beach weather should shift earlier. Those who like a lively but not overloaded town, with a mix of sun and showers, should stay in April. Anyone happy to trade some sunshine for green hillsides and quieter beaches can go later.
Is April a good time to visit Jaco?
Yes, April is a good time for travelers who like heat, surf and a lively beach town, and who are happy to build the day around the weather.
It suits first-time surfers, beach lovers, couples and friends who enjoy a social evening scene, and anyone who wants a mix of sunshine and the first greening of the hills. It is less ideal for travelers who need dry, predictable afternoons, or who want a peaceful retreat during Holy Week, when the town fills with families and music.
On arrival, get your morning plans in place first: a surf lesson, a park visit or a day trip, all best done early. Then settle in, check the beach flags and enjoy the slow afternoons. April in Jaco is the month when the first short showers and wetter spells move through and cool the evenings, and the bay lights up at sunset.
Sources
- Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.6145N 84.6285W, checked October 8, 2026
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 8, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 8, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026