Jaco is a beach town on the central western coast of Costa Rica. Unlike other Costa Rican beaches that may be difficult to access, Jaco is more developed with modern amenities, but still retains the charm of a small surf town. Come here to try sport fishing, surf the waves or to zipline through the jungle. And if that sounds a little strenuous, why not join a yoga retreat or simply relax on one of the pristine beaches. You can also explore one of the nearby nature reserves such as Manuel Antonio, approximately an hour’s drive south. 

The temperature averages around 26-32°C all year, with high humidity. The rainy season is from August to December and the dry season is from December to April. Traveling to Jaco as a person with disabilities requires some planning but the more modern buildings and infrastructure make it a little easier. You can even have a go at surfing with an adapted board!

This tour will introduce you to a little bit of everything Costa Rica has to offer: an accessible boat tour, a hike through a National Park and a joelette wheelchair.

Quepos, Manuel Antonio & Jaco tour, Costa Rica (5 days/4 nights)

Welcome to Costa Rica! 

This peaceful country is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world. 

National parks, a large variety of animals, beaches… friendly and welcoming Costa Ricans and a super easy-going spirit of life, make Costa Rica a fantastic vacation destination.

Highlights of Costa Rica (10 days/ 9 nights)

A fun and accessible 10 days experience in Costa Rica! Full of activities such as surf, boat tours and zip-lining!

Jaco

The Best Western Jaco Beach is an idyllic tropical escape that blends accessibility and a relaxed atmosphere. From its beautiful view of the pacific ocean and gardens to its direct beach access, this stunning all-inclusive, 4-star hotel is an ideal choice for your stay in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. In addition to its outstanding amenities and decor, this resort offers accessible onsite parking, a pool with a chair lift, and elevators with braille. 

This hotel’s casual beachfront environment is present in its accessible rooms. Your all-inclusive experience is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony, and an ensuite with countless accessibility features. These stunning features are also accompanied by luxury amenities such as Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a work desk. 

As you appreciate the stunning sights from the pacific coastline, you can enjoy an exquisite dining experience. At the Hotels onsite restaurant El Puerto Restaurant you can enjoy a buffet-style breakfast or Costa Rican-style lunch and dinners. Have free cocktails or a refreshing beer and the hotel’s bar El Muelle Bar. 

Although you’ll likely never want to leave your beach getaway, there’s so much to do and see in the surrounding area. For instance, the hotel is only 5 km (3.1 miles) from Jaco Walk and Rainforest Adventures Jaco. Other natural attractions such as Pura Vida Gardens And Waterfall and Bijagual Waterfall are a short 16 km (10 miles) away.

Best Western Jacó Beach All Inclusive Resort

The accessible room has a queen and a single bed with an accessible work space.

Guides / staff members have been trained by Wheel the World to provide assistance to people with disabilities during the activity

Accessible bathrooms available at every place of the activity

Places present some barriers and minimum assistance is needed

On this accessible tour, you will board a boat and sail down the Tarcoles River to discover local wildlife and spot crocodiles. The tour will begin with a pick-up service from your hotel in an accessible van. You will then travel to the Jungle Crocodile Safari &amp; Bird Watching Tour Center, where you will stop for lunch. The center is set on one level and has accessible bathrooms, as well as a large restaurant and a gift shop. After lunch, you will wheel approximately 200 metres (218 yards) along paved pathways from the center to the dock, where you will board the accessible tour boat. The boat tour will be led by an experienced guide, who has worked with visitors with physical, hearing and visual impairments. The Tarcoles River flows from the Cordillera Central Volcanic Range to the Gulf of Nicoya and is a natural habitat for many animal species, including the American crocodile, the Bare-throated tiger heron, the American pygmy kingfisher and smaller reptiles such as iguanas. You may see all of these species and more from the boat. You will cruise along the river and the boat will pull over in known crocodile hot spots, giving you the opportunity to snap photos and admire the animals from a safe distance. The boat also has a flat deck area where visitors in wheelchairs can get a panoramic view of the surroundings. The guides will talk to you about the local plant and animal species found in the river, and will be available to answer your questions and assist you, if necessary. At the end of the boat ride, you will arrive at the Jungle Crocodile Safari &amp; Bird Watching Tour Center boat dock and will have a chance to have a bathroom break or to buy souvenirs. You will then be taken back to your hotel in an accessible vehicle.

Tarcoles River Boat Tour

A crocodile-spotting cruise along the Tarcoles River in an accessible boat, with a stop at a center with a restaurant and gift shop.

A boat by the river bank with visitors on board, taking photos of a crocodile on shore.

No accessible bathrooms available for the activity

Adaptive equipment is included and one person assisting is needed

Sunshine, waves, and fun times! Adaptive surfing at Jacó Beach is where you can learn or show off your skills for shredding the Costa Rican surf. Whether you’re a seasoned surfing pro or completely new to the sport, you’ll be led by a team of instructors with over 30 years of experience. You’re surfing instructors are all athletes with National Adaptive and have experience with cognitive and physical disabilities. So, enjoy a fun and well-informed adventure of tearing up waves on an adaptive surfboard. Every bit of your wave-filled experience will be tailored to your needs, whether you’re looking to tackle the surf or just relax on the beach. While you’re in the water, instructors will use visual cues such as written text and light notifications as guides. If you’ve had your fill of the adaptive surfboard, you’ll also be able to traverse Jacó Beach’s sandy terrain with a beach/amphibious wheelchair. After a day filled with excitement, the trip back home is made easy with the use of an accessible minivan with a wheelchair lift. But before you leave, keep in mind that you’re apart of history. Jaco Beach is actually Central America’s first beach with access ramps, making your time here shredding the waves a venture that extends accessibility.

Adaptive Surf Lesson - Jacó Beach

Enjoy adaptive surfing at Jacó Beach, Costa Rica, where you can learn or show off your skills for shredding the waves.

Wheel the World Traveler enjoying adaptive surf board.

Guides / staff members have experience assisting people with disabilities

Accessible bathroom available in only one stop of the activity

Places visited are all wheelchair accessible and can be navigated independently

Trek through Jacó's Carara National Park and explore the rainforest in a way you never thought possible. This early morning hike is your chance to see the only transitional forest of the Central Pacific, where you'll be able to see where species from the dry and humid forests interact and thrive. Not only is it unique for its environment, but it's also Costa Rica's first national park with a paved and universally accessible path.

You'll start your journey by arriving via accessible transportation and be immediately immersed in tropical flora and fauna. As you witness the unique relationship between these rainforest species, you'll receive expert guidance from rangers with over 30 years of experience. On your walk, you'll see be able to go bird watching and animals like the scarlet macaw. You'll also get the chance to see exactly why Carara National Park is referred to as the ""River of lizards"" in the indigenous Huetar language.

Each information point on the trail will features resources available for people with disabilities, including Braille language, optical maps, sculptures, QR codes, textured tiles for changes in the route, sound devices, signs, diagrams in Spanish and English, and much more. These features and the trail's minimal gradient make this an accessible journey for seniors, children, and people with reduced mobility itching to see Costa Rica's unique biodiversity.

Carara National Park - Accessible Hiking Trail

Explore the rainforest in a way you never thought possible on Jacó, Costa Rica's Carara National Park accessible trail.

A tropical parrot with colorful feathers on a branch.

Adaptive equipment is included and two people assisting are needed

Explore Costa Rica’s great outdoors on this tour of the Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach. Visitors can use the one-wheel all-terrain Joelette wheelchair to visit the less accessible walking paths and beach or use a standard wheelchair to explore the more wheel-chair-friendly sections. Guests are sure to experience Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity on both paths! Two-toed sloths and up to four species of monkeys have been spotted on this tour, which can be quite daring and get rather close to tourists. Visitors will then make their way to the beach, where they will be able to use an amphibious beach wheelchair, if needed, to swim. The Wheel the World staff has experience assisting people with disabilities and ensuring guests are comfortable throughout the tour. After the tour, guests will head back to their hotel in San José in an accessible van with a wheelchair lift, stopping halfway to buy handicrafts if they so wish. This tour is an excellent choice for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach Tour

Explore Costa Rica’s astonishing biodiversity on the Manel Antonio National Park and Beach Tour.

Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach Tour.

Adaptive equipment is included and can be used independently or assisted

Sometimes, the best day is one simply spent nearby the comfort of a hotel. The Best Western Jacó Beach allows you to take full advantage of its beach, pool, restaurants, and tennis courts without ever needing to travel the extra mile.

From a beautiful view of the pacific ocean and gardens to direct beach access, you truly get to have it all. You can enjoy access to the hotel pool and a wheelchair lift or use the hotel’s amphibious wheelchairs to explore the adjacent shores. 

After a day in the sun, you can also relax with drinks at the hotel’s bar as your children enjoy the hotel’s playground and game room! The El Muelle Bar and the Lobby bar are great places to have drinks with friends as well as marvel at ocean views. You are also able to enjoy the hotel’s onsite restaurant, El Puerto Restaurant, for a tasty bite to eat.

Jaco Beach

Jacó Beach allows you to take full advantage of resort amenities without having to travel the extra mile.

Jaco Beach sits next to the hotel and the a forested area.