My Favorite Restaurants Jaco, Costa Rica

I have travelled frequently and since I was young. One of the great things about travelling is the food. Food is a very strong point of culture. My mother was a great cook and I am a great cook, and I am also an absolute foodie and wino. Costa Rica traditionally does not have the most flavorful of dishes they have fresh ingredients and simple but delicious food. With the influx of foreigners living in Costa Rica there are some restaurants with extra zip and zest above the rest. In Jaco, we have quite a few restaurants that I visit on a weekly basis. Here is my most updated list of my favorite restaurants in the Jaco area and what they have to offer.

Newest:

The Fish Shack/Seaside Diner

Location: 100 meters towards the beach (on the rd to Copacabana) from the Beatle Bar. This Restaurant is new, gourmet, the service and atmosphere is terrific. This is a very highly recommended place to dine. The prices are also great with gourmet dinners from $10-$18 and a great wine list. Favorite of mine: the steak and the chicken wrap appetizer.

Paparazzi

Location: The block just north of Platinum gym, 50 feet down on the access street to the beach

New owners, new flavors. This is true Italian at its best. Come hungry because the food keeps coming. The melon and prosciutto is to die for along with the egg plant parmesano. It has a intimate European Atmosphere and I highly recommend it for lunch as well as dinner, but a siesta a will be needed after if you choose lunch.

Pilli Pilli

Location: Across from Mas X Menos second floor.

They have been around for over 3 years now and they have been getting better on consistency. The chefs are French and trained, and they know what they are doing. When they are on it, is fine dining at its best. The crème brule and meat specials are my favorites. The atmosphere is very intimate and perfect for romantic dinner.

Wishbone

Location: Center of Town Main Street across TCBY Frozen Yogurt.

This restaurant has been the most consistent great food for years now in Jaco. They always have a wide variety of quality casual dining. The portions are huge but it can be pricey for casual. The ultimate dish: Caliche’s Pokey. It is a must have while in Jaco.

Lemonzest

Location: Just south of Mas X Menos 100 ft second floor.

The atmosphere is festive but at times can be loud. The service and people are wonderful. The food is gourmet and fresh. Great nights are the special nights such as Sunday when they feature Italian. They have an incredible duck dish which is another must have in Jaco, if Duck is on your list of great foods to eat.

Piccato di Goli

Location: On the south side of the bridge, main street downtown.

This small Italian restaurant has excellent pasta and entrées. The atmosphere isn’t the best but it is definitely one of those really great “hole in the wall” places. The prices are also really affordable. Entrées and pasta dishes are $5-$12. The lasagna is really delish, and really filling, and the nut sauce on ravioli is the must have at this restaurant.

Added benefit: bring your own wine.

Poseidon

Location: Bohio Street

Great atmosphere and delish mid-priced entrées. For me this restaurant is at its best with steak and fish specials. They also have breakfast all day long! This can be needed becaseu when visiting Jaco, late nights abound.

Best Burgers: I am a burger girl.

The Hook Up

Location: Los Suenos Marina.

Great marina atmosphere and the patty melt will make your day.

Los Amigos

Location: Center of Jaco Across from 3 story red building

The burgers are available in lots of gourmet styles and the atmosphere and people are lively and local.

Best Sushi:

Tsunami

Location: Above TCBY Frozen yogurt

Fresh, Fresh, Fresh. Make sure to check out the special nights. Tuesday is half off all Tuna.

Enjoy!!! There is a lot of really tasty, gourmet and fresh food in Jaco, Costa Rica.

Hiking in Costa Rica

If you are a hiking and nature lover there are few places in the world that can offer such quality and diversity as Costa Rica. With trips ranging from as short as a few hours to as long as several days and with terrain ranging from the beautiful waterfalls and volcanoes in the mystical rainforests to the breathtaking beaches with world-class surfing, Costa Rica offers a variety of adventures that are the envy of other countries around the world. In fact, almost 25% of the country is dedicated to national parks and reserves, allowing for an outstanding wildlife population. Monkeys, sloths, and a vast array of colorful birds, frogs, and butterflies offer the nature observer in Costa Rica unparalleled experiences every day.

There are many varieties of countryside in Costa Rica allowing for hikers and observers of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the extraordinary country. The Central Pacific coastal areas such as Jaco and Manual Antonio offer very easy trail systems and while it can be hot and humid, the area has many tourists and is suitable for mostly everyone. Mountainous areas such as Monteverde and Corcovado Park cater to more advanced hikers since they often involve extreme conditions, raging rivers, slippery trails, and poisonous snakes. In the tropics, the weather can change from sunny with clear skies to a tropical downpour in a matter of minutes. Knowing this, it is never a bad idea to research the area, inform someone where you will be traveling, and hire a guide if necessary (normally $50-$80 per day plus tip).

No matter where you’re next adventure in Costa Rica leads you, make sure stay hydrated and follow the golden rule: always be prepared.

Advantages of Fractional Real Estate Ownership in Costa Rica

Fractional ownership is the shared ownership of a vacation home or condo by a group of individuals or families. Fractional ownership can be accomplished in different ways, however most frequently they are set up by the property owner or developer. With the real estate market skyrocketing in Costa Rica, opportunities for fractional ownership of a beautiful and luxurious vacation home or condo are endless and offer many advantages over full ownership.

Seeing as the majority of people only use their vacation home for an average of 17-30 days a year, full property ownership can often lead to complications. For example, the dilemma will often arise on whether to rent the property or to leave it vacant. Renting often involves rental promotion, booking handling, property upkeep in between rentals, limitations on available times for personal use of the property, and many other burdens. Furthermore, leaving the property vacant can lead to a different set of complications such as wasted potential of capital gain, vandalism, and theft. While having a property manager or rental agency handle these problems is one option, fractional ownership can be a less expensive and more efficient way of solving them.

By splitting up the costs of acquisition, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, a fractional property owner can often times afford to invest their money in two or three different vacation homes rather than just one. Doing so can significantly lower investment risks while simultaneously giving the owner more options for personal vacations in comfortable and personalized homes or condos.

Different Fractional projects have different legal structures for usage. This is something you should consult your lawyer on or an experienced realtor. Some structures are better than others and protect the owners and their rights. Contact me for more info:

Piperrenner@hotmail.com