Jacó is one of the most famous coastal destinations in Costa Rica, boasting a decades-long history of commercial development and real estate investment that has been going strong to this day. What sets Jacó apart from other hotspots like the ones in Guanacaste or further down the coastal highway is precisely its unique combination of convenience, being just an hour away from the city, and the vibrancy of its international community and amenities. For this and many other reasons, Jacó has been a constant staple in the country’s housing market, a dose of stability amidst the sudden explosions in other areas.
The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic saw a widespread increase in demand in beach areas, particularly once the advent of remote work became commonplace, and more people sought a more holistic understanding of wellness in their daily routines. This saw many people flock to the exotic allure of Guanacaste and Puntarenas’ off-the-grid beaches in the Nicoya Peninsula, and in spite of also generating tremendous demand for luxury developments in Jacó, the aftermath has been very distinct.
As 2Costa Rica Real Estate’s Broker and Owner Todd Cutter explains, what drives Jacó’s real estate market “is not the destination per se, but convenience. You’re an hour from San José and can enjoy a full-service marina, an 18-hole golf course, and many other high-end amenities as soon as you arrive there. It’s a known quantity of sorts”. Los Sueños Resort & Marina, for example, is widely considered to be Costa Rica’s most successful luxury community, hosting over 25 subcommunities and 1800 properties overall. In all senses of the word, Los Sueños is a city by the sea and a famous landmark of Costa Rica’s development.
In clear contrast with other important markets in Costa Rica, the demand for properties in Jacó, Los Sueños, and their surrounding areas comes by virtue of affinity. People who invest and buy there are mostly familiar with what to expect, and consciously seek out that resort feel. After all, this has been a fully developed area for decades, so as Todd Cutter remarks, “there’s less place for random investment and not a lot of speculation. As most of the market is composed of resale properties and not new products, there’s less frenzy, which makes for a more stable and healthier market”. Nevertheless, Jacó isn’t totally divorced from the rest of Costa Rica’s post-pandemic boom.
Since 2019, prices in Jacó have come up around 10% to 25%, and there’s a strong demand, particularly for mid-market and affordable second home opportunities and condos, as well as rental options. New developments like Mistico and Nativa, on the outskirts of Jacó, have also drawn demand during the pandemic, blending a more experience-focused selling point with the known conveniences of the area.
What’s an important ingredient to Jacó’s sustainability and success has to do with the influx of local investment, which really sets the location apart from most other top markets in the country. For ticos, Jacó is truly a place they can see themselves in, both for its closeness to big urban centers like Escazú and San José, and being a middle point to further explore down the Pacific coast. This also helps with Jacó’s continued improvement in infrastructure, services, and amenities. This is not a case of a new demographic arriving and transforming the area. In Jacó, all types of investment services a sizeable and diverse community that’s been established there for years, making processes faster and steadier.
As Todd Cutter puts its best: “Jacó might not be as exotic as other destinations, but it’s as real as it gets. You don’t need to wait or hope for any investment, as you can literally drive down there and see it with your own eyes”. With such a proven record of long-term success, there’s no reason for you to not consider investing in one of Costa Rica’s most strategic areas.
Properties in Jacó
One Faro Escondido
Los Sueños Ocean and Sunset View Condo 
Nativa Luxury Resort Apartment
Condominium Alella Alto de Leonmar
Modern 3 bedroom apartment 2 pools tennis court
