With Easter falling in March in 2027, April in Jacó is the quiet tail of the dry season: hot mornings, warm sea, gentle surf for learners and the first afternoon showers late in the month, at steady prices. Here is what changes through the month and how to plan around it.
What You Should Know
- April is the turn of the season. Quepos, the nearest long-term station to the south, goes from about 5 rain days in March to about 12 in April, while Puntarenas to the north records about 8, so expect dry mornings and some afternoon showers, more of them late in the month.
- Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, so all of April comes after Semana Santa. In our hotel sample, weeknights held near $162 all month and Saturdays near $172 to $187, with no holiday spike at all.
- Prices did not fall after Easter in our sample; the crowds do. Expect Costa Rica's beach-holiday rush to be over and, if schools follow their usual calendar, noticeably quieter weekdays.
- April is one of the best months to learn to surf in Jacó. The dry season keeps the morning waves gentle, and our surf guide names April with December as the best shoulder months for beginners.
April in Jacó: The Honest Picture
⭐ Best April window: 1 to 15 April, midweek. The first half of the month keeps most of the dry season's sunshine, and in our hotel sample the weeknight rate is the same in the first week as the last. Showers become more frequent toward the end of April as the wet season approaches.
| Factor | April Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 8/10: hot, mostly dry mornings; showers return late in the month |
| Crowds | 7/10: after Easter; quiet weekdays |
| Prices | 5/10: steady peak-season rates; no holiday spike |
| Beach & Swimming | 8/10: warmest sea; rip currents still present |
| Surf (Beginners) | 9/10: gentle morning waves and quieter line-ups |
| Tortuga Island & Boat Trips | 8/10: calm mornings; whales rarely reported |
| Wildlife (Tárcoles & Forest) | 9/10: busy month for crocodile and bird tours |
| Families | 8/10: easy weather, fewer people |
| Couples | 8/10: quiet beaches, sunsets at 17:49 |
💰 April hotel prices in our sample (Jacó, 3 to 4 star, room for two):
Weeknights: ~$161–163/night · Saturdays: ~$172–187/night · Juan Santamaría Day (Sunday 11 April): ~$161/night
Median of 15 to 18 Jacó hotels that returned an April 2027 rate, checked 20 October 2026. A small sample, so treat the pattern as more reliable than the exact figures.
Planning Jacó for April 2027? Because Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, the whole of April sits after Costa Rica's busiest beach week, in the last weeks of the dry season. The weather figures here are long-term normals from the nearest official stations, not a forecast; the prices and schedules are what we found for April 2027 dates.
A trip to Jacó in April is about the quiet. The Semana Santa crowds have gone home, and weekday beaches are noticeably calmer than in the peak dry-season months. The weather is still mostly the dry-season version: hot, sunny mornings and the warmest sea of the year. What changes is the afternoon. As the month goes on, clouds build over the hills and the first real showers of the year arrive, usually later in the day.
We'd lean toward April for travelers who want dry-season conditions without the dry-season crowds, and especially for first-time surfers. We think the tradeoff is honest rather than dramatic: you give up a little afternoon reliability, and in our sample you do not save on hotels, but you gain space on the beach and in the water.
Who April suits best:
- Beginner surfers: gentle morning waves and fewer people in the white water.
- Travelers who dislike crowds: all of April falls after Easter in 2027.
- Wildlife fans: April is one of the busiest months for Tárcoles River crocodile tours, with low water and plenty of birds.
- Bargain hunters: less ideal. In our sample, April rates match February's; the real green-season savings start later in the year.
Jacó Weather in April
| Metric | April |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 32°C (90°F) |
| Avg Low | 23–24°C (73–75°F) |
| Water Temp | 29°C (84°F) |
| Rain Days | ~8–12 |
| Humidity | Moderate, rising |
| Wind | Low to moderate |
| Rain Level | Moderate (transition month) |
Temperature and Humidity
April is as hot as March, with highs near 32°C (90°F), and the nights are the warmest of the year so far, around 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F). Quepos to the south averages 32.2°C and 23.5°C in April, and Puntarenas, across the Gulf of Nicoya, 34.6°C and 23.7°C. As the rains approach, the air feels heavier than in February. Sunrise is the earliest of the year so far, moving from 05:37 to 05:22, and sunset holds at about 17:49 all month.
Rain Pattern
April is the transition month. Quepos averages 156.9 mm over 12.4 rain days, four times March's total, and Puntarenas 30.3 mm over 7.8 days, so Jacó falls somewhere between: expect roughly 8 to 12 days with some rain. Most people don't realize the pattern matters more than the count. Early in the month showers are occasional; later they become more regular and tend to arrive in the afternoon, leaving mornings clear for the beach and tours. May is the real change, when Quepos jumps to about 389 mm over 23 days.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The Pacific stays near 29°C (84°F), as warm as it gets. Morning surf is still gentle enough for lessons, and the beginner zone is far less crowded than at Easter. Trails in the hills are still mostly dry, though the first showers can make some sections slick late in the month. Puntarenas still averages about eight and a half hours of sunshine a day.
April in Jacó: Crowds and Prices Week by Week
April 2027 has no holiday peak, and our hotel sample is one of the flattest of the year.
- 1 to 10 April: the week after Easter. Costa Rican holiday visitors have gone home, and in our sample weeknights cost about $161 and Saturday 10 April about $172.
- 11 April (Juan Santamaría Day): a public holiday honoring Costa Rica's national hero, which falls on a Sunday in 2027. In 2024 it was moved to a Monday to create a long weekend, but no move had been announced for 2027 as of October 2026. Either way, our sample showed no increase: Sunday 11 April was about $161 and Monday 12 April about $162.
- 12 to 24 April: steady at about $161 to $163 on weeknights; Saturday 17 April was the dearest April night in our sample at about $187.
- 25 to 30 April: the same rates, with more afternoon showers. Saturday 1 May, Labour Day, was about $185.
The biggest difference between April and the months before it is the people, not the price. Tour prices are unchanged, and nearly every date was open when we checked; the Tortuga Island catamaran showed only 6 April as unavailable.
The Best Month to Learn: Surf Lessons in April
April's signature draw in Jacó is the surf. Jacó Beach is one of Costa Rica's easiest places to learn, and April combines dry-season conditions with post-Easter space in the water.
Why April Works for Beginners
Our Jacó surf lessons guide names December and April as the best months for pure beginner learning, combining calm weather and manageable swell. April reviews of Jacó's highest-rated school read the same way: guests describe beautiful, beginner-friendly conditions and standing up by their second wave. The green season, from May, brings larger swells that suit intermediate surfers better.
What a Lesson Looks Like
Lessons run about two hours on Jacó Beach, with the board included. Schools set times by tide, so expect to be told your exact slot the evening before. Several schools offer photos and drone video, which April families mention again and again; check whether it is included before you book.
Find the Right Meeting Point
One practical lesson from April reviews: confirm where to meet. Surf schools sit side by side along the beach, and one guest wandered into the wrong school because the gate was closed, while another never received a clear meeting point. Message the school the day before, ask for a map pin, and keep their WhatsApp number handy.
When You Are Ready for More
Once you can stand and ride, Playa Hermosa, five minutes south, is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers only. For most visitors, a second or third lesson on Jacó Beach is the better next step.
Whales in April?
Hardly. Only 1 of 170 Costa Cat Tortuga Island reviews posted in April mentions whales. Southern humpbacks, the bigger draw, are more often reported from July to October.
What to Watch in April: The First Rains, the Heat and the Sea
April is easy, but it is no longer the dry-season guarantee of February.
Afternoon Showers
The first showers of the year usually arrive later in the day and become more regular through the month. Plan the beach, surf and boat trips for the morning and keep afternoons flexible. Tours run in light rain: the ATV operator, for example, runs in all weather and warns riders to expect dust in the dry season and mud in the rainy one. The Tortuga Island catamaran leaves at 07:15 and is back mid-afternoon, which suits the April pattern well.
Heat and Humidity
April nights are the warmest of the year so far, and the air grows heavier as the rains approach. The UV index still reaches 11. Early starts, shade at midday and plenty of water matter as much in April as in March.
Check the Playa Fantasia Dates
Sealounge's catamaran trips to Playa Fantasia, the top pick on our Jacó boat tours guide, ran last dry season: guests reviewed it every month from December 2025 to April 2026, but when we checked in October 2026 its booking calendar only showed dates from mid-May to mid-December. Look for April 2027 dates closer to your trip, with the Tortuga Island trip or a private boat as a backup.
Rip Currents
Quieter beaches make it easier to find a lifeguard, not easier to escape a rip. Swim near the municipal lifeguard towers on Jacó Beach, avoid darker, foamy channels flowing out to sea, and if you are caught, swim parallel to the shore and raise an arm. The emergency number is 911.
Where to Stay on a April Trip to Jacó
In our sample, April rates were close to February's, with no post-Easter discount, and only Saturdays cost noticeably more.
Most visitors stay in the center, near Avenida Pastor Díaz, within walking distance of the beach, restaurants and tour pickups. The south end of Jacó Beach is quieter, and Los Sueños on Playa Herradura, about 10 minutes north, is the resort-and-marina choice and the departure point for the Tortuga Island catamarans.
Compare Live Jacó Hotel Prices for April
Live rates from our hotel reservation system for a sample three-night stay in April for two adults, so you can see what a April trip costs before you pick tours.
Change the dates at checkout to match your own trip, and book with instant email confirmation.
- Priced for April
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
Croc's Resort & Casino
One of the largest resorts in Jacó, on the beach at the north end of town, with pools, four restaurants and a casino. Guests praise the clean, spacious rooms; food and casino drinks are pricey.
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
The luxury option on Playa Herradura, about 10 minutes north of Jacó, beside the Los Sueños marina where the Tortuga Island catamarans leave. Beach, golf course, spa and kids' club; extras add up.
Club del Mar Oceanfront
Oceanfront rooms and apartments at the quiet south end of Jacó Beach, with a pool, restaurant and bar. Guests rate the location and staff highly; it is a short taxi ride to the center.
Best Western Jaco Beach All Inclusive Resort
Jacó's big beachfront all-inclusive in the center of town, with pools and children's activities. Guests like the staff and the kids' program; rooms are dated and the sea out front is rough.
Apartotel Girasol
Beachfront apartments with kitchens, a pool and a garden gate onto the sand, a short walk from the restaurants on the main strip. The highest guest score in this list.
Hotel Mar de Luz
A quiet garden hotel in the center, a few minutes' walk from the beach, with pools, a hot tub and rooms with kitchenettes. Guests praise the breakfast and staff; there is no restaurant or bar.
Indicative nightly rate for 3 nights, Apr 15 – 18, 2027, 2 adults. Live pricing at checkout.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
Search all resorts & dates →Surfer Factory: Surf Lessons with Pro Team in Jacó
The activity we'd book first in April. Gentle dry-season waves and post-Easter space in the water make this one of the best months to learn, and this is Jacó's most-reviewed surf school, with near-perfect ratings from more than 500 guests. A two-hour lesson costs $49 with the board included, and April reviewers describe standing up within a few waves. Confirm the meeting point the day before.
Book NowThe Best Things to Do in Jacó This April
Every tour we cover around Jacó runs in April; only the Playa Fantasia catamaran's April 2027 dates were not yet bookable when we checked in October 2026. With afternoon showers creeping back, the table leans toward morning slots.
| Activity | April Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf Lessons | 10/10 | Early morning | Gentle waves, quieter line-up; from $49 |
| Tárcoles Crocodile Tour | 9/10 | 08:30 | One of the tour's busiest review months; from $40 |
| Tortuga Island Tour | 9/10 | Full day from 07:15 | Warm water; back before most afternoon showers |
| Zipline | 8/10 | Morning | Clear-morning ocean views; book early in the day |
| ATV Tour | 8/10 | 09:00 | Mostly dry trails; runs in all weather |
| Horseback Riding | 8/10 | 07:00 | Morning rides avoid heat and showers |
| Waterfall Hike | 7/10 | 08:00 | Less water before the rains; slick rocks after showers |
| Food Tour | 8/10 | Late afternoon | Runs in light rain; sunset stop at about 17:49 |
| Boat Tours | 6/10 | Morning | Playa Fantasia April dates not yet published; private boats run |
Best in April
Surf lessons lead the month, and we'd book this if you have never surfed: two hours on gentle waves, without the Easter crowd in the white water. The Tárcoles crocodile tour is just as good as in March, and the Tortuga Island trip fits the April weather neatly, leaving early and returning in the afternoon.
Mornings for the Hills
The zipline drew more guest comments about its views in April than in any other month of its reviews, and the ATV ride and horseback ride still run on mostly dry trails. In our view, April is the month to book these first thing, before the clouds build. The food walk in the late afternoon is the natural answer to a showery end of day.
More April Activities Worth Knowing About
Most of these April-friendly experiences do not have their own guides on this site yet.
Carara National Park
Carara borders the Tárcoles River on the road from San José and is the area's best-known place for scarlet macaws. An early-morning walk there pairs with the 08:30 crocodile boat and finishes before the afternoon clouds. Our Carara National Park tour guide compares six guided walks, from $35.
Playa Hermosa
Five minutes south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers only. It is worth a stop to watch the better surfers late in the day, showers permitting.
Herradura Bay
The bay beside the Los Sueños marina, about 20 minutes north, is more sheltered than open Jacó Beach and a gentler place for small children to swim.
Juan Santamaría Day
On 11 April, Costa Rica honors Juan Santamaría, the drummer-boy hero of the 1856 Battle of Rivas, with school parades and ceremonies, the largest in his home city of Alajuela, near the international airport. If you fly in around that date, you may see the celebrations on the way to the coast.
Our Take
Treat April as a morning month: book surf, boats and the hills before lunch and leave the afternoons loose, because the showers that return late in the month rarely spoil a day that starts early, while a trip planned around afternoon outings is the one that gets rained on.
Tips for an April Trip to Jacó
- Book outdoor activities for the morning: showers become more regular through April and usually arrive later in the day.
- Take a surf lesson early in your stay: if you enjoy it, there is time for a second lesson while conditions are gentle.
- Confirm your surf school's meeting point: schools sit side by side on the beach; ask for a map pin the day before.
- Don't expect a post-Easter discount on hotels: in our sample, April rates matched February's. The saving is in crowds, not cost.
- Pack a light rain jacket: it is still mostly sunny, but late-April afternoons can turn wet quickly.
- Swim near a lifeguard tower: rip currents form on Jacó Beach in every season.
- Visiting at a different time of year? Our Jacó in March guide covers Semana Santa and the Tárcoles River at its best, and our Jacó in May guide covers the start of the green season, with quiet beaches, small tour groups and afternoon storms.
- Not sure what to book? Our best things to do in Jacó guide ranks the top nine experiences year-round and covers the free ones, from the beach to the crocodile bridge.
- Where to stay. Our best hotels in Jacó guide ranks 12 hotels by guest score, from $66 a night in our sample.
How We Put This Guide Together
Jacó has no long-running official weather station of its own, so the weather figures are World Meteorological Organization normals for the two nearest stations, Quepos (1984 to 2003) and Puntarenas, with Jacó placed between them; sea temperature is a long-term average from published sea-temperature records, and sunrise and sunset are calculated for Jacó's coordinates. These are normals, not a forecast for April 2027. Hotel prices are the median nightly rate for a room for two at 3 to 4 star Jacó hotels that returned a price for each April 2027 date when we checked on 20 October 2026; only 15 to 18 hotels quoted, so treat them as a pattern. Tour prices, schedules, cancellation terms and April availability were checked live on 20 October 2026. The surf, zipline and whale notes come from reading every review of the featured surf school, the Los Sueños zipline and Costa Cat's Tortuga Island trip and sorting them by the month they were posted. Holiday facts come from Costa Rica's Labour Code and Ministry of Labour announcements. Ratings in the tables are our editorial judgment of how April suits each activity, not guest scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacó good in April?+
Yes. In 2027 all of April comes after Easter, so the beaches are quieter, while the weather is still mostly dry and sunny, with a sea near 29°C. Showers return toward the end of the month, usually in the afternoon. In our hotel sample, rates stayed steady at about $162 on weeknights.
What is the weather like in Jacó in April?+
Hot, mostly sunny and turning showery. Expect highs near 32°C (90°F), warm nights around 23 to 24°C, and roughly 8 to 12 days with some rain, judging by the nearest stations at Quepos (12.4 days) and Puntarenas (7.8 days). Mornings are usually the driest part of the day.
Is April a good month to learn to surf in Jacó?+
It is one of the best. The dry season keeps the morning waves gentle, the Easter crowds have gone, and April reviews of Jacó's top surf school describe beginner-friendly conditions and standing up within a few waves. A two-hour lesson costs from $49.
Does it rain in Jacó in April?+
More than in the dry months, but mostly late in the month and late in the day. Quepos averages 156.9 mm over about 12 rain days in April and Puntarenas 30.3 mm over about 8, with Jacó in between. The real wet season starts in May.
Is April cheaper than March in Jacó?+
Only compared with Holy Week. In our sample of Jacó hotels for 2027, April weeknights cost about $162 and Saturdays about $172 to $187, the same as early March and February. The Semana Santa peak, up to about $248 on Saturday 20 March, is the part of the year you avoid by coming in April.
What is the best week to visit Jacó in April?+
The first half of the month, 1 to 15 April, ideally midweek. Showers are still occasional, the Easter crowds have left, and in our sample hotel rates are the same as later in the month.
What are the best things to do in Jacó in April?+
Surf lessons are at their best for beginners, and the Tárcoles River crocodile tour and the Tortuga Island trip are excellent. Book the zipline, ATV and horseback rides for the morning, before afternoon clouds build. The Playa Fantasia catamarans ran last April, but their April 2027 dates had not been published as of October 2026.
Is Juan Santamaría Day a holiday in Jacó?+
Yes. 11 April is a national public holiday in Costa Rica, and in 2027 it falls on a Sunday. In 2024 the holiday was moved to a Monday to create a long weekend, but no move had been announced for 2027 as of October 2026. Our hotel sample showed no price increase around the date.
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