August in Jacó is green season after the school holidays: steady hotel prices, quiet weekdays, the midsummer dry spell fading early in the month, humpback whales becoming a real possibility on the Tortuga Island crossing and turtles nesting just south of town. Here is what to expect and what to book.
What You Should Know
- August is firmly green season. Quepos, the nearest long-term station to the south, averages 469 mm over 26 rain days and Puntarenas, to the north, about 22, and the IMN's midsummer dip in the rain usually ends around 10 August.
- Prices settle after the July holidays. In our hotel sample, August weeknights were about $162 to $165 and most Saturdays about $187, with no rise around either public holiday, 2 August or Mother's Day on 15 August.
- Whales become a real chance. On Costa Cat's Tortuga Island trip, 16 of the 130 reviews posted in August mention whales, against 5 of 168 in July, as southern humpbacks move along the Pacific coast.
- Mornings still work. August is the busiest review month of the year for Jacó's top-rated beach and jungle horseback ride, and August 2026 riders describe sloths, monkeys, macaws and beautiful weather on the early rides.
August in Jacó: The Honest Picture
⭐ Best August window: 1 to 10 August, midweek. The IMN's midsummer dip in the rain usually lasts until about 10 August, and in our hotel sample rates are flat all month, so the first ten days offer the best weather for the same price.
| Factor | August Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 5/10: frequent rain; drier spells early in the month |
| Crowds | 8/10: after the school break; quiet weekdays |
| Prices | 6/10: steady green-season rates |
| Beach & Swimming | 5/10: warm sea; bigger swell and stronger rips |
| Surf | 7/10: green-season swell for improvers |
| Whales & Boat Trips | 8/10: humpbacks a real chance on the crossing |
| Wildlife (Carara, Tárcoles & Turtles) | 8/10: green forest, turtle nesting season |
| Families | 6/10: fine with a rain plan; schools back in session |
| Couples | 7/10: quiet beaches and early-morning rides |
💰 August hotel prices in our sample (Jacó, 3 to 4 star, room for two):
Weeknights: ~$162–165/night · Saturdays: ~$187/night (Saturday 7 August ~$199, Saturday 28 August ~$173) · Mother's Day, Sunday 15 August: ~$165
Median of 14 to 18 Jacó hotels that returned an August 2027 rate, checked 20 October 2026. The weekly figures repeat almost exactly, which suggests many hotels had not yet set final rates; recheck closer to your trip.
Planning Jacó for August 2027? With Costa Rica's mid-year school break over, August is a calm green-season month in Jacó: steady prices, quiet weekdays and frequent rain, softened early in the month by the tail of the midsummer dry spell. 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 August 2027.
An August trip to Jacó is about the mornings and the sea. Most days still start brighter than they end, which leaves time for a horseback ride, a surf session or a Carara walk before the rain. Offshore, August is when the southern humpback season gets going properly, and turtles are nesting on the refuge beach at Playa Hermosa, just south of town.
We'd lean toward August for travelers who want green-season quiet without the July premium, and especially for anyone hoping to see whales from a boat. We think the tradeoff is the same as in June: you give up reliable afternoons, and in our sample you do not save on hotels compared with the dry season, but you get space and wildlife.
Who August suits best:
- Whale hopefuls: sightings on the Tortuga Island crossing rise sharply from July.
- Riders and wildlife fans: morning horseback rides and Carara walks are green, quiet and full of animals.
- Crowd-averse travelers: the school break is over and weekdays are calm.
- Sun-seekers: less ideal. December to April is the reliable beach window.
Jacó Weather in August
| Metric | August |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 31°C (88°F) |
| Avg Low | 23°C (73°F) |
| Water Temp | 28–29°C (82–84°F) |
| Rain Days | ~22–26 |
| Humidity | High |
| Wind | Low to moderate |
| Rain Level | High (green season) |
Temperature and Humidity
Highs are around 31°C (88°F) and nights about 23°C (73°F). Quepos to the south averages 30.4°C and 22.7°C in August, and Puntarenas, across the Gulf of Nicoya, 32.2°C and 23.1°C. Humidity is high, and on sunny mornings the heat builds quickly: an August 2026 rider described "a beautiful hot day" and was glad of the water the guide provided. Sunrise is about 05:30 all month, and sunset moves earlier, from 18:01 to 17:49.
Rain Pattern
Quepos averages 469 mm over 26.4 rain days in August and Puntarenas 223 mm over 21.8 days, so expect roughly 22 to 26 days with some rain around Jacó, more than in July. The IMN places the canícula, Costa Rica's midsummer dip in the rain, at about 15 July to 10 August, so the first days of the month can still be drier. After that, the usual green-season pattern returns: a brighter morning and rain in the afternoon or evening. Puntarenas still averages about five and a half hours of sunshine a day.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The sea is about 28 to 29°C (82 to 84°F). Green-season swell is larger than in the dry season, which suits intermediate surfers and strengthens rip currents. Snorkeling visibility around Tortuga Island varies with recent rain. Trails are muddy and humid, and some horseback routes cross a river that can be deep enough to wet your shoes and trousers.
August in Jacó: Crowds and Prices Week by Week
August has two public holidays but, in our sample, no holiday pricing.
- 31 July to 2 August (Virgen de los Ángeles weekend): 2 August, the feast of Costa Rica's patron saint, falls on a Monday in 2027. Many Costa Ricans walk to the basilica in Cartago around this date, far from the coast. In our sample, Saturday 31 July was about $187 and Monday 2 August about $163.
- 3 to 14 August: steady at about $162 on weeknights. Saturday 7 August was the dearest August night in our sample, at about $199.
- 15 August (Mother's Day): a national public holiday, on a Sunday in 2027, when many families gather for lunch. Sunday 15 August was about $165 in our sample. In some past years this holiday was moved to a Monday to create a long weekend; no move had been announced for 2027 as of October 2026.
- 16 to 31 August: about $162 to $165 on weeknights and $173 to $187 on Saturdays.
Every tour we cover had open dates through August when we checked, and tour prices are the same as in the dry season. The biggest difference between August and July is the crowd: once the school break ends, weekdays on the beach and the tours are calm again.
The Whale Season Builds: Humpbacks, Turtles and the Morning Ride
August's signature draw near Jacó is wildlife, at sea and on land.
Humpbacks on the Tortuga Crossing
Humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere migrate to Costa Rica's Pacific coast in the second half of the year, and August is when sightings near Jacó become a real possibility. We counted every Costa Cat Tortuga Island review by the month it was posted: whales appear in 5 of 168 July reviews, 16 of 130 in August and 27 of 84 in September. Roughly one August review in eight mentions them, so treat it as a strong chance rather than a promise. Our Tortuga Island tour guide compares the six ways to reach the island, and our Jacó boat tours guide covers private charters.
Turtles at Playa Hermosa
Olive ridley turtles nest from July to December on the beach of the Playa Hermosa–Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Jacó. Eggs hatch after about 45 to 50 days, so by our calculation the first nests of the season start hatching around late August. If you walk the beach at night, use only red or amber light, keep at least 10 metres from nesting turtles and never touch nests, eggs or hatchlings.
The Morning Ride
On land, August is the most-reviewed month of the year for Jaco Horse Riding Tours, the top pick on our horseback guide. August 2026 riders describe two-hour rides through jungle and across a river to Jacó Beach, with sloths, white-faced monkeys and scarlet macaws along the way. The 07:00 ride is the safest bet for dry weather and cooler air.
Carara in the Green Season
Carara National Park, 30 minutes north, opens at 08:00 from May to November and is green and quiet in August. Go at opening, bring repellent, and pair it with the Tárcoles River crocodile boat next door.
What to Watch in August: Rain, River Crossings and Swell
August is wetter than July, but its days still follow a pattern you can plan around.
Rain After Lunch
Once the midsummer dip ends, most August days bring rain later in the day. Book the first slot of every tour, keep afternoons flexible, and use the late-afternoon food walk or a restaurant terrace as your rain plan.
Wet Feet and Muddy Trails
Horseback, ATV and waterfall routes are muddy in August. The horseback operator asks riders to wear long trousers and closed shoes, and one rider on a beach-and-jungle ride described a river crossing deep enough to soak shoes and trousers. Bring a change of clothes for the drive back.
Check the Meeting Point
One August 2026 rider found that the meeting point in their booking was wrong; the guide sent the correct location on WhatsApp. Confirm the start point with any small operator the day before.
Swell and Rip Currents
Green-season swell strengthens Jacó's rip currents. Swim near the municipal lifeguard towers, follow their flags, 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.
Playa Fantasia
The Sealounge catamaran trips to Playa Fantasia normally run in August, but when we checked in October 2026 no 2027 dates were yet open to book. Confirm before you plan around them.
Where to Stay on a August Trip to Jacó
In our sample, August rates were flat, with no jump around the 2 and 15 August holidays, so you can choose dates by weather and tours rather than price.
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 August
Live rates from our hotel reservation system for a sample three-night stay in August for two adults, so you can see what a August trip costs before you pick tours.
Change the dates at checkout to match your own trip, and book with instant email confirmation.
- Priced for August
- 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, Aug 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 →Jaco Horse Riding Tours: Horseback Riding Adventure
The outing we'd book first in August. It is the month this ride gets more reviews than any other, and August 2026 riders describe sloths, monkeys and macaws on a two-hour loop through jungle and across a river to Jacó Beach, on well-kept horses matched to your level. The 07:00 start beats both the heat and the afternoon rain. Bookings take up to six riders, water, helmets and photos are included, and pickup in Jacó costs $5 each way.
Book NowThe Best Things to Do in Jacó This August
Every tour we cover around Jacó runs in August, though the Playa Fantasia catamarans had no 2027 dates open yet when we checked. The table rates each activity for the month; as in all green-season months, mornings come first.
| Activity | August Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseback Riding | 9/10 | 07:00 | Jungle, river and beach; busiest review month; from $64 |
| Tortuga Island Tour | 9/10 | Full day from 07:15 | Whales in about one August review in eight |
| Carara National Park | 8/10 | 08:00 | Green forest; ticket-included walks from $45 |
| Tárcoles Crocodile Tour | 8/10 | 08:30 | Pairs with Carara; from $40 |
| Zipline | 8/10 | 08:00–10:00 | Seven departures to dodge showers; from $75 |
| Surf Lessons | 7/10 | Early morning | Green-season swell; beginners go first thing |
| ATV Tour | 7/10 | 09:00 | Runs in all weather; expect mud |
| Boat Tours | 7/10 | Morning | Private charters for whale-watching |
| Waterfall Hike | 6/10 | 08:00 | Wet rock makes the climbs and ropes harder |
| Food Tour | 8/10 | Late afternoon | Runs in light rain; sunset near 17:55 |
Best in August
We'd give the horseback ride the edge for a first morning: two hours, wildlife on the trail and the beach at the end, back before the rain. The Tortuga Island trip is the day out to book for whales, and in our view the best value bet of the month for anyone who has never seen a humpback.
Wildlife Mornings
A walk in Carara at 08:00 followed by the Tárcoles crocodile boat is the best nature half-day near Jacó in any season, and the green season keeps both quiet. The zipline is the easiest adventure to fit around the weather.
More August Activities Worth Knowing About
These August-friendly experiences do not have their own guides on this site yet.
Playa Hermosa
Five minutes south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers only, and green-season swell makes it more serious. Its beach is also the turtle-nesting refuge, so follow the refuge's rules at night.
Herradura Bay
The bay beside the Los Sueños marina, about 20 minutes north, is more sheltered than open Jacó Beach and the gentler choice for a swim when the swell is up.
The Romería to Cartago
Around 2 August, large numbers of Costa Ricans walk to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago, east of San José, in the country's biggest pilgrimage. It is far from Jacó, but if you are driving across the Central Valley at the start of the month, expect walkers and slower traffic on the main roads.
Storm-Light Sunsets
August evenings often bring dramatic skies after the afternoon rain, with sunset between 18:01 and 17:49. A beachfront terrace is the best seat in town.
Our Take
If whales are on your wish list, put the Tortuga Island trip early in your stay: August is when sightings on the crossing become common enough to plan around, and an early booking leaves room to try again on a calmer day if the first crossing comes up empty or rainy.
Tips for an August Trip to Jacó
- Come early in the month for the best weather: the midsummer dip in the rain usually lasts until about 10 August.
- Book the 07:00 horseback ride: cooler air, active wildlife and the best chance of staying dry.
- Wear long trousers and closed shoes for riding: the operator asks for both, and river crossings can soak your feet.
- Confirm meeting points by WhatsApp: small operators sometimes correct the start point the day before.
- Watch for whales on any boat trip: sightings rise sharply from July to September; bring binoculars.
- Swim near a lifeguard tower: green-season swell makes Jacó's rip currents stronger.
- Visiting at a different time of year? Our Jacó in July guide covers the school holidays and the calmest crossings of the year, and our Jacó in September guide covers peak whale season on the Tortuga Island crossing.
- 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; the canícula dates come from Costa Rica's National Meteorological Institute (IMN), 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 August 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 August 2027 date when we checked on 20 October 2026; the figures repeated almost exactly week to week, so treat them as provisional. Tour prices, schedules, cancellation terms and August availability were checked live on 20 October 2026. The whale counts and the horseback, heat and meeting-point notes come from reading every review of Costa Cat's Tortuga Island trip and Jaco Horse Riding Tours and sorting them by the month they were posted. Holiday facts come from Costa Rica's Labour Code and news reporting, and turtle-nesting dates for the Playa Hermosa refuge from Costa Rican news reporting. Ratings in the tables are our editorial judgment of how August suits each activity, not guest scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacó good in August?+
Yes, if you plan around the rain. August is green season with frequent afternoon showers, but it comes after the July school holidays, so weekdays are quiet and, in our hotel sample, rates were steady at about $162 to $165 on weeknights. It is also when humpback whales become a real chance on boat trips.
What is the weather like in Jacó in August?+
Warm, humid and wet. Expect highs around 31°C (88°F), nights near 23°C and roughly 22 to 26 days with some rain, judging by the nearest stations at Quepos (26.4 days) and Puntarenas (21.8 days). The midsummer dip in the rain usually ends around 10 August.
Can you see whales near Jacó in August?+
Often enough to plan for. Southern humpbacks visit Costa Rica's Pacific coast in the second half of the year, and 16 of the 130 Costa Cat Tortuga Island reviews posted in August mention whales, about one in eight. Sightings rise again in September.
How much does it rain in Jacó during August?+
Quite a lot. Quepos averages 469 mm over about 26 rain days in August and Puntarenas 223 mm over about 22, with Jacó between them. Mornings are usually the driest part of the day.
Is August expensive in Jacó?+
No more than the rest of the year, in our data. Our sample of Jacó hotels for August 2027 showed about $162 to $165 on weeknights and $173 to $199 on Saturdays, cheaper than early July. The figures repeated week after week, so recheck nearer your dates.
What is the best week to visit Jacó in August?+
The first ten days, about 1 to 10 August, midweek. The IMN's midsummer dip in the rain usually lasts until around 10 August, and hotel rates in our sample are the same all month.
What are the best things to do in Jacó in August?+
An early-morning horseback ride through jungle and along the beach, the Tortuga Island catamaran for a chance of whales, a guided Carara walk at 08:00 and the Tárcoles crocodile boat. The ocean-view zipline is easy to fit around the weather.
Are there holidays in Jacó in August?+
Two. 2 August, the feast of the Virgin of the Angels, falls on a Monday in 2027 and centres on the pilgrimage to Cartago. 15 August, Mother's Day, is a national holiday and falls on a Sunday in 2027. Neither raised hotel rates in our sample.
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