Nightlife

The Jacó nightlife strip runs along Avenida Pastor Díaz and the beach; start with sunset beers at beachfront bars like Jungle Surf Cafe or Los Amigos, then migrate to live music at Orange Pub or Clarita's Bar. Late-night spots like Le Loft and Cocal Casino stay open past 2am with DJs, dancing, and the kind of crowd that arrives after midnight. The scene skews young (20s-30s), international, and unpretentious. It's not sophisticated, but it's reliably fun if you want social energy and don't mind loud music. Thursdays and weekends are busiest. Off-season weeknights can be quieter but still active compared to other Central Pacific beach towns, which roll up sidewalks by 10pm.

Santa Teresa's nightlife is exactly what you'd expect from a surf town: low-key, social, and built around the beach rather than clubs. Evenings start with sunset gatherings on the sand at Playa Carmen, then migrate to beachside bars with live music, acoustic sets, and craft cocktails. The scene runs through a handful of well-loved bars and restaurants that keep things going until midnight or 1am on busy nights, with occasional bonfire and DJ events on the beach during peak season. It's not Jacó. There are no late-night clubs, no bachelor-party chaos. Santa Teresa nightlife attracts people who want good conversation, cold beer, live music, and a natural end time when the stars are out.