Jacó A Favourite For Ticos on Vacation
Despite the clouds and the threat of downpours, this weekend Playa Jacó will be filled to the brim with visitors taking in the last days of the Semana Santa vacation.

Jacó is the closest beach to the Central Valley and a tradition for many Costa Ricans.

Yesterday, despite the inclement weather, it did not affect the number of visitors and today and tomorrow it will be almost impossible to fine a grain of sand that isn't occupied.

The tradition is not just to take in the rays in the hot scorching sun, but for groups of families and friends to have their own parties on the beach. Volleyball, soccer, surfing and parasailing are just some of the activities that will be enjoyed by the thousands before they head back for home come Sunday afternoon.

Interestingly is that this year the beach is cleaner than in past years, more police patrols and lifeguards.

Jacó is a favourite spot for many foreigners visiting Costa Rica. However, during Semana Santa Costa Rican visitors to the beach outnumber foreigners.

The best news is that this year it has been a safe one, Erick Duarte, one of the lifeguards, said that this year things have been calm, noting that last year at this time they had pulled out 15 people from the water.

The Fuerza Pública (police) also report no major incidents and no arrests. Perhaps the alcohol ban that went into effect as of midnight Wednesday played a key role.

Many Costa Ricans traditionally spend Good Thursday and Good Friday at the beach. A number will be returning home on Saturday beating out the traffic chaos that is normal Sunday, when everyone, trying to squeeze out every last minute of their vacation, head for home, extending the 90 to 120 minute trip to San José to up to three and fours hours.