Jaco Beach, Centrally Located, 1 Block to the Ocean

This is a fairly quiet, pleasant little condo (stress "little"--barely 900 square feet) located in a gated community near the beach. With few exceptions, it did fit my requirements in terms of what I was looking for as a solo traveler.

The condo is sparse--a small sitting area (can't call it a living room) with cable TV, a wood dining room table situated near the full-size refrigerator, and a small kitchen with all utensils and small appliances (coffee maker, toaster oven, etc.) expected. The bathroom (also small) has only a shower. The shower/washbasin plumbing didn't work properly on arrival day but I called the property management company and they sent a guy named "Elvis" (no kidding) who fixed it right away. The bedroom had a non-descript double bed with a nice wardbrobe/dresser plus a smaller (cable) TV perched high above the dresser. Didn't use it.

The condo boasts a large pool and a jacuzzi that was nice. Lots of rules--including no eating or drinking at the tables surrounding the pool.

Guests are issued a condo pass which must be surrendered when leaving and picked up again upon return to the main entrance/exit. After awhile, the gatekeepers knew you and it became automatic ritual of going an coming.

As promised, the condo is only one block from Playa Jaco and is right on the main street which runs through Jaco. That brought this problem: Just outside the entrance to the condo complex, there are two homeless guys with a pack of 4-5 dogs lying on the sidewalk--day and night. Had to step around them (and the dogs) the whole time I was in Jaco. Surprisingly, however, they didn't panhandle visitors.

Overall, I liked this condo and would rebook. But, now that I've been to Jaco, I'd also look for other rental options--probably closer to Playa Hermosa--about 3 miles south of Jaco.