Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 2637-3000;
www.zephyrpalace.com
; r US$399-1824; )
On the same property as the elegant Villa Caletas, its over-the-top sibling takes the decad-
ence to another level of luxury. At this veritable marble palace, seven individually decor-
ated theme rooms that wouldn't look out of place in Las Vegas evoke the splendor of an-
cient Rome, pharaonic Egypt and the Orient.
Jimmy T's Provisions
SELF-CATERING
(
2637-8636;
www.jimmytsprovisions.com
; Los Sueños Marina;
6:30am-7pm Mon-Sat,
7:30am-5pm Sun)
For gourmets looking to self-cater in style, Jimmy T's is a dream come true. His small
store on the docks of the Los Sueños marina might cater mostly to the yachting set, but it's
stacked floor to ceiling with organic, imported and rare-in-Costa-Rica delicacies. Italian
cheeses, grass-fed meat, Asian foods - it's a delight for travelers who love to cook.
Getting There & Away
The Herradura turnoff is on the Costanera Sur, about 6km after the Costanera Sur leaves
the edge of the ocean and heads inland. From here, a paved road leads 3km west to Playa
Herradura. There are frequent local buses (US$2.25, 20 minutes) connecting Playa Her-
radura to Jacó.
Jacó
Few places in Costa Rica generate such divergent opinions and paradoxical realities as
Jacó. Partying surfers, North American retirees and international developers laud it for its
devil-may-care atmosphere, bustling streets and booming real-estate opportunities. Obser-
vant ecotourists, marginalized Ticos and loyalists of the 'old Costa Rica' absolutely despise
the place for the
exact
same reasons.
Jacó was the first town on the central Pacific coast to explode with tourist development
and, despite ups and downs over the years, it remains a major draw for backpackers,
surfers, snowbirds and city-weary
josefinos
(inhabitants of San José). Although working-
class Tico neighborhoods are nearby, open-air trinket shops and tour operators line the
