A great option on the outskirts of Jacó, Club del Mar is located at the far southern end of the beach, so it feels far removed from the crowds and craziness in the thick of town. This is also one of the safest parts of the beach for swimming, as it’s somewhat protected by the rocky headlands. It’s not a party hotel, but families flock here, drawn both by the calmer waters and the fact that all the comfortable, well-maintained one- and two-bedroom condos come with fully equipped kitchens, large living rooms, and washers/dryers. Standard rooms are all air-conditioned and have minifridges. All are housed in a series of two- and three-story buildings spread around gardens that are chock-full of flowering heliconia and ginger. There’s also a midsize pool with a volleyball net that often attracts a pickup game, and a very good on-site restaurant, Las Sandalias.