The Jaco Beach Chef Journal
Tips, menus, and a taste of the good life — everything about bringing a private chef to your villa in Jacó, Costa Rica. A new post every day.
Crisp, juicy, and mostly water — meet the manzana de agua, Costa Rica's glossy pink-red bell-shaped fruit, its health benefits, and where to find it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Scoop into sweet, creamy white flesh that tastes like banana, pineapple and vanilla — meet cherimoya, Costa Rica's custard apple, its health benefits, and where to find it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Eaten green with salt and lime or ripe and sweet, and stewed into jocotes en miel — meet jocote, Costa Rica's most nostalgic little fruit, its health benefits, and where to find it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Boiled, halved, and eaten with mayonnaise — meet pejibaye, Costa Rica's starchy, nutty peach palm fruit, its health benefits, and where to find it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Crack the orange shell and slurp the sweet, jelly-covered seeds — meet granadilla, Costa Rica's sweet passion fruit, its health benefits, and where to find it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Meet cas — Costa Rica's tart wild guava and the fruit behind the beloved fresco de cas — plus its health benefits and where to try it in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Hairy, red, and sweet inside — meet mamón chino (rambutan), Costa Rica's beloved seasonal treat, when it's in season, and its health benefits.
September 23, 2026Vivid pink skin, speckled white or magenta flesh — meet pitahaya, Costa Rica's stunning cactus fruit, its two varieties, and its health benefits.
September 23, 2026Knobby, pungent, and prized for centuries — meet noni (Morinda citrifolia), the tropical "cheese fruit" ticos turn into a natural tonic, and its health benefits.
September 23, 2026The big spiky green fruit behind Costa Rica's creamiest batidos — meet the guanabana (soursop), its tangy-sweet white pulp, and how to try one in Jaco.
September 23, 2026Shaved ice, bright fruit syrups, and sweet condensed milk — meet the granizado, Costa Rica's creamy take on the snow cone, and where to find one in Jaco.
September 23, 2026Fly into San José (SJO) — it's only about 90 minutes from Jaco Beach. Here's why, plus the easiest ways to get from the airport to your villa.
September 23, 2026The traditional tico way to brew coffee — a wooden chorreador and a cloth sock filter make the smoothest cup you'll ever pour. Here's the step-by-step method.
September 23, 2026The authentic Costa Rican breakfast — gallo pinto, fried eggs, sweet plantains, natilla, fried cheese and warm tortillas, cooked in your villa.
September 23, 2026Fried eggs with salsa and beans, toast with jam, gallo pinto, a seared pork chop and fresh fruit — a hearty plate with a Costa Rican kick.
September 23, 2026A toasted bagel sandwich with eggs, cheddar and bacon, cream cheese, sautéed breakfast potatoes and a warm cinnamon-sugar churro.
September 23, 2026Restaurant-quality dining cooked in your villa, no reservations, and cheaper than all other private chefs in Jaco. Here's why travelers book.
September 22, 2026Turn dinner into the highlight of your Costa Rica trip — a custom menu, cooked fresh in your villa, for any occasion.
September 22, 2026Simple flat pricing, no grocery markups, and you only pay for the food you eat — often less than eating out with your group.
September 22, 2026Wake up to a real American breakfast in your villa — eggs, bacon, pancakes, hash browns and fresh tropical batidos. Six signature plates to choose from.
September 22, 2026Scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, hash browns, toast and fresh watermelon — a detailed look at the plate, cooked in your villa.
September 22, 2026Fluffy pancakes with warm maple syrup, fried eggs, breakfast sausage and fresh orange slices — cooked fresh, served hot.
September 22, 2026Breakfast burritos with eggs, ham and cheese, fried potatoes, gallo pinto and fresh papaya — a real taste of Costa Rica.
September 22, 2026Book a private chef in Jaco Beach for your bachelor party, wedding, or family trip — restaurant-quality meals cooked in your villa.
September 22, 2026The best luxury villa rentals in Jaco Beach for bachelor parties, wedding parties and large groups — with a private chef available.
September 22, 2026The best tours in Jaco Beach plus party boats and sport fishing charters — snorkel tours, ATVs, waterfalls, private yacht charters and offshore fishing.
September 22, 2026A private chef in Jacó means restaurant-quality meals in your own villa — no reservations, no driving, no dishes. Here's why it's the easiest upgrade to your Costa Rica trip.
September 21, 2026A multi-course private dinner cooked in your Jacó villa — no reservations, no driving, no dishes to wash. Here's how an in-villa dinner works.
September 22, 2026Start your Jacó mornings with a chef-made breakfast in your villa — American classics, fresh tropical fruit, and real Costa Rican coffee, no cooking required.
September 23, 2026Gallo pinto, casado, fresh plantains and more — authentic Costa Rican cooking made with local market ingredients, served in your Jacó villa.
September 24, 2026Fresh Pacific lobster, shrimp, and seafood — prepped and cooked to order in your Jacó villa by your private chef. Here's what a seafood night looks like.
September 25, 2026A whole roasted pig with grilled pineapple and island sides — the Jaco Beach Chef signature feast at $45 per person, food included. Perfect for big groups.
September 26, 2026A relaxed champagne brunch with fresh mimosas, a tropical fruit spread, and all the favorites — served in your villa by your private chef in Jacó.
September 23, 2026Hand-crafted gourmet burgers, fresh-cut fries, and casual favorites the whole group will love — cooked in your Jacó villa. Not every night needs to be fancy.
September 28, 2026Private chef event catering in Jacó — birthdays, weddings, and group celebrations at your villa or on the beach, using any of our menus at standard pricing.
September 29, 2026Skip the grocery run on day one — I shop and stock your Jacó villa's kitchen and bar before you arrive, so your vacation starts the moment you walk in.
September 30, 2026Costa Rican batidos — fresh tropical fruit smoothies made with mango, papaya, pineapple, and more, blended to order by your private chef in Jacó.
October 1, 2026Jaco Beach Chef pricing is simple: $10 per person, per plate, plus food cost and a 13% service charge. You only pay for the food you eat. Here's the breakdown.
October 2, 2026Traveling with kids or a big family? Every Jaco Beach Chef menu is fully customizable — picky eaters welcome. Here's how I keep the whole group happy.
October 3, 2026Great meals start at the market. See how Jaco Beach Chef sources fresh local fruit, produce, and ingredients every day — the secret behind every plate.
October 4, 2026