Jaco, Costa Rica
Written By Duncan Walgreen and Luna Sky
As January draws near, Costa Rica once again readies itself for one of its most anticipated underground experiences. OCASO Festival returns for its ninth year on January 23 and 24, transforming the lush Pacific coastline just south of Jacó into a two-night immersion of music, art, and nature.
Located only ten minutes south of Jacó and roughly ninety minutes from San José, OCASO has become synonymous with a setting that feels equal parts intimate and otherworldly. Open land, warm jungle air, and expansive skies replace concrete and city noise, creating a space where music breathes differently. From the moment you arrive, it is clear this is not a typical festival environment. It is an escape that feels deliberately removed from the familiar city stage formula.
The 2026 lineup arrives stacked with global talent and carefully curated depth. Vintage Culture and BLOND:ISH headline the weekend, bringing their unmistakable energy and worldwide influence to the Costa Rican coast. Discip and Dombresky join them, artists celebrated for their ability to command dance floors while keeping things playful, deep, and relentlessly groovy. Adding another dimension to the weekend, Magdalena has been announced as a new addition, delivering her signature melodic richness and emotional storytelling in a way that feels perfectly aligned with OCASO’s jungle atmosphere.
While the headliners draw attention, OCASO’s true magic lies in its depth and flow. More than forty supporting artists shape the weekend into a continuous journey from daylight into the early morning hours. The programming moves effortlessly, blending rising regional talent with trusted selectors who understand how to guide a crowd rather than chase trends. Names like Yokai of Orlando, WAGS of Chicago, and Cut and Sew reinforce the sense that every booking serves a purpose. This is a lineup built with intention, not spectacle.
At the heart of the festival stands OCASO’s iconic turtle shaped stage, now a defining symbol of the event itself. Fully projection mapped and designed to awaken after dark, the stage feels alive as visuals ripple across its shell. It stands as both centerpiece and guardian, merging cutting edge technology with the surrounding natural landscape. As night falls, the turtle becomes a glowing canvas, pulling the crowd deeper into the experience and blurring the line between music, environment, and art.
What truly sets OCASO apart is its balance. The production is powerful without overwhelming its surroundings. The sound is immersive without becoming exhausting. The
festival proudly embraces its underground electronic identity, creating a space where connection takes precedence over excess. The crowd feels unified, not just with the artists, but with the land itself. Muddy shoes, sun kissed skin, and late-night smiles become badges of honor. Mornings begin with stories traded over coffee and shared laughs about the night before.
Over the years, OCASO has quietly built a legacy that rivals festivals many times its size. Its history includes performances from artists who have gone on to define modern dance music culture, including John Summit, The Martinez Brothers, Hot Since 82, Chris Lake, Adriatique, Claptone, Guy Gerber, Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, and Amelie Lens, alongside countless others who have left their mark beneath the Costa Rican sky. That legacy adds weight to every new edition, reminding attendees that OCASO is not about chasing moments, but about cultivating them year after year.
As the festival steps into its ninth year, it is clear that OCASO has grown without losing its soul. It remains deeply rooted in Costa Rica’s natural beauty while welcoming an international community drawn together by sound, setting, and shared experience. For two nights in January, the jungle just south of Jacó becomes a meeting point where music echoes through the trees, visuals glow against the darkness, and OCASO once again proves why it continues to stand apart. January 23 and 24 cannot come soon enough.
Ready to jump into the jungle?
For more info and to get tickets go to: ocasofestival.com
Follow Ocaso on IG: Instagram.com/ocasofestival
