Costa Rica Beaches

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Dominicalito Costa Rica

Location: between Dominical and Hermosa beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Dominicalito Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.233960, -83.840889 (9°14’02.25″N, 83°50’27.20″W)
District: Bahia Ballena, canton: Osa, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60504.

Dominicalito Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful beach just over 1 km long, with gray sands and calm blue waters surrounded by lush vegetation, located from the area known as Rocas Amancio, to Punta Dominical in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica.

Dominicalito is, unlike its neighboring beaches, curvaceous type, so it has gentle surf, making it ideal for sun and sea, and practicing some water sports like swimming, diving, SUP paddling (Stand Up Paddling), boat trips and fishing.

Thanks to its location near Dominical and Uvita, Dominicalito Beach offers visitors different options not only tourism, but also a variety of restaurants and types of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Getting to Dominicalito Beach in Osa, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 147 km (91 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita, Quepos, Matapalo, Hatillo y Dominical. Some 3.5 km (2 miles) after Dominical turn right following the Dominicalito beach signs for about 100 m (350ft) until you reach the beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 147 km (91 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita, Quepos, Matapalo, Hatillo y Dominical. Some 3.5 km (2 miles) after Dominical turn right following the Dominicalito beach signs for about 100 m (350ft) until you reach the beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, 2221-4214 / 2777-0318 / 2223-5567), making the stop at Dominicalito beach entrance, which takes about 5 hours.

You can also take a bus from the route San José – San Isidro de El General (MUSOC, 2222-2422) which takes about 4 hours, and then take another bus San Isidro de El General – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Blanco, 2771-4744) making the stop at Dominicalito beach entrance, which takes about 1.5 hours.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Dominicalito Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Dominical Costa Rica

Location: between Barú and Dominicalito beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Dominical Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.252735, -83.864792 (9°15’09.84″N, 83°51’53.25″W)
District: Bahia Ballena, canton: Osa, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60504.

Dominical Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful beach about 2 km long, with dark sands and blue waters of the open sea type with big waves surrounded by lush vegetation, with rocky areas and small coves at the edges, located from the mouth of Baru River in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Dominical Beach is one of the country’s most famous beaches for surfing, since, because it is a beach open sea type, at high tide form sizable waves, perfect for those with experience. Furthermore, Dominical beach is also ideal for enjoying the sun and sea, doing some water sports like swimming, diving and deep sea fishing, always taking precautions, especially swimmers, when bathing time for the characteristic of the open sea and heavy swells.

Furthermore, Dominical Beach visitors can also choose from several land-based activities such as horseback riding, hikings, long walks, or, for the more adventurous, can practice some canopy, since Dominical has a good infrastructure and tourist facilities offering its visitors different options not only for tours, but also different restaurants and types of accommodation to suit all budgets.

Getting to Dominical Beach in Osa, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 144 km (90 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita, Quepos, Matapalo and Hatillo. Some 24 km (15 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Dominical signs for about 1 km (0.5 miles) until you reach Dominical beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 144 km (90 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita, Quepos, Matapalo and Hatillo. Some 24 km (15 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Dominical signs for about 1 km (0.5 miles) until you reach Dominical beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2221-4214 / +506 2777-0318 / +506 2223-5567), which takes about 5 hours.

You can also take a bus from the route San José – San Isidro de El General (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422) which takes about 4 hours, and then take another bus San Isidro de El General – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744) which takes about 1.5 hours.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Dominical Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Location: between Guapil and Dominical beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Barú Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.273482, -83.883365 (9°16’24.53″N, 83°53’00.11″W)
Barú Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.266570, -83.883575 (9°15’59.65″N, 83°53’00.87″W)
District: Savegre, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60602.

  

Barú Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful, pristine and quiet beach with dark sands and blue waters of the open sea type surrounded by lush vegetation, awarded with the Ecological Blue Flag, located inside the Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

In fact, one of its main attractions is the lush vegetation and its great potential of fresh water. On the other hand, the beach has a well developed mangrove that serves as a natural habitat to the most varied species as a complement to life itself from the sea and rivers with more than 310 species of birds counted, 57 species of mammals (including bats) and reptiles and amphibians that run the gamut from caimans to red-eyed tree frogs and tiny, colorful, poison-dart frogs. Also, Humpback whales pass by offshore from December to April, and Olive Ridley and Hawksbill sea turtles lay eggs on the beach from May through November, not to mention the charming dolphins who also inhabit these warm waters. Also, Baru Beach is in a nesting area completely controlled, which is why it is highly recommended for observation and scientific tourism thanks to the great variety of flora and wildlife in it.

Barú Beach is ideal to relax, unwind and enjoy the sun and sea in a relaxed atmosphere, away from everything, or to practice some water sports like swimming, diving, snorkeling and fishing, among others, always taking precautions, especially swimmers, when bathing time for the characteristic of the open sea and heavy swells, especially toward the southeast at the mouth of the Barú River. In addition, Barú Beach visitors can also choose from several land-based activities such as horseback rides, hikes with naturalists or native guides, long Mangrove and Beach Walks, can kayak through mangroves, no experience necessary; try whitewater kayaking; or experience a guided night estuary tour by kayak. Furthermore, an incredible experience awaits those who ascend into the canopy by rope. Harnessed and helmeted, the visitor is gently lifted more than 30m (100ft) to an observation platform, with fantastic views of canopy vegetation and surrounding forest guaranteed.

At Barú Beach you can spend a night in the jungle, camping in tents next to a shelter with flush toilets and shower, or, the Hacienda Barú Refuge has six two- and three-bedroom units with double and single beds, kitchenettes, fans, screened windows with shutters and bamboo sofas. This way visitors can observe nocturnal animals; take a night hike or morning bird-watching.

Getting to Baru Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 141 km (88 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 21 km (13 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge signs for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Barú beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 141 km (88 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 21 km (13 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge signs for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Barú beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2221-4214 / +506 2777-0318 / +506 2223-5567), making the stop at Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge entrance, which takes about 5 hours. The bus will stop at the entrance to Hacienda Barú if you ask the driver to let you off there. However, don’t trust the driver to remember. Watch for our sign on the right and ring the buzzer. There is a gas station immediately after our entrance. From here, you must walk to Barú Beach.

You can also take a bus from the route San José – San Isidro de El General (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422) which takes about 4 hours, and then take another bus San Isidro de El General – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744) which takes about 1.5 hours, making the stop at Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge entrance, which takes about 5 hours.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Baru Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Location: between Hatillo and Baru beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Guapil Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.294099, -83.900871 (9°17’38.75″N, 83°54’03.13″W)
Guapil Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.273207, -83.892029 (9°16’23.54″N, 83°53’31.30″W)
District: Savegre, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60602.

  

Guapil Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful and quiet beach with dark sands and blue waters of the open sea type surrounded by lush vegetation located in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Guapil Beach is ideal to relax, unwind and enjoy the sun and sea in a relaxed atmosphere, away from everything, or to practice some water sports like swimming, diving, snorkeling and fishing, among others, always taking precautions, especially swimmers, when bathing time for the characteristic of the open sea and heavy swells.

Getting to Guapil Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 140 km (87 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 20 km (12 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Guapil Beach signs for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Linda beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose. There is another way to get to Guapil Beach and it is through the entrance to Baru Beach, located 1 km after the entrance to Guapil, then follow the road parallel to the beach until you reach Guapil.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 140 km (87 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 20 km (12 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right following the Guapil Beach signs for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Linda beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours. There is another way to get to Guapil Beach and it is through the entrance to Baru Beach, located 1 km after the entrance to Guapil, then follow the road parallel to the beach until you reach Guapil.

Guapil Beach Costa Rica by Bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2221-4214 / +506 2777-0318 / +506 2223-5567), making the stop at Guapil beach entrance, which takes about 5 hours. From here, you must walk to Guapil Beach.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Guapil Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

More Guapil Beach Photos

Location: between Matapalo and Hatillo beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Linda Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.319294, -83.942627 (9°19’09.45″N, 83°56’33.45″W)
Linda Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.310292, -83.944351 (9°18’37.05″N, 83°56’39.66″W)
District: Savegre, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60602.

Linda Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful beach with dark sands and blue waters of the open sea type surrounded by lush vegetation constituted mainly by almond and coconut trees, located in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Linda is one of the most beautiful parts of the Central Pacific coast of the country, ideal to relax, unwind and enjoy the sun and sea, or to practice some water sports like swimming, diving, snorkeling and fishing, among others, always taking precautions, especially swimmers, when bathing time for the characteristic of the open sea and heavy swells.

Getting to Linda Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 132 km (82 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 12 km (7 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right for about 1 km (0.5 miles), then turn left and continue for 500 m (1,650ft) until you reach Linda beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 132 km (82 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 12 km (7 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right for about 1 km (0.5 miles), then turn left and continue for 500 m (1,650ft) until you reach Linda beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

Linda Beach Costa Rica by Bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, +506 2221-4214 / +506 2777-0318 / +506 2223-5567), making the stop at Matapalo beach, which takes about 5 hours. From Matapalo, you must take a taxi or walk to Linda Beach.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Linda Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.    

More Linda Beach Photos

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Matapalo Costa Rica

Location: between Savegre and Linda beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Matapalo Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.337196, -83.961884 (9°20’13.90″N, 83°57’42.78″W)
Matapalo Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.319643, -83.958553 (9°19’10.71″N, 83°57’30.79″W)
District: Savegre, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60602.

Matapalo Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful and wide beach about 8 km (11 miles) long, with dark sands and blue waters of the open sea type surrounded by lush vegetation constituted mainly by almond and coconut trees, ranging from Savegre River to Hatillo Nuevo River mouths in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Matapalo Beach is one of the most beautiful parts of the Central Pacific coast of the country, so it is emerging as an alternative to the beaches of Manuel Antonio and Dominical, providing additional opportunities to explore, such as large forests, rivers and tropical landscapes in a more relaxed atmosphere. Also, Matapalo Beach is ideal to relax, unwind and enjoy the sun and sea, or to practice some water sports like swimming, diving, snorkeling and fishing, among others. However, swimmers should take precautions when bathing time for the characteristic of the open sea and heavy swells.

On the other hand, it is recommended to visit the Savegre River to all those in search of unconventional tourism options, that are related to adventure tourism, ecotourism and beaches and mountain excursions.

Getting to Matapalo Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 130 km (80 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 10 km (6 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Matapalo beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 130 km (80 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos. Some 10 km (6 miles) after the Savegre River bridge turn right for about 1.5 km (1 mile) until you reach Matapalo beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Dominical / Uvita (Transportes Delio Morales, 2221-4214 / 2777-0318 / 2223-5567), making the stop at Matapalo beach, which takes about 5 hours.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Matapalo Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Read more

Location: between Manuel Antonio and Puerto Escondido beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Gemelas Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.391385,-84.149654 (9°23’28.98″N, 84°08’58.75″W)
Gemelas Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.379899,-84.139823 (9°22’47.63″N, 84°08’23.36″W)
District: Quepos, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60601.

Gemelas Beach Costa Rica is a quiet and intimate little beach with white sands and clear blue waters, located inside of Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, named for its view of the Twin Islands (Islas Gemelas in Spanish) just offshore.

Gemelas Beach is one of the less crowded beaches at the park, due to its super strong currents with hidden rocks beneath the surface, making swimming difficult, if not dangerous. Also, there is a more secluded section of this beach accessible at low tide by walking around a small rock outcropping.

Gemelas Beach is accessed only by following one of the park’s nature trails. It’s fairly easy walk on mostly flat ground, but visitors have to come at low tide, otherwise Gemelas beach totally submerged at high tide.

Getting to Gemelas Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Manuel Antonio National Park. You need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Gemelas beach is inside. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Manuel Antonio National Park. You need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Gemelas beach is inside. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Quepos / Manuel Antonio (Transportes Morales, +506 2221-4214 / +506 2777-0318), making the stop at Manuel Antonio National Park, which takes about 4 hours. From here, you need to enter to Manuel Antonio National Park, and you need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Gemelas beach is inside.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Gemelas Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

More Gemelas Beach Photos

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Location: between Espadilla Sur and Gemelas beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.391385,-84.149654 (9°23’28.98″N, 84°08’58.75″W)
Manuel Antonio Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.381940,-84.143948 (9°22’54.98″N, 84°08’38.21″W)
District: Quepos, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60601.

Manuel Antonio Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful and idyllic white sanded beach with crystal clear turquoise waters and a small coral reef, surrounded by thick forested green hills and fascinating jungle blended with a network of trails and a welcoming and abundant wildlife, located within the Manuel Antonio National Park, on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Manuel Antonio Beach is separated from Playa Espadilla Sur by a tombolo, a natural land bridge formed over the years through the accumulation of sand, and both, Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio Beach, offer tidal pools brimming with minnows and crayfish, so diving is a very good option, especially during the dry season from early December until late April, when the water is clearer.

Manuel Antonio Beach also offers a variety of activities to do, such as hiking the trails of the park, whitewater rafting, ocean cruising, horseback riding, fishing, sea kayaking, just to name but a few. And the volcanic-sedimentary cliffs rise steeply from the shoreline, providing scenic views and hiking trails.

Manuel Antonio Beach is definitely one of the most exuberant places in Costa Rica, with spectacular forests that host a wealth of wildlife, including all four species of monkeys – Howler, Spider, Capuchin and Squirrel or Titi, Two and Three-toed Sloths, coaties, raccoons, marmosets, ocelots, toed anteaters, pacas, iguanas, millions of colorful little crabs and also Olive Ridley and Green turtles occasionally come ashore at Manuel Antonio Beach. Additionally, over 350 species of birds have been recorded, such as sea birds, Toucans and Scarlet Macaws.

However, be careful with the Capuchin Monkeys, who will steal food and anything else that they can get in their hands. Even though it is illegal to feed the monkeys, insensitive people still do it. Note that if you’re caught, you may, quite rightly, be ejected from the park. Recent studies have found a worrisome increase in heart disease and heart failure among the local monkey population. Unfortunately, the animals are much more prone to rises in cholesterol than humans, so please do not leave food lying around.

In the other hand, the popularity of Manuel Antonio has brought its own difficulties. With over 150,000 visitors a year comes the problem of overuse, so it was decided to close the park, which is the same entrance to Manuel Antonio Beach, on Mondays and limit the number to 600 a day. It is essential, therefore, to arrive early, before the quota has been reached.

Manuel Antonio Beach has bathrooms and showers, but do not have any type of accommodations or restaurants and no camping is allowed, but there are a lot of hotels in the vicinity to suit all pockets.

Getting to Manuel Antonio Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Manuel Antonio National Park. You need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Manuel Antonio beach is inside. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Manuel Antonio National Park. You need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Manuel Antonio beach is inside. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Quepos / Manuel Antonio (Transportes Morales, 2221-4214 / 2777-0318), making the stop at Manuel Antonio National Park, which takes about 4 hours. From here, you need to enter to Manuel Antonio National Park, and you need to pay the park’s entrance fee, as Manuel Antonio beach is inside.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Manuel Antonio Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Espadilla Norte Costa Rica

Location: between Playitas and Espadilla Sur beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Espadilla Norte Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.391385,-84.149654 (9°23’28.98″N, 84°08’58.75″W)
District: Quepos, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60601.

Espadilla Norte Beach Costa Rica is a unique destination with white sands and clear blue waters in a long and wide beach located meters away from Manuel Antonio National Park entrance, in Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. In fact, is the largest and most popular beach in Manuel Antonio.

Its great atmosphere plus lush natural beauty turns this beach into a truly paradise. The landscape at Espadilla Norte Beach is beautifully accented by its incredible amount of tropical vegetation with stately palm trees, as well as its Coral reefs and abundant wildlife with species such as raccoons, porcupines, sloths and monkeys, that simply enchant all visitors. Its cliffs maintain the original vegetation and in their bases in shallow waters visitors can see lots of small fish and coral colonies, which must be protected so that they can be exploited for scientific tourism. In the rainy season the weather is nice for tourists, since generally the rain cools the air, and also, during this time, the endless stretch of sand reflects the sky’s beautiful, billowing clouds. On the other hand, both North and South Espadilla beaches, have been awarded under the Blue Flag award.

North Espadilla Beach is very popular, and tend to get slightly crowded, however, even when crowded, the beach is so long that you can find space to spread out in the sun or in the shade of the surrounding palms and almond trees. This is a beach ideal for swimming, sunning, and practice some water sports, such as surfing, kayaking, boat trips, jet skiing and fishing, as here abound snapper, snook, mullet, pomfret, etc., just to name a few. Also, North Espadilla is safer than most beaches due to the presence of lifeguards, an uncommon sight on public beaches in Costa Rica. Even though swimming here can be dangerous because of the unpredictable riptides and currents.

North Espadilla Beach has smooth and consistent waves, better known to have strong rip currents in spite of their small size, so surfers fall in love with the exciting each breaks found here, especially when the tide comes in.

North Espadilla Beach is accessible to the general public and tends to receive more visitors than the beaches inside the park. The town of Manuel Antonio itself has a wonderful tourism infrastructure that respects wildlife species, as well as the jungle flora found everywhere. Here you can find many restaurants, shops and street-vendors options, even a surf shop.

Getting to Espadilla Norte Beach in Aguirre, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Espadilla Norte beach, just before the park entrance. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 100 km (63 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita, taking the Quepos exit, just after Parrita. Follow the road until you reach the town of Quepos, and then turn left following the signs to Manuel Antonio National Park through the mountain for about 6.5 km (4 miles) until you reach Espadilla Norte beach, just before the park entrance. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Quepos / Manuel Antonio (Transportes Morales, 2221-4214 / 2777-0318), making the stop at Manuel Antonio National Park, which takes about 4 hours, as Espadilla Norte beach is just at the park entrance.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Espadilla Norte Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Location: between Palma (Bandera) and Isla Damas beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Palo Seco Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.521240,-84.321102 (9°31’16.46N, 84°19’15.96″W)
District: Parrita, canton: Parrita, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60901.

  

Palo Seco Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful, pristine and unspoiled 9 km (5 mile) long palm tree lined beach, usually deserted even though it is very close to Manuel Antonio National Park. This beach has greys sands and blue waters located on the Central Pacific area, near the town of Parrita. The beach has the Pacific Ocean on its southern shore, the Pirris River mouth to the West and the Palo Seco Estuary on its northern shore. This estuary is a popular area for mangrove tours to view its vast wildlife such as white-faced monkeys and an a great variety of birds. Also, the local Palo Seco Elementary School has a sea turtle sanctuary program which has helped to protect, hatch and release thousands of “Baby Sea Turtles” whose mothers come ashore here to lay their eggs, being the best time to see the baby sea turtle hatchlings from August through November.

Also, the navigable estuary at Palo Seco Beach offers great fishing for snook (robalo), snapper and grouper, so gives a great opportunity to get on the water and see some incredible wildlife firsthand. In fact, the world record snook was caught from the surf on this beach. In the other hand, the estuary is also home to crocodiles, toucans, scarlet macaws, monkeys, sloths and more.

Palo Seco Beach is indeed a hidden jewel of the Central Pacific area in Parrita, Puntarenas, costa Rica, a medium sized Costa Rican town that offers pretty much of what any homeowner or vacationer might need such as banks, health clinics, groceries, stores, restaurants, bars, small hotels, and more. Also, a full service hospital is located in Quepos, just 25 minutes away. The mountains and town of Parrita, 10 minutes away, rise above the estuary and offer vacationers many delights such as canopy tours, white-water rafting, quad and jungle tours, hot springs, waterfalls and more.

If you ever wanted to see a truly unspoiled Costa Rican beach then you must visit Palo Seco Beach, where every late afternoon offers a chance to see a picture-postcard sunsets, where one feels apart from the hustle and bustle of the larger beach towns yet close enough to them by 20-30 minutes should one want to go. Palo Seco Beach is ideal to just seat and relax, or you can also practice some water sports such as swimming, diving, snorkeling or surfing, trying to not be on the nearest areas from the mouth of the river, as they have strong waves and currents.

Although Palo Seco Beach is hidden away, is still only one and half hour away from San Jose, and it has easy access year round.

Getting to Palo Seco Beach in Parrita, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 80 km (50 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita. Turn right at the Palo Seco Beach entrance and continue for some 4.5 km (3 miles) until you reach the beach. This route requires a total of 3 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 80 km (50 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river and the towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Esterillos and Parrita. Turn right at the Palo Seco Beach entrance and continue for some 4.5 km (3 miles) until you reach the beach. This route requires a total of 4.5 hours.

Palo Seco Beach By Bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Quepos / Manuel Antonio TRACOPA (Google Maps, WAZE, web, phone: +506 2221-4214), making the stop at Parrita, which takes about 4 hours. From here, you can take a taxi o walk to Palo Seco beach.

Address map: Click here to view address map from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Palo Seco Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica