Costa Rica Beaches

Location: between Bajamar and Azul beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.832894,-84.673599 (9°49’58.41″N, 84°40’24.95″W)
Guacalillo Beach entrance GPS Coordenates: 9.851475,-84.655227 (9°51’05.31″N, 84°39’18.81″W)
District: Tarcoles, canton: Garabito, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 61102.

Guacalillo Beach Costa Rica is a long beach of about 4km of dark gray sands, surrounded by lush natural beauty that includes forests, mangroves and lagoons that serve as nesting area for many birds, including the spectacular Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).

Guacalillo is located in the canton of Garabito in the province of Puntarenas, just 1 hour from San Jose and 30 minutes from Jaco. In fact, this closeness makes it very attractive. Furthermore, Guacalillo beach is ideal for fishing. However, due to its proximity to the mouth of Jesus Maria and the Tarcoles rivers, bathing in the area is dangerous, since alligators go from the river to the sea.

Getting to Guacalillo Beach in Garabito, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. When you see Pozón exit (to Jaco), you need to continue along the same route #27, for about 4 km (2.5 miles) more, until you reach the exit for Guacimo and Ceiba on your right, take it and continue for about 12 km (7.5 miles) until you reach Guacalillo beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once in Puntarenas, continue on highway #27 towards San Jose for about 20 km (12.5 miles) until you reach the exit to Guacimo and Ceiba, turn right and continue for about 12 km (7.5 miles) until you get to Guacalillo beach. This route requires a total of 2 hours.

By bus

There are no public buses to Guacalillo, however, you can take a bus from the route San José – Orotina (+506 2233-9695 ó +506 2427-9146) at the Coca Cola bus station 16th st, 1-3 avenue, which takes about 1.5 hours, and then take another bus from the route Orotina – Puntarenas (+506 2428-8462, Orotina Park side) making the stop at Guacimo and Ceiba exit, which takes about 30 minutes. However, it is recommended to take a taxi from Orotina to Guacalillo beach, as the last 10 km must be done by foot.

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Guacalillo Beach in La Cruz, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Location: between Tivives and Guacalillos beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.846083,-84.682102 (9°50’45.89″N, 84°40’55.56″W)
Bajamar Beach entrance GPS Coordenates: 9.851475,-84.655227 (9°51’05.31″N, 84°39’18.81″W)
District: Tarcoles, canton: Garabito, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 61102.

Bajamar Beach Costa Rica is a long beach of dark gray sands and blue sea with crystal clear water, with rock formations to the south and surrounded by lush natural beauty that includes forests, mangroves and lagoons that serve as nesting area for many birds, including the spectacular Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao).

Bajamar is located in the canton of Garabito, Puntarenas province, just 1 hour from San Jose and 30 minutes from Jaco. In fact, this closeness gives it a very big attraction.

However, due to its proximity to the mouth of the Jesus Maria and Tarcoles Rivers, bathing in the area is dangerous, since alligators can go from the river to the sea.

Getting to Bajamar Beach in Garabito, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on highway #27. After the Pozón exit (to Jaco), continue along the same highway for about 4 km ( miles) more, until you reach the exit for Guacimo and Ceiba on your right, take it and continue for about 10 km ( miles) to Bajamar beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast toward Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the exit to Puntarenas, continue on highway #27 towards San Jose for about 20 km ( miles) until you reach the exit to Guacimo and Ceiba, take it and continue for about 10 km ( miles) to Bajamar beach. This route requires a total of 2 hours.

By bus

There are no public buses to Bajamar, however, you can take a bus from the route San José – Orotina (+506 2233-9695 ó +506 2427-9146) at the Coca Cola bus station 16th st, 1-3 avenue, which takes about 1.5 hours, and then take another bus from the route Orotina – Puntarenas (+506 2428-8462, Orotina Park side) making the stop at Guacimo and Ceiba exit, which takes about 30 minutes. However, it is recommended to take a taxi from Orotina to Bajamar beach, as the last 10 km must be done by foot.

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Bajamar Beach in La Cruz, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

More Bajamar Beach Costa Rica Photos

Location: between Doña Ana and Tivives beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Caldera Beach GPS Coordenates: 9.923993,-84.714117 (9°55’26.37″N, 84°42’50.82″W)
District: Espiritu Santo, canton: Esparza, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60201.

Caldera Beach Costa Rica better known as “Puerto Caldera” (Caldera Port), is a 3.5 km long beach with gray sands, blue waters with strong waves and impressive steep cliffs, located 28km south of Puntarenas, or 26 km west of Orotina.

Caldera is a very attractive recreational area, which surroundings has a dry tropical forest transition to moist. In fact, this unspoiled natural beauty of the region is one of Caldera’s beach main attractions. Its rain forest, which start just inside the coastline and continue up into the mountain ranges, has beautiful rivers, waterfalls, parks and wildlife preserves, as the Tivives Protected zone, an important forest area that protects one of the last remaining tropical dry coastal forest in the Central Pacific Region, that is located 5 km south of the port.

Caldera Beach is ideal for enjoying the sun, sea and beach, taking precautions when bathing as both, the sea and the estuary at low tide, as it have strong currents. Also, the estuary may be toured by boat to observe the vegetation and wildlife of the mangrove swamp. On the other hand, in the vicinity of Caldera beach is the Coyolar Hill, from which visitors can see the beauty of the landscape. In fact, this area is also often used for paragliding from the cliffs overlooking the bay of Caldera, perfect for adventure travelers in search of some action.

Caldera Beach is also home to the largest and more important commercial shipping port complex for both cruise ships and cargo vessels of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Caldera began functioning as a port in 1577, time when foreign maritime commerce was transferred there from Puntarenas City in 1834. The Caldera port that is currently used was created artificially in 1978, beginning operations until 1981, after it was discontinued for the main commercial uses the one in Puntarenas, a small and outdated for deep draft vessels. This brought new industries, more tourists and other development for the nation and also serves as the primary access point from the Pacific Coast to the historic capital San Jose. Currently it is managed by the Port Authority of Caldera, a Colombian company, who has a contract with Costa Rica of indefinite duration for the port administration. Caldera port plays a vital role in trade between Costa Rica and the world.

Getting to Caldera Beach in Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on highway #27, passing through the three tolls, until you get to Caldera beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast toward Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, turn right and continue for about 13 km (8 miles) until you get to Caldera beach. This route requires a total of 2 hours.

BY BUS

You can take a bus from the route San José – Puntarenas (Empresarios Unidos, +506 2222-0064), which takes about 2 hours, making the stop at Caldera beach. It is recommend buying the ticket a day early to ensure your space.

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

Location: between Chacarita and Caldera beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Puntarenas Beach GPS Coordenates: 9.957674,-84.735141 (9°57’27.62″N, 84°44’06.50″W)
District: Espiritu Santo canton: Esparza, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60201.

Doña Ana Beach Costa Rica is a beautiful beach about 700m long, with gray sands and crystal blue waters of waves ranging from moderate to strong, located at the Barranca River mouth, 10 km south of Puntarenas.

Doña Ana has an irregular coastline, with some cliffs and rock formations at both ends of the beach, which represent a natural beauty. Also, here is the mouth of the Barranca River, which margins abounds of mangrove vegetation.

Doña Ana beach is now a protected tourist whereabouts by the ICT (Costa Rican Institute of Tourism), so it has a very good infrastructure, with ranches with grill, restrooms, showers, restaurant. Therefore, it is necessary to pay a fee to enter.

Doña Ana beach is ideal for sun, sand and sea, doing activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking and fishing, as well as being recognized as an ideal spot for surfing.

Although Doña Ana beach is located at a convenient distance from the major tourist centers, as Puntarenas, it still retains a remote and isolated environment that can be tempting for adventurous tourists looking to get away from the crowds of the most popular ones, or, for those who want to experience the relaxed lifestyle of the “Tico”, which attracting visitors from around the world each year.

Getting to Doña Ana Beach in Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on highway #27 until you reach Caldera port. Once here, continue towards Puntarenas for about 5.5 km (3.5 miles), turn left at Doña Ana Beach Touristic Site and continue for about 100 m (320 ft) until you get to the beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast toward Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards San Jose for about 120 km (75 miles) until you get to the Puntarenas exit. Take it it and continue towards Caldera port for about 6 km (4 miles), turn right at Doña Ana Beach Touristic Site and continue for about 100 m (320 ft) until you get to the beach. This route requires a total of 2.5 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Puntarenas (Empresarios Unidos, +506 2222-0064), which takes about 2 hours, making the stop at Doña Ana Beach. It is recommend buying the ticket a day early to ensure your space.

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

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

Location: between Puntarenas and Doña Ana beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Puntarenas Beach GPS Coordenates: 9.974277,-84.753278 (9°58’27.39″N, 84°45’11.80″W)
District: Chacarita, canton: Puntarenas, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60112.

Chacarita Beach Costa Rica is a wide beach of gray sands and blue waters, located a few kilometers from the port of Puntarenas. In fact, it is often mistaken as part of Puntarenas beach, being the narrowness, “La Angostura” in Spanish, the limit with it.

Chacarita Beach is an excellent choice for enjoying the sea and sun, just 60 minutes from San Jose, in a more quiet environment compared to its neighboring beaches such as Puntarenas, Doña Ana and Caldera, without being far from all services. Furthermore, Chacarita beach is ideal for taking long walks along the coast, sunbathe or practice some water sports like swimming, diving and snorkeling.

Getting to Chacarita Beach in Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on highway #27. When you see Puntarenas exit, turn right and continue for about 1.5 km (1 mile), turn left until you reach the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital, turn right and then turn to your left again and continue for about 100m (320 ft) until you get to Chacarita beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast toward Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, turn right and continue for about 1.5 km (1 mile), turn left until you reach the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital, turn right and then turn to your left again and continue for about 100m (320 ft) until you get to Chacarita beach. This route requires a total of 2 hours.

By bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Puntarenas (Empresarios Unidos, 2222-0064), which takes about 2 hours. It is recommend buying the ticket a day early to ensure your space.

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

Location: next to Chacarita beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Puntarenas Beach GPS Coordenates: 9.974662,-84.844455 (9°58’28.78″N, 84°50’40.03″W)
District: Puntarenas, canton: Puntarenas, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 60101.

  

Bus · Restaurants · Hotels · Photos · Things to do

Puntarenas Beach Costa Rica is a large rectilinear type beach with dark gray sands and blue waters, located very close to the Central Valley, exactly a one-hour drive away from the capital, that features a wide range of attractions ideal for the sun, the beach and fishing from La Punta (“the Point”), which are complemented with protected zones, continental and insular areas. Its coasts are decked by plenty of islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural treasures, which makes Puntarenas a tourist destiny by excellence.

In fact, the city of Port of Puntarenas, which is at just four meters above sea level, is one of the most important tourist regions of Costa Rica, which has been the place for national and international tourism and recreation for years, as it offers a variety of quality tourist services, nice for stopovers, distribution, scales and excursions.

Puntarenas, which was generated by port activities and fishing, today has several hotels and cabins near the sea, as well as the well known all-included packages prevail in it’s touristic development, as well as plenty of restaurants, interesting buildings and historical sites. Also, Puntarenas boasts a cruise ship terminal at the remodeled Puntarenas Wharf, which has a series of piers and docking areas from which ferries depart for established tourist destinations such as Paquera and Cobano, as well as tours around the islands and mangrove swamps in the Puntarenas estuary.

The area between the wharf (Cruise Ship Terminal) and the place known as La Punta (“The Point”), where this extensive length of shoreline ends, is the preferred place for swimmers. Besides swimming, visitors can enjoy other water sports and activities, such as boat tours, parades, seaside concerts and many other recreational activities that creates an ideal environment for sharing culture with the people of Puntarenas. The carnival takes place in February, during the dry season, perfect weather for enjoying the beach and all the carnival’s events. Also, along the strip, tourists can make use of other facilities such as fields for playing sports, green areas, showers, restrooms and all the necessities for beach enjoyment.

Running parallel to Puntarenas main beach, is the Paseo de los Turistas (“Tourist Strip”), highly frequented for its variety of quality tourist services. It stretches from the Pacific Marine Park (the old train station) to La Punta. Here visitors can find several hotels, restaurants, bars, handicraft shops and stands where can enjoy traditional fruit salads and snow cones better known here as “Churchills”.

Getting to Puntarenas Beach in Puntarenas, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on highway #27. When you see Puntarenas exit, turn right and continue for about 12 km (7 miles) until you reach to Puntarenas beach. This route requires a total of one hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast toward Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway towards Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, turn right and continue for about 12 km (7 miles) until you reach to Puntarenas beach. This route requires a total of 2 hours.

Puntarenas Beach by Bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Puntarenas (Empresarios Unidos, +506 2222-0064), which takes about 2 hours. It is recommend buying the ticket a day early to ensure your space.

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

Puntarenas Beach Restaurants

• El Jorón
• Isla Coco’s Bar & Barbecue
• Las Delicias Del Puerto Seafood Restaurant
• Casa Almendro
• La Ostra Seafood

Puntarenas Beach Hotels

• Puerto Azul Hotel
• Yadran Beach Resort & Casino
• Puntarenas Beach Hotel
• Tioga Hotel
• Oasis del Pacífico Puntarenas Hotel

Things to do in Puntarenas Beach

• Pacific Marine Park
• Visit Tortuga Island with Costa Cat
• Bioluminescence Experience from Curú Wildlife Refuge

Puntarenas Beach Photos