Costa Rica

What’s in a Costa Rica Vacation - The Essentials Part 3: Beaches

By teletico ⋅ March 27, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

The final chapter in this first segment explores the last of what I like to call the Costa Rica Classics. After exploring my top three choices for rainforests and volcanoes we arrive at the beach. Costa Rica offers two magnificent coasts bordered by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea offering 800 miles of spectacular beaches ranging from black volcanic to beautiful white sand and gentle sky blue waters to massive 8-10 foot waves ideal for surfing. Some beaches are remote, empty, and seemingly untouched while others are home to resorts drawing scores of tourists and local vacationers on the weekends. Many of the beaches listed below have earned and maintain blue flag status, an international recognition for beaches committed to cleanliness and sustainable practices (Sorry Tamarindo!) This list of my top five beaches in Costa Rica is diverse and provides options and ideas for everyone, whatever your cup of tea (or coffee in this case) may be!

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Playas San Josecito, Nicuesa, & Cativo – These three beaches are probably the most remote, isolated, and deserted in all of Costa Rica. If you’re looking for peace, tranquility, and your own private beach for the day or even a week, this is the place to be. The beaches are located in the southern corner of the country, and due to inaccessibility, visitors can lay claim to being among the few who have actually set foot on these beaches. Located on the northeastern shores of the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf), the beaches are accessible by boat from Puerto Jimenez and Golfito. The beaches provide endless stretches of white sand beaches backed by lush tropical rainforest. This place is ideal for beach loving wildlife enthusiasts offering swimming and snorkeling in clear blue waters of the gulf, sun-bathing, kayaking, and hiking.

You can literally spend a a few days to a week on these beaches and never get tired of the atmosphere. From the trails leading to monkey and macaw inhabited rainforest and jungle waterfalls to the spectacular sunsets observed from the coast, this is paradise. There are a few excellent lodging options in the area that provide access to the beach as well as day tours and activities should you get tired of exploring on your own. Most hotels and lodges here are based on solid models of sustainable tourism (which I love), in an effort to maintain and preserve the natural setting. Hotels are located in and around Pierdras Blancas National Park, which shares the majority of biodiversity found on the Osa Peninsula. If you want to see wildlife on a larger scale, I’m talking groups of 10-15 monkeys or 20 scarlet macaws at one time, this is the place to be. Pierdras Blancas is also home to all five species of big cats found in Costa Rica as well as more than 300 species of birds.

Some may tell you its too much of a hastle to get here; ignore them. Once you arrive you will be impressed, satisfied, and content with your choice. Before I forget, the Golfo Dulce is probably best known for its marine biodiversity, offering countless schools of fish, big and small, as well as dolphins. It is also one of the only places in the world where schools of whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, have been observed. Take my advice: escape the tourist crowds and head down to this natural paradise where you can truly be one with nature. Granted, its not for everyone, but if you’re reading this and getting a hint of excitement, you know its for you.

Orientation: Playa San Joesito, Nicuesa, and Cativo are located on the northeastern shores of Golfo Dulce. The gulf lies in the southern pacific coast, bordering Osa Peninsula to the north.

Access: Golfito and Puerto Jimenez are accessible by domestic flights (45 min – 1 hour from San Jose) or rental car (8-10 hour drive from San Jose). The public bus is a nightmare due to the length of the journey, but is available for brave backpackers.

Ideal For: wildlife enthusiasts, beach lovers, sunset seekers, tranquil travelers, and couples.

Best Time to Visit: Jan-May (dry season).

Best Place to Stay: My favorite hotels here are Las Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, located on the outskirts of Pierdras Blancas National Park, and Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge located closer to the beach. Both options offer transportation from Golfito and offer incredible experiences in sustainable and responsible travel.

Best Kept/Un-kept Secrets: This place is easier to access than some may claim. Don’t pay any attention to the critics. I would recommend staying for a good 3-4 nights if you’re going to make the trip. Wildlife sightings are incredible in this area, both in the rainforest and in the waters of the Golfo Dulce. Be sure to take a boat or kayak tour of the Gulf during your stay. Friends of mine have reported seeing a school of 30-50 dolphins swimming with them at sunset during their kayak trip. I wish I was there! If you’re staying at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge be sure to visit the town of Gamba and the local school there for a meaningful cultural experience. If you’re interested in volunteer vacations, this is a great place to do it. There are many projects dedicated to wildlife preservation as well as the local communities here. Be sure to ask me if you’re interested in organizing. In fact, Las Esquinas is a great option for high school and college student groups looking for a combo adventure/volunteer/bio immersion trip!

Overall Rating: 5 of 5 stars!

Playa Uvita – Don’t let the lack of visitors to this off the beaten path destination fool you. This is one of my personal favorite beach destinations because you can literally have the entire beach to yourself. Golden sand and gentle waters provide an ideal setting for sunbathing and swimming. The beaches in Uvita provide spectacular sunsets and scenic views of Cano Island as well as the Osa Peninsula from some points. Visitors can also kayak or snorkel near the ranger’s station.

One of the most intriguing sights in all of Costa Rica can also be witnessed from this beach. On the northern end of the beach is the Whale’s Tail, a natural sand bar extending from the beach out into the ocean. The sandbar lives up to its name taking on the shape of a whale’s tail. During low tide you can walk out onto the tail with waves crashing all around you, an experience that must be seen and heard to due it justice. Now, this phenomenon might be seen as a coincidence if it where not for the frequent sightings of humpback whales that make there way along the coast during their migrations originating in California and Antarctica. In fact, the bay into which the tail extends out into is called Bahia Ballena, or Whale’s Bay. The bay and beach are part of Costa Rica’s Ballena National Marine Park, designated as Central America’s first national marine park, to preserve and protect the whales that stop to feed and give birth in these waters. From August to October and December to April these magnificent creatures can be spotted on boat tours and even from the coast at times.

Orientation: Uvita is a small coastal town located on the border between the central pacific and south pacific coast. Uvita is located south of Dominical and north of the Osa Peninsula.

Access: Access is limited so I recommend a rental car for exploring the area. Private transport from San Jose and public bus from Quepos via Dominical (3 hours) or San Jose via Quepos and Dominical (8 hours) is also available.
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Ideal For: Nature/wildlife enthusiasts, beach lovers, travelers seeking peace and quiet, honeymooners & couples.

Best Time to Visit: December to May (to see the whales!)

Best Place to Stay: La Cusinga Rainforest Lodge is hands down the best place to stay here. Numerous trails, an organic kitchen, solar power, and beach access make this an ideal place to stay. Monkeys, birds, and butterflies hang out a few feet from your room!

Best Kept/Un-kept Secrets: Uvita is close enough to popular tourist destinations but remains relatively untouched due to accessibility. Many travel agents don’t know a thing about this natural paradise, so be sure to ask me if you’re planning a trip here. The humpback whales are truly amazing if you have the chance to see them. Hotels and lodges offering immersion with nature and included meal plans are best. I would recommend a 2-3 night stay in the area. Tours are available to Osa Peninsula for additional wildlife exploration and Cano Island for some of the best snorkeling Costa Rica has to offer.

Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5 starts

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Punta Uva – Not to be confused with Playa Uvita mentioned above, this beach is located on the Caribbean/Atlantic coast of the country. This beach is one of my favorites due to the scenic masterpiece offered to visitors. Uvita is often times overshadowed by its counterparts on the Pacific coast highlighted by travel agents and even the country’s tourism institute eager to push visitors into the posh resorts of this region. Of course, I’m more concerned with the best of the best as well as locations that are less populated offering peace, tranquility, and a more intimate experience with nature, wildlife, and culture.

Anyway, the beach here is close to perfect offering some of the region’s most swimmer-friendly beaches. There are various that wind in and out of humid tropical rainforest along the beach offering opportunities for wildlife sightings. The white sand beach is peaceful, deserted, and offers awe-inspiring sunsets. Visitors can enjoy long walks along the beach or hire a local guide for a hike through the rainforest. Punta Uva, or Grape Point, is bordered to the north and south by Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo respectively. Puerto Viejo and nearby Play Cocles are perfect for surfers, while beach going crowds can be found at Playa Manzanillo. Playa Manzanillo also offers snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, and friendly waters for swimmers.

The lodging options here truly take advantage of the natural settings with opportunities to wake up to the sounds of frogs and howler monkeys in the surrounding rainforest. Staying in Punta Uva or Manzanillo offers a more peaceful experience with access to the vibrant town of Puerto Viejo with plenty of Caribbean flavor.

Orientation: Punta Uva is located on the southern Caribbean coast of the country nestled between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.

Access: Puerto Viejo is accessible by shuttle (4-5 hours from San Jose), rental car (4 hours from San Jose), private transport (4-5 hours from San Jose), and public bus (6-7 hours from San Jose). Most shuttles will take you directly to your hotel in Punta Uva or Manzanillo. If you’re taking the bus a local taxi or another bus can take you 7 km south to Punta Uva. If you’re staying in Puerto Viejo or Manzanillo, renting a bike is a great way to get to Punta Uva as well as the road is newly paved and relatively flat.

Ideal For: beach lovers, sunset seekers, swimmers, and couples.

Best Time to Visit: January to May (dry season)

Best Place to Stay: Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo, or Punta Uva. I personally recommend Almonds and Corals Lodge, Cariblue, and La Costa de Papito.

Best Kept/Un-kept Secrets: Take a day to visit Punta Uva. Afterwards explore the other beaches in the area. One of my favorite places in all of Costa Rica lies south of Playa Manzanillo at a magical place called Punta Mona. Punta Mona is accessible by boat or a guided hike through Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. I recommend the later of the two, because Gandoca Manzanillo provides the best combination of wildlife and coastal scenary that Costa Rica has to offer. One the way you may see crcos, alligators, sloths, monkeys and maybe even a puma if luck is on your side. Once you arrive at Punta Mona, visit Gandoca lagoon for a chance to see crocodiles, caymen, and the occasional manatee! Bottlenose, Atlantic spotted, and the little known tucuxi dolphins also frequent the waters in this area. Punta Mona retreat center is also located here. An overnight stay in this small sustainable community provides an opportunity to see nesting leatherback turtles from March to July. The perfect combo is a guided hike into Punta Mona via the wildlife refuge, overnight stay at Punta Mona Retreat Center, followed by a morning boat ride back to Manzanillo with a chance to see dolphins. Local guides are excellent in the region. Contact me for help planning and coordinating your next trip here as communication can be difficult at times.  

Overall Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Playa Espadilla Sur – Playa Espadilla Sur is just one of the three beaches located inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Of course you’ll want to explore all three during your visit to the park. Gentle waves and sky blue water backed by white sand and lush rainforest filled with curious monkeys makes this beach ideal for all. Access to Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Puerto Escondido is as easy as following the well-marked trails in the park. The only drawback to this beach is the high volume of tourists who visit the park. Some tourists do not know about the beaches inside and do not bring their bathing suits. Others are just there for wildlife exploration so this limits the actual number of people on the beaches. Playa Espadilla Sur is the first and largest beach of the three, so it usually has more people. It also has facilities for changing as well as picnic tables. The later two beaches are more secluded and offer a bit of privacy for couples. These beaches are considerably more picturesque, well kept, and less populated than the public beach just outside the park.

Orientation: All three beaches are located inside Manuel Antonio National Park located on the central pacific coast of the country.

Access: Manuel Antonio is accessible by shuttle from most popular destinations in the country (4 hours from San Jose), domestic flight to Quepos (30 minutes from San Jose), self-drive via rental car (3 hours from San Jose), as well as public bus from San Jose or Jaco to Quepos (1 hour and 4 hours respectively).

Ideal For: beach lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, families with kids, and honeymooners.

Best Time to Visit: January to June

Best Place to Stay: Manuel Antonio, Quepos, or Jaco.

Best Kept/Un-kept Secrets: Get to the park early to avoid lines waiting to enter the park due to the limited capacity maintained by park rangers. Bring a picnic lunch and combine an easygoing hike with an afternoon at the beach. The park closes at 4 pm so you’ll have to catch the spectacular sunset from the beach outside or one of many restaurants with a view. If you’re visiting primarily for access to the beach, don’t hire a local guide. It’s a waste of money. Bring sunscreen and bottled water with you. Make sure the remains of your lunch make it to the trashcan and keep your eye out for mischievous monkeys. PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE MONKEYS! Note that the park is closed on Mondays. Avoid crowds by visiting during the week. Local beachgoers add to the crowds on weekends.

Overall Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Playa Conchal – This beach has been hailed as Costa Rica’s most beautiful beach, although the title is wildly disputed and contested by residents of other beach communities across the country. The picturesque beach is covered in fine crushed shells giving the beach its white sand quality (or white shell in this case!). The Paradisus Playa Conchal Beach and Resort borders the beach to the north. The resort is nice (it better be with a price tag of $350-$600 per night), but with over 300 rooms, don’t expect personalized service. Visitors can also stay at nearby Playa Brasilito and walk 2 km south for access to this beach. You can also take a taxi or bus from Playa Flamingo.

Orientation: Playa Conchal is located on the northern pacific coast of the country in the region of Guanacaste.

Access: The best way to explore the isolated beaches in this region is with a rental car. A taxi from Playa Flamingo from the north is less than $10. Local buses also run on a limited schedule from Flamingo and Brasilito from the north.

Ideal For: beach lovers (of course), sunset seekers, and honeymooners.

Best Time to Visit: All year round.

Best Place to Stay: I would say Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort, but there is nothing sustainable or responsible about this hotel choice. If you’re looking for luxury and willing to spend the money, I’ll look the other way and book you a reservation. If you’re sensible you’ll choose one of the hotels in nearby Flamingo or Brasilito.

Best Kept/Un-kept Secrets: Don’t let the presence of Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort scare you off. Beaches in Costa Rica are all open for public access. No one owns the beach. The sunsets here are to die for so pack a lunch, some serious sunscreen, and stay for the day. Check the local bus schedules as they change frequently. Consider renting a car so you can visit a variety of beaches in this region.

Overall Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Email me at e4costarica@gmail.com if you have any questions

Can’t wait for the next segment or sick of reading? Visit our website at www.e4costarica.com for more information on Costa Rica as well as trip planning, reservations, and custom vacation packages. Sick of overpriced vacations and impersonal customer service? E4 is your home away from home based travel agent providing personalized travel services at the right price. Contact us today. We know Costa Rica because we live here. We know what you want, because we lived there!

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