Other Beaches

North Caribbean

North Caribbean comprises the caribbean coast and goes from the San Juan River to Limón city. Limón city is the touristic center of this Corridor, simultaneously working as an accommodation, stop over, distribution and touring center.

Green turtle's nesting on Tortuguero National Park and bass 's, shad's and other species's sport fishing at Barra del Colorado National Wild Life Refugee represent the main attraction of the region. It is complimented with the river channel's system, wich connects Moin Port with Barra del Colorado, and has become a singular attraction and the only way of transportation.

Nature-based products get rewarded, specially fauna observation, therefore is a world-known site for bird and turtle's watching.

Barra Del Colorado Beach

Long and open, the northern Caribbean coast is characterized by strong surf and dangerous currents for swimming. However, its main attraction consists of the canals that run parallel to the beach, with natural landscapes and abundant animal species observable on tours. Delimited on the north by the mouth of the Río Colorado and on the south by an estuary, Barra del Colorado beach is suitable for hiking, nature- and wildlife-watching, fishing and contemplating the sea. Boat trips may be taken through the highly interesting and naturally scenic canals and lagoons in the area. The village of Colorado is a peaceful fishing and farming community divided in two by a landing strip.

Tortuguero Beach

This long beach with its strong surf and lush tropical greenery is a great place to hike and take in Tortuguero National Park's diverse flora and fauna. The park is adjacent to the village, also named Tortuguero, where the beach is located. Four species of sea turtles nest here: green turtles, most numerous, from April to August; leatherbacks from February to July; hawksbills from April to October; and loggerheads from April to May.

Tourism is the main source of income for Tortuguero village, followed by fishing and subsistence farming. This has produced an interesting mix between the village's indigenous origins and the many tourism services and facilities that are shaping its present and future, and which allow tourists to enjoy a wide range of activities by day or night: walking and sunbathing on the beach, observing the biodiversity, boating or kayaking the canals, socializing with the locals, sampling typical Caribbean fare or dancing to the beat of tropical or modern music.

Playa Bonita

Situated five kilometers north of the city of Limón, this easy-access beach's big waves are ideal for surfers. Luxuriant tropical greenery surrounds this lovely spot, with coconut palms endowing the place with special scenic appeal. Due to its beauty and proximity to Limón, this beach is a favorite with the city's residents and with tourists looking to enjoy the ocean. Various activities, such as concerts and surfing contests, are often held here. Playa Bonita is perfect for sunbathing, walking along the beach, swimming (with caution), nature-watching, beach volleyball, picnics and family fun..

Quiribrí Island (Uvita)

This island territory was declared a National Monument in 1985 for having been the first place visited by Christopher Columbus when he landed on this Caribbean shore during his fourth voyage in 1502. It was precisely because of the wealth exhibited by the indigenous people with whom he came into contact that Columbus-perhaps also inspired by the tropical luxuriance of the land-named the place "Costa Rica" ("Rich Coast"). The island was called Quiribrí. It is an attractive place, as much for its lush tropical greenery as for its rocky contours and coral reefs. A pleasant beach lies close to the island's wharf. A looping trail may be enjoyed, as well as excellent diving and surfing. On September 25, Columbus' arrival is commemorated with a brilliant flag parade and school bands from the Limón central canton.

South Caribbean

This unit goes from Limon to the Panama border, Limon is the primary tourist center as well as an scaling and distribution center. The region shows a country-unique combination of beaches, natural resources and afro American culture in Cahuíta, Puerto Viejo and Gandoca Manzanillo.

Limon's development is quite different from the rest of the Caribbean Island, which gives it an special potential to distinguish Costa Rican products. High quality beaches allows adventure and natural history activities which definitely compliment with culture, gastronomy and music. Stand out the reefs, multicolor-sanded beaches (from black to yellow and gray), coastal vegetation and medium-high forest.

Cahuíta National Park and Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve are worldwide recognized, not only because of their natural beauty but because they are becoming unique conservation places in almost the whole Caribbean.

Playa Vizcaya

Located on the highway to Cahuita, this long, grayish-sand beach on the open ocean features abundant coastal vegetation, and stands out for its many coconut palms. Great for swimming, it is very popular with locals and national tourists, who visit it to enjoy the beach and Río Vizcaya mouth with friends or family.

Playa Negra (Cahuita)

"Black Beach" is the name of this dark-sand beach located north of the town of Cahuita. Long and fringed with lush tropical greenery, Playa Negra has distinct areas featuring inlets, coral platforms, coves and sandy beaches. The surf is moderate to strong. This beach is ideal for relaxing and contemplating the sea, as well as exploring on foot, horseback or mountain bike.

Playa Blanca (Cahuita)

Named "White Beach" for the color of its sand, Playa Blanca is part of Cahuita National Park, stretching some three kilometers from the park entrance to Punta Cahuita. The initial stretch of this narrow beach features a shelf and strong surf; swimming is not recommended here. Toward its middle stretch, before the Río Suárez estuary, however, swimming is ideal. After crossing the estuary, the presence of a fringing coral reef offshore transforms the beach into a vast lagoon. On the point, the sand is very light in color. Here the reef is close in; visitors can dive in its waters, or continue some two kilometers more to Puerto Vargas.

Puerto Vargas

This lovely beach also belongs to Cahuita National Park, stretching several kilometers from Punta Cahuita to the mouth of the Río Carbón. It has three distinct areas, all breathtaking thanks to their lush vegetation. From north to south, the first area comprises the point up to the promontory of Puerto Vargas. Here, the water is crystalline and calm thanks to the coral reef. Extending from Puerto Vargas to the beach entrance, the second stretch features darker sand and mild to moderate surf. The third reaches from here to the mouth of the Río Carbón, and consists of an open coast with strong surf.

Puerto Viejo

Like Cahuita, the town of Puerto Viejo offers many facilities to ensure an enjoyable visit. Lodging and travel companies and a tour guide association offer trips to other areas of Talamanca. There are also excellent restaurants featuring local and international cuisine, as well as varied nightlife offering traditional music and dancing from the Costa Rican Caribbean.

Playa Negra (Puerto Viejo)

Stretching from the town of Puerto Viejo to its entrance in the north, this beach is famous for its truly black sand, which owes its color to a high manganese content. Shaped in an attractive curve, Playa Negra features moderate to strong surf. Vegetation is limited as the town's main street runs directly behind the beach. This spot is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and leisurely strolls, which can run northeast to the mouth of the Río Carbón.

Puerto Viejo Beaches

Puerto Viejo sits on a point or cape made up mainly of coral platforms, so several areas here are not suitable for swimming. However, there are other spots with white sand and convenient cafes that are ideal for enjoying the ocean. These places are referred to by the names of certain people or establishments residing or situated on the beach; thus, the beach in front of Manuel León's property is called Chinese Beach, and the beach in front of Stanford's Restaurant is named after this establishment.

Though small, both these beaches are well frequented by ocean lovers. From here to the south, at a place called Punta Pirriplí, is the famous Salsa Brava wave, one of the best surf spots on the entire Caribbean coast and host to international surfing contests. Dive shops and companies offering tours to the reef can also be found in front of these beaches.

Playa Cocles

Long and wide, this beach has moderate to strong surf. To the north and opposite Punta Pirriplí lies a beautiful rocky island of the same name that lends special appeal to this coast of few islands. This beach is perfect for enjoying activities such as sunbathing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, beach volleyball and soccer. A small coral reef lies off Punta Cocles. Along the beach there are numerous tourist services, including surfboard and bicycle rentals. Horses and motorcycles may be rented in Puerto Viejo to explore this and other beaches located to the south.

Playa Chiquita

Located right after Punta Cocles, this golden-sand beach forms a cove by the same name. Beyond this point the irregular coast continues, bordering rocky platforms. Some two kilometers to the south is a highly scenic rocky promontory swathed in lush tropical greenery. Here, the coastline forms a bend surrounded by calm, clear water. This lovely stretch of coast is good for relaxation and enjoying nature unchanged, whether on foot, horseback or simply lying on the beach.

Punta Uva

Punta Uva is a wide, sandy ridge that stretches northeast up to the promontory at the end of Playa Chiquita. To the south the coast opens in a curve up to Manzanillo. Bordering this point is a coral reef where diving is possible. Punta Uva's unique shape makes it ideal for walking all the way to Chiquita and Manzanillo beaches.

Playa Manzanillo

This golden-sand beach stretches north some 3.5 kilometers from the town of Manzanillo to Punta Uva. It has moderate to strong surf, an irregular, curved shape, and plentiful coastal vegetation, particularly palms. Ideal for walking, horseback riding, sunbathing and swimming, this beach also offers diving in several areas in front of the town and near Punta Manzanillo. The 12-kilometer road that connects all the beaches south of Puerto Viejo ends in the town of Manzanillo, which offers numerous services including diving gear rental and dolphin-watching and dive tours.

Playa Mona

To get to this beach, visitors must walk some five kilometers from Manzanillo to Punta Mona. The coastline in this area is very irregular. The forest and surrounding scenery make this stretch of coast exceptionally beautiful, especially around Punta Mona, where a small, greenery-swathed island enhances the coastal scenery, complemented by always-lush forests and patches of coral ideal for diving.

Playa Gandoca

Beyond Punta Mona the irregular coastline transforms into one that begins with a curve and then opens up to stretch more regularly up to Gandoca. Here, the beach features gray sand and strong surf. Southward from Gandoca the beach stretches to the mouth of the Río Sixaola, which marks the border with Panama. This last stretch of coast is just over eight kilometers long, and is highly suitable for walking and taking in the rich biodiversity of its ecosystems. Gandoca is also great for observing nesting leatherback turtles from April to August. The walk from Manzanillo to Gandoca takes around three hours. This beach has been rewarded with the Blue Ecological Flag, which identifies it as a clean and safe beach.

Cahuita National Park

Established as a national monument in 1970 and made a national park in 1978, this wilderness area protects 1,067 hectares of land, 600 hectares of coral reef and 22,400 hectares of marine territory. Its two main areas, Cahuita and Puerto Vargas, feature highly scenic beaches as well as the largest fringing coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean. Various species of marine life may be seen here, including coral (brain, moose- and deer-horn, fire, rose and lettuce), mollusks, crustaceans, turtles, multicolored fish (angelfish, isabelitas, etc.) and many others.

The park also protects its distinctive plant life, both marsh and coastal, as well as wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, squirrels, coatis and many birds and insects. Light-sand beaches, thousands of coconut palms, turquoise-blue seas and a coral reef make this one of the most scenically beautiful areas in the country. The park offers various activities, such as hiking, swimming, diving, sunbathing, beach volleyball, observing the wealth of biodiversity or simply doing nothing and enjoying the marvelous scenery. To make visits enjoyable, Cahuita offers the following visitor services: information, drinking water, restrooms and showers, picnic tables, trails and a camping area..

Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

This beautiful refuge has an area of 9,449 hectares (4,436 marine and 5,013 land). Located in Talamanca, its coastline stretches from the mouth of the Río Cocles near Puerto Viejo to the mouth of the Sixaola on the Panamanian border. Its highest point is the Manzanillo hills at 185 meters above sea level. Its wooded floodplains and hills are home to tree species such as cativo, caobilla, yolillo palm, mangrove and mountain almond. Monkeys, including spider monkeys, crocodiles, peccaries, agoutis and other animals make up the predominant wildlife.

There is also a large variety of birds, such as parrots, harriers, toucanets and more. Beautiful beaches cover the entire coast, excellent for walking, sunbathing, swimming, nature-watching and diving in the reefs. Trails, viewpoints, drinking water, restrooms and other services may be found all along this corridor and in towns such as Manzanillo, where the refuge's administration office is located. The giant leatherback turtle is protected in the Gandoca area. Boat tours are available to Gandoca Lagoon, lush with tropical vegetation and habitat to the manatee.

North Guanacaste

North Guanacaste harbors an important portion of the Costa Rican cultural and natural patrimony. Not in vain there is a significant number of protected areas, including coastal, mountainous, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems, where life develops with exuberance.

It is situated in the northern part of the country, and covers the pacific coast of Costa Rica, since the limit with Nicaragua to Punta Cerritos, located 22 km. west from de city of Santa Cruz. It covers an extension of approximately 100 km. of the Pacific Coast. In the past, this region has had its natural vocation in the cattle raising and in the agriculture. Currently, nevertheless, the incomparable beauty of its landscapes, that go from the tropical dry forest to the forest montano low and its hot climate, as well as its fertile nature, have done of Guanacaste one of the most concurred places by the local and international tourism. Besides an important backup in the Pole of Tourist Development of the Papagayo's Gulf, there is the Daniel Oduber International, where a large quantity of flights arrives charter and regular flights from the United States.

North Guanacaste has two main tourist centers that are Liberia (central of stopover distribution, scale and excursion) and Santa Cruz, and three other tourist centers: El Coco, Tamarindo and Flamingo. The landscape of the coast is exceptional. There are beaches of white sands and a peaceful sea qualified by intense blue, especially the ones located inside Papagayo's Gulf (Nacascolo, Virador, Iguanita and Panama). It is one of the regions of greater development, based on hotels of high investment with potentiality of direct demand.

Playa Puerto Soley

Located in the northern part of Guanacaste, on wide, beautiful Bahía Salinas, this beach is very popular among residents of nearby La Cruz. The surf here is moderate, the sand soft. Famous for its sunsets, this beach invites visitors to walk along the shore and take in the splendor of the bay and Isla Bolaños.

Playa Coyotera

This is a large beach, in front of which lies Isla Bolaños. The island can be visited by boat or kayak. A great place to windsurf during windier months, this beach is ideal for relaxing, walking and horseback riding, as well as exploring nearby places on mountain bikes.

Playa Rajada

Gentle surf makes this a perfect beach for swimming and relaxing in the shade of its lush trees. Rajada is also excellent for walking and photography.

Playa Jobo

Set in a beautiful, sheltered cove with little surf, this beach's breathtaking scenery is complemented by its coastal greenery. It's a great place to swim, relax and contemplate, as well as enjoy the plant and bird life.

Sheltered from winds, this bay's main attraction is a beautiful mangrove swamp. It's a popular place with fishermen, who find it a safe place for their boats.

Playa Blanca

Located within Santa Rosa National Park's Murciélago sector, this beach is on the Santa Elena Peninsula, the geologically oldest region in Costa Rica. The lovely bay is bordered in the south by the Fila Carrizal mountain range, which stretches to Cabo Santa Elena. Abundant coastal greenery, ample space and calm waters make this an ideal place for relaxing, walking, swimming and observing the fascinating plant and bird life. Nearby beaches may also be visited, such as Santa Elena and El Hachal. Camping is permitted near the park's administrative office, 17 kilometers from the beach.

Playa Prieta

This small, clear-water bay, 400 meters long, is located near Playa Virador. Like Virador and Playa Blanca, Prieta is great for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing while taking in the lovely, peaceful scenery.

Playa Naranjo

This long beach is located 12 kilometers from Santa Rosa National Park's administrative office. Its northern stretch features a tongue of dark sand surrounded by ocean and river mouths that form a wide estuary and mangrove swamp rich in plant and animal species. The beach is perfect for walking and taking in the magnificent scenery, which includes Peña de la Bruja, a rocky island popular with surfers. Camping is permitted.

Playa Blanca And Playa Virador

With crystalline waters and gentle surf, Playa Blanca is located near Punta Mala inside Bahía Culebra. Along with other beaches, Blanca forms the Gulf of Papagayo tourism project. From this 960-meter-long beach, Playa Monte del Barco and Playa Chorotega can be seen across the way. Together, Playa Blanca and neighboring Playa Virador form a narrow natural bridge that connects them to Punta Mala. Set in a lovely cove with white sand and crystal-clear waters, Virador is great for swimming and diving.

Playa Nacascolo

With clear water and gentle surf ideal for swimming, walking and diving, this beach is well frequented by tourists arriving in boats from various nearby hotels or water transportation companies. Its indisputable beauty makes Nacascolo a great place to walk along the water's edge and explore the small estuary at its southern end.

Playa Iguanita

A beautiful beach at the back of Bahía Culebra, Iguanita is bordered to the north and south by two rocky points. To the south flows the Quebrada Grande, which empties into the Iguanita estuary, forming a dense mangrove swamp.

Playa Monte Del Barco

This small beach is located between two points that give it shelter, providing a lovely environment for relaxing and swimming. From the slopes and top of the neighboring hill, visitors can see all the splendor of Bahía Culebra-spectacular at sunset. Monte del Barco has been awarded the Blue Flag.

Playa Chorotega (Panamá)

A large, fine-sand beach with little surf, Chorotega is fringed by mainly brazilwood, manchineel and mesquite trees. A small mangrove swamp occupies the Rocha estuary. Popular for swimming, relaxing, walking and camping, the beach is frequented by families wishing to enjoy the beautiful maritime landscape that stretches to the white beaches on the other side of Bahía Culebra.

Playa Hermosa

Around two kilometers long, this lovely gray-sand beach is located between two mountainous points. To the south, in front of Punta Cacique, are Isla Pelona and Isla Montosa. With little surf and abundant coastal greenery, this Blue Flag beach is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, beautiful sunsets, water sports (including diving) walking and horseback riding.

Playas Del Coco

With a long tradition, this is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. Located in a bay with little surf, it is highly suitable for swimming and boat anchorage. Its gray sands stretch for almost three kilometers. To the south is Punta Centinela, which features a white-sand cove. Playas del Coco offers a wide range of services that allow tourists to enjoy all kinds of recreational and sporting activities, including sport-fishing, diving and boat tours. The beach is also great for walking and horseback riding.

Playa Ocotal

Set in a cove bordered by hills, this beach has gray sand and little surf. At its southern end is Punta Cirial, surrounded by crystalline waters. This beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports such as diving and sport-fishing, which are offered in various parts of the region. Magnificent views of the Gulf of Papagayo are enjoyable from the heights of the adjacent hills. South of Ocotal is a smaller cove called Bahía Azul or Pez Vela (Blue or Sailfish Bay), known for its sport-fishing camp. Ocotal is a Blue Flag beach.

Playa Guacamaya

With gentle surf and lush greenery, this lovely beach is set amid a beautiful maritime landscape dotted with several islets. Sunbathing, swimming, walking and rest and relaxation are enjoyable activities, and the photo opportunities are excellent.

Playas Danta Y Pan De Azúcar

These beaches are set in two coves less than a kilometer long and flanked by hills that offer magnificent panoramic views of Bahía Potrero and Bahía Brasilito. The calm waters here are ideal for swimming. The Pitahayas and Santa Catalina islands can be made out from Playa Danta. Some nine kilometers away, the Santa Catalina islands make up one of the most preferred dive sites in the entire region.

Playa Prieta

This small beach lies to the south of Pan de Azúcar, and is separated from it by a rocky area. It features gentle surf and lush coastal vegetation. To the south are Punta Prieta and Chocoyas island, which separate the beach from Playa Penca and lend special natural appeal to the surrounding landscape.

Playa Penca

Also small, this Blue Flag beach has moderate to strong surf and features an estuary and mangrove swamp that, added to the presence of Chocoyas island at the north end of the beach, make it especially attractive and highly apt for relaxation and contemplation.

Playa Potrero

Set in a bay of calm waters, this beach is some four kilometers long and features estuaries and mangrove swamp, as well as beautiful scenery. At its southern end lies Marina Flamingo (Blanca). Potrero is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, walking and horseback riding. Organized sport-fishing and diving are available here.

Playa Blanca ( Flamingo )

Set in a cove with moderate surf suitable for swimming, this beach features a mangrove swamp and, to the north, Isla Plata and Punta Salinas, which separate Brasilito and Potrero bays; Punta Salinas offers a spectacular view of both. Because of its natural beauty and the excellent and varied services it offers, Playa Blanca is ideal for those who wish to enjoy both beach and nightlife.

Playa Brasilito

This beach and Conchal make up Bahía Brasilito. The surf and drop-offs are gentle to moderate, depending on the area. A mangrove swamp and Isla Loros lie at the southern end of the beach. Here, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and taking in the maritime scenery, as well as gorgeous sunsets.

Playa Conchal

This beach and Conchal make up Bahía Brasilito. The surf and drop-offs are gentle to moderate, depending on the area. A mangrove swamp and Isla Loros lie at the southern end of the beach. Here, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and taking in the maritime scenery, as well as gorgeous sunsets.

Playa Real

Playa Real, together with Playa del Roble to the south and Playa Nombre de Jesús to the north, make up one long coast; the first two are separated from the third by Punta Real. All three are light-sand beaches that together stretch some two kilometers. The lovely coastal landscape is complemented by several islands and rocky promontories that add to the scenery. The gentle to moderate surf is suitable for swimming, walking and other activities such as sea kayaking.

Playa Ventanas

This cove is located northwest of Playa Grande, from which it is connected (or separated) by a rocky promontory that, owing to its shape, gives the beach its name ("Windows Beach"). Ventanas is great for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing and walking north towards the point and diminutive Playa Carbón.

Playa Grande

Forming part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, this beach gets its name from its great size. It stretches south to the Tamarindo estuary, site of a large mangrove swamp (the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge) that can be toured by boat to check out the flora and fauna. Playa Grande is particularly popular with surfers, as well as visitors wishing to observe nesting giant leatherback turtles. This Blue Flag beach is also great for sunbathing, walking and swimming.

Playa Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo, along with Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas, make up Bahía Tamarindo. This beautiful beach features rocky areas and an island (Capitán) at its southern end. Its luxuriant greenery includes pink trumpet trees, tamarinds and coconut palms. Excellent and varied services are offered, allowing visitors to enjoy the beach by day and the nightlife after sunset. A Blue Flag beach, Tamarindo is ideal for relaxing, walking, horseback riding and sport-fishing and diving tours, as well as visiting the mangrove swamp and observing nesting sea turtles. South of the bay lies the most important stretch of coast for surfing.

Playa Langosta

Separated from Tamarindo by Punta San Francisco, this cove has two main areas divided by the mouth of the Río San Francisco. To the north the coast is rocky and unsuitable for swimming; to the south is a mangrove swamp. Both areas are very pleasant for walking and observing the scenery and diverse bird species. A Blue Flag beach, Langosta is quite popular with surfers.

Playa Avellanas

Located five kilometers south of Langosta, this beach features a rocky coast stretching several kilometers, with lush vegetation. The surf is strong, with two distinct sections both good for surfing. Other activities include walking, swimming and observing little fish and mollusks in the tide pools that form in the rocks.

Playa Negra

Located between Avellanas and Junquillal, this beach features a rocky coast, excellent surfing conditions and, despite its name (Black Beach), light sand. To the south lies a less frequented stretch of coast (Callejones) that is also good for surfing.

Playa Junquillal

Long and wide, this beach has a varied landscape good for walking and horseback riding. Junquillal features coastal greenery, rocky areas and very good diving and surfing, for which it is well known. Fishing and kayaking are also possible at this Blue Flag beach.

Isla Bolaños National Wildlife Refuge

Located in Bahía Salinas, this island has an area of 25 hectares and a maximum altitude of 81 meters. Rocky Isla Bolaños' major importance lies in its seabirds, including frigate birds and brown pelicans..

Bahía Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge

This wilderness area is characterized by its dry forests and their guanacaste, rain and legume trees. It also contains mangrove swamps featuring black and red mangroves. Animals that may be observed include spider, Congo and white-faced monkeys, white-tailed deer and iguanas. Trails, a camping and picnic area, restrooms, public telephone and other services are available. Though Bahía Junquillal is the refuge's main attraction, it also comprises Jicote and Cuajiniquil bays and Islas Los Muñecos.

Las Baulas National Marine Park And Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge

Both these wilderness areas are located mainly in the Playa Grande area and in the Tamarindo estuary; however, they also include Playa Carbón, Playa Ventanas and Playa Langosta, Morro and Hermoso hills and the San Francisco and Ventanas mangrove swamps. Nesting giant leatherback turtles are the park's main tourist attraction. Largest of the world's sea turtles, the endangered leatherback is protected in Costa Rica.

The refuge's main attraction is its mangrove swamp, with its fast-growing trees. Most common mangrove species here include red, black, white and piñuela. These mangrove forests are ideal breeding grounds for fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Reptiles, amphibians and birds may also be seen here. Tours are available for observing nesting leatherbacks and touring the Tamarindo estuary.

South Guanacaste

This Unit includes the southwest coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its north limit is the Punta Cerritos and its south with river Bongo outfall, with a length of approximately 110 kilometers in front of the coast.

The main tourist center of the South Guanacaste Unit is the Nicoya city, located at 30 kilometers of the coast that works as a distribution center and stop break for the tourist that travels to the south Guanacaste beaches and the travelers to other passages. The second tourist center is the village of Sámara, located over the coast, which gives it a central position in relation with the whole passage territory.

The main resources of the unit are the beaches. It has a extended potential for the development of beach combined products and natural resources such as the spectacular arriving of the turtles Lora in the Wild Life National Refuge Ostional and the estuary and mangrove swamp of the south side, specially those who divide the beaches of Islita, Bejuco, San Miguel, Coyote and Guiones. The mangrove swamp are excellent conserved and are ideal sites for the bird sight and other type of fauna as well as the practice of light sports as the "kayaking".

It has an efficient public transportation and well as ferryboats (Paquera community and Naranjo beach), which make the communication between several regions points easy. Similarly, the bridge over the Tempisque River gives a quick access to all the central and south region of the Peninsula.

It also has several airdromes (Tamarindo, Carrillo, Islita) that make possible the quick and safe entrance to the main tourist destinations of south Guanacaste.

Playa Lagarto - Playa Pitahaya

This section of the coast features rocky beaches to the north (Lagarto, Manzanillo) and sandy ones to the south. In the north, Lagarto is distinguished by its artisan-fishing activities. Though beautiful, this stretch of coast offers few services for tourists. Toward the south are beaches such as El Coco, Marbella and Pitahaya, where visitors can walk and swim in the ocean. At the north end of this stretch, Playa Pitahaya features an attractive cove. Surfers like these beaches for their waves.

Playa Azul

A small beach, Playa Azul has strong surf and blue waters. Its midsection (to the north) features a rocky promontory (Punta Eriza) from which visitors can enjoy an extensive, breathtaking view of the entire coast stretching from the north to Punta Trinidad (San Juanillo) in the south. The beach is suitable for walking and observing the scenery. Caution is advised when swimming, especially in the southern part of the beach.

Playa Pleito And Playa San Juanillo

Lush with coastal greenery, these beautiful, small coves are connected by a rocky platform that joins Punta Trinidad and Punta Pleito to the north. Playa Pleito features a lovely bend at its south end that is ideal for swimming. San Juanillo's special feature is a beautiful point (Trinidad) made up of a tongue of fine sand that forms a cove with little surf to the north and stretches a hundred meters to the south, there forming the cove of Playa Cocal.

Playa Ostional

Long and wide with strong surf, this beach joins Playa Nosara in the south, from which it is separated by Punta División. Ostional enjoys worldwide prestige, because it is here and in Nancite (in Santa Rosa National Park) that the largest number of olive ridley turtles come to nest, especially from July to November. For this reason, Ostional and the entire coast southward to Punta Guiones are included in the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. The most scenic part of the beach is the rocky coast toward the north.

Playa Nosara

This beach features a lovely estuary and a large mangrove swamp (Río Nosara) that can be toured by boat or kayak to observe the vegetation and wildlife, especially birds. Nosara's town and outskirts offer all kinds of services for tourists, including horseback-riding and kayaking tours.

Playa Pelada

At Pelada's north end is Punta Nosara, which separates this beach from Playa Nosara. Great for walks and relaxation, Pelada features a rocky point in the south that offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the beach and Playa Guiones stretching south. Visitors may enjoy horseback riding, sunbathing, sport-fishing and snorkeling at this beach.

Playa Guiones

Long and wide, Playa Guiones is great for walking, horseback riding and sunbathing, and it has good waves for surfing. A wide variety of tourist services is available near this beach and those to the north.

Playa Garza

Set in a beautiful bay with moderate surf, this beach features an estuary to the south, where the Río Garza empties to form a mangrove swamp. To the north, on the other side of Punta Garza, is a rocky beach called Playa Rosada (Pink Beach) due to the color of its sand. A small fishing community, Garza offers sunbathing, swimming, walking and sport-fishing tours.

Playa Barco Quebrado

This beach is set in a beautiful cove with moderate surf. Surrounded by tall, rocky cliffs that give it special appeal, Barco Quebrado is perfect for swimming and observing the surrounding landscape, which features a forested area. To the south lies another attractive beach called Barrigona.

Playa Buena Vista

Playa Buena Vista is a large beach with moderate surf and lush vegetation. At its north end lies an estuary; to the south is the mouth of the Río Buena Vista. The beach is ideal for sunbathing and walking. Some parts of the shore feature slightly sharp drop-offs. Trips on ultralight planes are organized from this spot.

Playa Sámara

Some four kilometers long, this beach features moderate surf, mangrove swamps and ample coastal greenery, including manchineel trees, coconut palms and creepers such as beach bean. Near the center of the beach stands an enormous old strangler fig that is one of Sámara's hallmarks. To the south, off Punta Indio, lies Isla Chora. This Blue Flag beach offers activities such as sunbathing, walking, horseback riding, swimming, mountain biking and boat or kayak trips, as well as various services allowing tourists to enjoy the beach by day and music and good food by night.

Playa Carrillo

Located five kilometers from Sámara, this lovely bay features a beautiful beach with calm surf. Swimming is very safe, especially on the south end, where a large number of coconut palms parallel to the beach and street provide shade to visitors and beautify the coast. Carrillo is also great for sunbathing and walking along the beach. Its southern stretch features a rocky hill from which visitors can see the bay in all its splendor. Surrounding this point is a very safe bay for anchoring artisan- and sport-fishing boats. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag.

Playa Camaronal

Some three kilometers long, this large, open beach has moderate to strong surf. Near its south end is the mouth of the Río Ora, which must be forded with caution to reach this and other beaches to the south (Islita, Bejuco, San Miguel) or north (Carrillo, Sámara). Known as a nesting site for giant leatherback and olive ridley turtles, Camaronal features a wildlife refuge that protects these magnificent reptiles. It's also great for camping and fishing.

Playa Islita

Shaped in a half-moon, this cove with little surf owes its name to the little rocky island next to Punta Islita at the northeast end of the bay. Two estuaries enhance the beauty of its landscape, which can be viewed in full from the heights of the road to the south that leads to Corozalito, where high cliffs can also be seen. Besides swimming and sunbathing, enjoyable activities include walking, horseback riding, four-by-four and quadricycle tours, mountain biking and boat trips for fishing and diving. This is a Blue Flag beach.

Playa Corozalito

This small beach features a wide estuary and a mangrove swamp, excellent for observing flora and fauna. Tourists frequent the beach on horseback.

Playa Bejuco

A very large beach with moderate to strong surf, Bejuco has an extensive mangrove swamp that stretches behind the beach to the mouth of the Río Bejuco. Near the south end lies Punta Bejuco, which lends even greater scenic beauty to this popular surfing beach.

Playas San Miguel Y Coyote

The access road leading to these two beaches runs over San Miguel hill in the north, which offers an impressive view of the open coast. Though the two beaches make up the same stretch of coast, they are separated by the Jabilla mouth and estuary, home to a large mangrove swamp. The surf on these beaches is strong and continuous. San Miguel is three kilometers long, while Coyote stretches almost five kilometers to the estuary of the same name. This area is great for boat trips, relaxation, sea-gazing, walking and horseback riding, as well as observing the plant and animal life of the mangrove swamps.

Playa Bongo

South of Coyote, Playa Bongo is a long, open beach that stretches several kilometers. Near the north end is an area called Caletas that is great for surfing. Five kilometers south of here lie the mouth and estuary of the Río Bongo, which marks the border between the Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces. Some three kilometers further south is Playa Manzanillo, a beautiful beach lush with vegetation. This beach is well frequented by the residents of Cóbano and other towns. Visitors can rent horses, walk on the beach, enjoy the ocean, take boat trips, kayak and camp.

Playa Pochote

South of Manzanillo lies Punta Pochote, which features a small rocky cove, profuse vegetation and beautiful scenery. The beach is good for walking, enjoying the ocean and sunbathing.

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

Ostional was established as a refuge to protect the olive ridley turtles that nest on this shore. The most important nesting area stretches from a place known as La Roca to the Ostional estuary. In addition to the olive ridley, which nests in the refuge year-round, giant leatherback and green turtles nest from September to February, as well as the occasional hawksbill. Olive ridleys can lay more than 100 eggs each on the refuge's beaches. Once a year, a phenomenon called la arribada ("the arrival") occurs between September and November. For three to seven days, hosts of olive ridleys descend upon the refuge to lay thousands of eggs. In order to make reasonable use of this resource, the law permits eggs to be taken from Ostional for commercial purposes. This activity is coordinated with the Ostional Development Association, as are guided turtle-watching tours.

Puntarenas beachs

Puntarenas is one of the most important tourist regions of Costa Rica. Its coasts are decked by plenty of islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural treasures, which makes Puntarenas a tourist destiny by excellence. Its territory offers a wide range of attractions supported by the sun and the beach, which are complemented with protected zones, continental and insular areas.

This spectacular area very close to the Central Valley, a two-hours drive, 120 kms away from the capital. Puntarenas City is its principal center, nice for stopovers, distribution, scale and excursion. Hotels and cabins near the sea, and the well known all-included packages prevail in it's touristical development.

Other tourist center is Tambor, and potentially, Cóbano. Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve, and San Lucas, Chira, Tortuga and Coco's Islands stand out. Although is geographically out of the Gulf, the Isla del Coco high-hierarchy attraction of the Costa Rican tourist product.

Puntarenas Beaches

These beaches stretch along Puntarenas' entire coast between the mouth of the Río Barranca and the place known as La Punta ("The Point"), where this extensive length of shoreline ends. The area between the wharf (Cruise Ship Terminal) and La Punta is the preferred place for swimmers; running parallel to this stretch is the Paseo de los Turistas ("Tourist Strip"), with its numerous hotels, restaurants, bars and other services. Besides swimming, visitors can enjoy other water sports and activities, such as boat tours.

Playas Caldera And Mata De Limón

This beach stretches from the Mata de Limón estuary to the promontory known as Roca Carballo. It is quite popular, especially with national tourists enjoying the surroundings and proximity to the port of Caldera, a docking site for large ships. The estuary may be toured by boat to observe the vegetation and wildlife of the mangrove swamp

Playa Tivives

Located eight kilometers after Puerto Caldera by a gravel road, this beach features big waves and is very popular with surfers. It has a large mangrove swamp, and the long beach is ideal for walking and horseback riding-not to mention sunbathing.

Montezuma's Waterfall

To arrive, you must get away from the the center, walking approximately 20 min. The waterfall, 20 meters height, forms a refreshing natural pool surrounded by an exuberant vegetation.

Playa Pógeres

This beach forms a small, lovely cove ideal for swimming and enjoying the surrounding seascape. Numerous artisan-fishing boats can normally be seen anchored here.

Playa Agujas

A beautiful protected cove featuring diverse coastal vegetation, this beach is great for swimming, relaxing and sea-gazing.

Cocalito's Waterfall

This refreshing waterfall is located in the northeastern extreme of Cocalito Beach. With it's 12-meter height, forms a pond where you can swim contemplating the marvelous natural environment, with the leafy vegetation and the blue sea. It's an attractive landmark and a relaxing place.

Playa Tambor

This beach is located inside the Bahía Ballena, which at the same time has Playa Pochote in its northeastern extreme. It is a beautiful and extense beach, excelent for bathing and enjoying walks, horse ridings and aquatic sports. This bay has the particularity of having two alligator-shaped points. Tambor has leafy coastal vegetation, and a wide range of touristic services wich allow tourists to enjoy from cheap lodging to all-included luxury hotels. Therefore, there are many recreative facilities such as golf, sport fishing, aquatic sports and mountain biking among others.

Playa Quizales

Great scenic beauty, also has a cliff in it's northeastern extreme from wich one has a wonderful view of all the coast sector.

Playas Cocal, Cocalito Y Quizales

These beaches are located in a coastal sector of great scenic beauty, where it combines sandy beaches with rocky platforms and cliffs, surrounded by exuberant tropical vegetation. Playa Cocal is very extensive and appropriate for bathing, sunbathing and hiking or horseback riding. Toward the north of Cocal there is Balvina Point, which once flanked communicates with Cocalito beach. This beach is narrow and occupies a rocky seaboard, delimited by high slopes that form a cliff.

Playa Santa Teresa

This beach is very extense, with surfing-appropiate's swell. It has a wide coverage of coastal vegetatio and beautiful rocky sectors such as Peñón de Arío, located in the north. Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve can be watched toward south of Santa Teresa beach. Besides bathing and taking the sun, this beach is ideal for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and camping.

Playa Pochote

Pochote is located towards the south of Manzanillo Point. It presents a small rocky inlet, plenty of vegetation and great scenic beauty. The place is great for hiking, enjoying the sea and taking the sun among others activities.

This beach is located four kilometers from Paquera. It presents a length of little less than two kilometers and has an estuary (Organos) and a mangrove swamp located in the north sector. The beach is very popular among the residents of the nearby towns. It possesses great scenic and natural beauty, Tortugas and Negritos Island can be seen from it coast.

Playa Naranjo

This long beach is located 12 kilometers from administrative area of the Santa Rosa National Park. In its north sector it has a dark sand strip surrounded by the seawater and the rivers mouth's form an extensive estuary and mangrove swamp rich flora and fauna. It is ideal for hiking, and to observe the magnificent surrounding landscape that includes the Peña de la Bruja, a popular small rocky island among the surfers. Also it is permitted to camp in this beach.

Playa Montezuma

The rocky sectors and clear sandy beaches make this coast extremely beautiful. Plentiful vegetation is the habitat of numerous animal species, congos and many birds may be observed. The central beach of Montezuma is a beautiful and small inlet, the main beach is found towards the north of the central one, and is prolonged for hundreds of meters unitl it gets to a rocky sector, where a road communicates with other beaches such as Cocal. In Montezuma one can enjoy horseback rides, mountain bike, diving and sport fishing tours and other night time activities.

Playa Malpaís

This beach has a very irregular rocky seaboard. It has great natural and scenic beauty, due to their coastal vegetation and it's very pleasant wooded zones. Barrigona point can be found in the central part of this beach, and it's nice for hiking and the observation of the beautiful surrounding maritime landscape. Toward the south extreme of Malpaís, Punta Cuevas can be found, an extremely beautiful place wich border the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve. In this beach other activities can be practiced: surf, horseback rides, dive, sport fishing, mountain bike, kayak's rides, watch the dusk, etc.

Playa Gigante

This small beach, surrounded by abundantly vegetated mountainous slopes. It has a quiet swell and from its coast, Isla Muertos can be seen at south. Very pleasant conditions for rest, hike or horseback ride to nearby places for characteristics flora and fauna observation can be found here. From the nearby hills', a magnificent landscape of the Gulf of Nicoya can be admired.

Playa Curú

It is located inside the Curu National Wildlife Refuge and is a beautiful little inlet, with smooth swelling. It has coastal vegetation and a mangrove swamp, congos and carablanca's monkeys as well as racoons, iguanas and many other animals can be found on it's different types of forests. It possesses a very pleasant coastal landscape from where you can see the Tortuga Islands, two kilometers away. Is an ideal place for bathing, flora and fauna observation and resting in full contact with this beautiful refuge.

Playa Carmen

This beach is located in an intermediate point between Santa Teresa and Malpaís, exactly in the sector where the access road to this coastal sector forks: north to Santa Teresa and south to Malpaís. Besides enjoying the sun and the beach, this seaboard is great for hiking and horseback riding, as well as mountain biking and admiring the varied and rich coastal vegetation. Also very visited by the surfers.

Playa Cabuya

It is located seven kilometers south of Montezuma and two kilometers north of the Absolute Nature Preserve of Cabo Blanco. Also communicates with Malpaís through a convenient, very picturesque road for double-tractioned cars. Is an open-sea and rocky beach. Has plenty coastal vegetation and strong swelling. It possesses a beautiful coastal landscape, where Cabuya Island, which has the particularity to be a pre-Colombian native cemetery stands out. During the low tide you can get there by foot, since there's a rocky platform that unites it with the coast. It is an ideal beach to carry out walks and to observe the nature, especially in Cabo Blanco.

White Beach

This beach is inside Murciélago of Santa Rosa National Park sector. It is located in the Peninsula of Santa Elena, geologically ancient zone of Costa Rica. It is a beautiful bay delimited in its south part by the Fila Carrizal, which is prolonged to the Santa Elena cape. It has plentiful coastal vegetation and because of its width and tranquil water is ideal for the rest, the walks, to bath and to observe interesting flora and bird life. Other nearby beaches can be visited like Santa Elena and El Hachal bays. Camping is permitted 17 km away of this beach, in the administrative area.

Isla Del Coco National Park

This national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, owing to is unparalleled natural beauty and biological wealth. At 24 square kilometers, the island features cliffs reaching 183 meters tall and an infinite number of underwater caves. Created in 1978, the park has two main bays, Wafer and Chatham, at its north end, which feature the only two sandy beaches on the island. The extraordinarily clear turquoise waters, added to the large number of rock formations, make outstanding habitat for the abundance of fish, sharks (hammerhead and white-fin), dolphins, mantas, mollusks and the many other marine species that make this island one of the world's most spectacular dive sites.

Thanks to its climatic patterns, the island also boasts beautiful, always green forests. Numerous impressive waterfalls and legendary tales of pirates and seekers of treasure-reputedly hidden on the island-make Isla del Coco an ecologically and historically priceless place to visit. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, signage, restrooms, drinking water and several natural viewpoints.

Isla Alcatraz (Tortuga) Biological Preserve

Known as Tortuga, Isla Alcatraz sits amid the waters of the Gulf of Nicoya. No hotels or tourism services are available, so that visitors who come to the island for a few hours can enjoy it in a more natural state. They may rest in the shade of the island's palms, sunbathe on its ultra-white sands or enjoy activities such as kayaking or diving in its crystalline waters or touring its forest canopies. Several tour operators and water transportation companies visit the island, departing from Puntarenas, Montezuma and Herradura.

Mid pacific

This region of the country stretches from the city of Puntarenas to the mouth of the Río Barú in the area known as Dominical de Osa. It has three cities attractive to tourists and well developed for tourism: Quepos, Jacó and Puntarenas. The region also comprises the islands in the Gulf of Nicoya, as these are mainly accessed from Puntarenas. A wet and rainy climate allows for greater biodiversity in the beaches and hills next to the coast; thus, there is a transition from tropical wet forest to tropical forest to tropical dry forest. These ecosystems provide habitat for numerous plant and animal species that are protected in several wilderness areas. Also included within this zone is Isla del Coco, which, though almost 600 kilometers from the port of Puntarenas, falls under this province's jurisdiction.

The region's main attractions are its coast and protected wilderness areas. The coast is made up of numerous beautiful beaches, several of which are less than two hours from San José, allowing for quick access. With regard to wilderness areas, the region features wildlife refuges, national parks and biological preserves. Other important attractions are of cultural and recreational interest, including the various organized events-especially sporting events-that distinguish the region. Also worthy of note is the scenic beauty along the coastal highway that connects the Caldera area with the Quepos and Manual Antonio region.

Jacó

At just seven meters above sea level, the city of Jacó has a large beach for enjoying sea and sun. Its proximity to San José makes it one of the most visited beaches in the country by both Costa Ricans and foreigners. Jacó offers one of the most extensive selections of tourist services in Costa Rica.

Shaped in a pleasant curve, its four-kilometer-long beach is bordered by hills at either end. Swimming with caution, due to strong currents, and surfing are the favorite activities here. Visitors can walk or ride horses along the beach, rent mountain bikes or scooters, or take a turn around a go-cart track. Boat travel is possible from Jacó to Playa Escondida, a well-known beach among surfers.

Playa Tárcoles

A mooring place for artisan fishermen, this beach is only suitable for walking and enjoying the scenery.

Punta Leona Beaches

These two beaches are separated by a point called Punta Leona. The first is known as Playa Mantas and the second, more scenic beach is called Playa Blanca. Both are located in a private biological preserve containing numerous plant and wildlife species that complement the scenic beauty of this coastal area. The beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and walking.

Playa Herradura

Forming a bay of lush tropical vegetation, this beach is aptly named "Horseshoe Beach" after the shape of its shoreline. Hills at either end of the beach add to the beauty of the landscape. At the north end of the beach is the Los Sueños Marina; at the south, Isla Herradura, a natural refuge for several seabird species. Playa Herradura is great for swimming and various water sports. Camping facilities are available, drawing national tourism to the beach.

Playa Hermosa

A long, 10-kilometer beach on the open ocean, Playa Hermosa features strong and continuous waves, making it one of Costa Rica's most preferred surfing beaches and the site of various national competitions. A wide variety of services is available.

Playa Esterillos

At 6.8 kilometers long, this beach is named after its numerous estuaries (esterillos is Spanish for "little estuaries"). Because of its length, it is divided into two areas: Esterillos Este (east) and Esterillos Oeste (west). The latter features a rocky coast at its north end. Both beaches are ideal for enjoying the ocean, though the waves are strong and constant. Surfing is possible at Esterillos Oeste.

Playa Bejuco

Just to the south, Playa Bejuco is an extension of Esterillos Este and features similar conditions. Among its attractions is fishing from the beach or in the Bejuco estuary. Its length makes it great for walking and horseback riding; photography, sunbathing and relaxing swims in the ocean are also appealing activities.

Playa Palma

Also known as La Bandera, this beach is located less than 10 kilometers from Parrita. It features a large number of palm trees and strong surf, requiring caution when swimming. At its south end is the mouth of the Río Parrita, a popular place for fishing.

Playa Palo Seco

This considerably long beach is excellent for sunbathing, walking along the shore and other activities. A wide estuary practically surrounds it and, together with the ocean, forms Isla de Palo Seco.

Quepos City

The seat of the Aguirre canton, Quepos maintains an important relationship with banana production activities in this part of the country; old Banana Company structures are still preserved to this day. The city offers a variety of accommodation, dining and recreation options, as well as spectacular scenery of the coast. Its wharf serves as a departure point for sport-fishing and recreational boat trips.

Playa Boca Vieja

Located in Quepos, this beach is frequented by the city's residents. It sits between the mouth of the Río Paquita and the Boca Vieja, from which it gets its name. Walking along the beach and swimming are popular activities, as well as boat tours on the Río Paquita.

Punta Quepos

This is a rocky promontory featuring forested areas and light-sand beaches. From its viewpoints, visitors can take in the beauty of the calm, blue sea. Several hotels are located on the point's upper elevations, which offer sweeping views of Manuel Antonio National Park and the entire coastal region from Quepos to Esterillos Oeste.

Playa De Espadilla Norte

Espadilla Norte is very popular for swimming and various water sports, such as surfing, kayaking, boat trips and jet skiing. A variety of tourism services is also available.

Playa Savegre

Stretching straight for 11 kilometers between the mouths of the Naranjo and Savegre rivers, this beach is suitable for surfing and other beach activities such as sunbathing, walking and relaxing. The Estero Negro ("Black Estuary") sits at the mouth of the Río Naranjo. Isla Mogote may be seen from the beach.

Playa Matapalo

More than eight kilometers long, this beach offers a beautiful coastal landscape, little explored. From the beach, the nearby Fila Costeña mountains can be made out; at the north end of the beach, Isla Mogote and Punta Serrucho in Manual Antonio National Park may be seen in the distance.

Playa Barú

This long beach is surrounded by a lush natural landscape made up of forest and mangrove swamp. Near the beach is Hacienda Barú, a private nature preserve where visitors can take canopy tours to observe the rich biodiversity. Olive ridley and hawksbill turtles nest on this beach from September to October.

Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge

This recently created refuge comprises the strip of beach where the mangrove swamp is. Birds and nesting olive ridley turtles may be seen here.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park's 683 hectares boast some of the country's most varied and breathtaking scenery. Surrounded by lush, very wet tropical forest, the park's trails offer sightings of white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas and many bird species, as well as the Costa Rican squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus), which is endemic to Manuel Antonio-that is, it is found only in this part of the world. Increasingly endangered, at last count these monkeys numbered only 1,500.

The park also protects 12 islands that serve as excellent refuges for several seabird species, as well as several stunning beaches (Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Escondido), a 14-hectare lagoon and a mangrove swamp. Connecting Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur beaches, Punta Catedral is a place of great natural beauty. Visitor services include information, a park ranger station, trails, restrooms, drinking water, signage and several natural viewpoints.

South pacific

The entrance door and distribution main center is Pérez Zeledón's city, its limit extends through the canton's edge, including the Fila Tinamastes attractions, such as the Cataratas of Nauyaca (waterfalls), Platanillo town and even the Barú River, where the coastal sector, that extends to Punta Burica with a total of 490 km, initiates.

The main activities include beach enjoyment and marine resources, such as whales and dolphin's observation, as well as mangrove swamp's, landscapes, reptilian, sport fishing, surfing, hiking through the National Park's paths, professional diving, the energetic walks to the Chirripo's summit, botanical gardens, protected areas' impressive waterfalls. they are all part of the main product offered by the touristic unit that can be reached through this information bureau. Ecotourism features as the main product, especially the one that is carried out among the Humedal Sierpe-Térraba; the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, the Ballena Marine National Park, the Isla del Caño Biological Preserve and the Corcovado National Park.

The beach's tourism possesses a wide potential in the coastal sector of Dominical-Piñuela; Platanares Beach; Zancudo and Pavones. The mountain's product identifies itself in the Cordillera de Talamanca's Mountain subunit, where San Gerardo de Rivas and San Vito of Coto Brus stand out as access centers to Chirripó National Park and the Friendship World Patrimony site.

Additionally, there is a high potential in the rural tourism development, in country settlements distributed along the region. Two important protected areas are located in this zone, one is the Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic Magazine defines as "the planet's biologically richest place" and the Humanity Biosphere Preserve, declared as Humanity Patrimony and part of the Amistad International Park.

Playa Dominical

This beach's big waves are ideal for surfing. The place is also popular with campers, with facilities available. Tours and excursions can be taken from Dominical to neighboring places of great scenic beauty, such as the Nauyaca waterfalls and nearby hills offering spectacular views of the entire coastal area. Dominical offers a variety of tourism services and shops.

Playa Dominicalito

The moderate surf here is perfect for swimming and other water activities. At the south end of the beach lies Punta Dominical, which features a lush tropical wet forest. This, and the spectacular surrounding landscape, offer great enticement to nature-lovers.

Punta Dominical

The viewpoints on this rocky hill swathed in vegetation offer views of Dominicalito, Roca Árbol island and the stunning mountain and maritime landscape stretching southwards.

Playa Hermosa

This beach is connected to Playa Uvita to the south by a sandy tongue, or tombolo, in the shape of an anchor that can be explored at low tide, when different species of crab, fish, mollusk and algae may be observed. From this spot both beaches may be viewed, as well as the beautiful Fila Costeña mountains.

Playa Uvita

One of the most stunning beaches on the Southern Pacific coast, Uvita features moderate surf safe for swimming, as well as estuaries and mangrove swamps, especially at its north end. South of the Quebrada Villegas estuary is a lovely line of coconut palms. Near the south end of the beach is Quebrada Colonia. This beach is ideal for walking and horseback riding, as well as observing the marine life around Punta Uvita.

Punta Uvita

Rich in marine life, this tongue, or tombolo, features a reef that shelters it from dangerous currents and strong surf, making it a perfect place to swim and cool off in its waters. It's also a popular spot among divers.

Isla Ballena

Accessible only by boat or panga, this island is an extraordinary place for diving and observing the variety of marine species.

Playa Ballena

Featuring little surf and fine sand, this beach is set in a breathtaking coastal landscape that includes Isla Ballena less than three kilometers offshore. Playa Ballena, along with Isla Ballena and Rocas Tres Hermanas, make up part of Ballena National Marine Park, which stretches from Punta Uvita to Punta Piñuela. The park's waters are visited by humpback whales every year from August to October and from December to April.

Playa Piñuela

A beautiful, small cove with moderate surf, Piñuela is great for swimming, especially at its south end. Behind the beach is a steep, mountainous slope covered with greenery. A small promontory lies north of the beach, close to which the Quebrada Piñuela empties into the sea. Isla Ballena may be viewed from here.

Playa Ventanas

Though small, this beach is surrounded by lovely scenery. Ventanas ("Windows") gets its name from the rocky promontory at its north end featuring holes in the rock that can be explored at low tide.

Playa Garza

Located south of Boca Brava, this beach is not suitable for swimming; however, its waves are excellent for professional surfing.

Playa Drake

This beach is made up of highly scenic rocky areas and coves. Frequent rains nourish a very wet tropical forest rich in biodiversity. Many sport-fishing and diving tours to Isla del Caño depart from Drake, as well as tours to Corcovado National Park. Visitors can hike or horseback ride to nearby attractions. Every February, the landing of pirate Sir Francis Drake at this spot is commemorated with official and local celebrations.

Playas De Matapalo

At the south end of the Osa Peninsula lies Cabo Matapalo, close to which are several stunningly beautiful coves and beaches set in very wet tropical forest, home to several species of birds, monkeys and other animals. Waterfalls and other natural features make exploring the rich biodiversity a delight. Beaches popular with surfers include Matapalo, Backwash and Pan Dulce, all of which offer excellent conditions for this sport.

Playa Tamales

Located south of Puerto Jiménez on the road to Matapalo, this long beach is shaped in a half-moon, and features rocky coastline to the south and the mouth of the Río Tamales near its center. The surf is gentle to moderate depending on location. Birds may be seen among the coastal greenery.

Playa Platanares

A large, pleasant beach featuring coastal vegetation, mangrove swamps and the mouth of the Río Platanares, this is an excellent place for sunbathing and enjoying the ocean. Stretching south from Punta Arenitas, Platanares is very popular with the residents of Puerto Jiménez, as well as the tourists who come here on their way to Corcovado and other destinations on the Osa Peninsula.

Playa Blanca

Located two kilometers form the village of La Palma, this beach features moderate surf and is popular with the village's residents. Set on Golfo Dulce and surrounded by mountains perennially clothed in green, Playa Blanca is a lovely spot.

Playa Cacao

Though Playa Cacao is located just two kilometers from Golfito, the best way to get here is by boat (panga). Little surf makes it a very safe place to swim. Green with plant life, Cacao is a great place for walking around and observing the flora and fauna. The town of Golfito can be seen from the beach.

Playa Zancudo

A long beach with fine sand and moderate surf, Zancudo features a lovely estuary and plenty of coconut palms and tropical greenery. It's a great place for swimming, sunbathing and walking, as well as other recreational and sporting activities. Sport-fishing and whale- and dolphin-watching tours are offered.

Playa Pavones

This rocky stretch of coast offers beautiful scenery, thanks to its luxuriant plant life and small bays ideal for swimming. Set on a small cove, Pavones' main attraction is its open ocean surf, which forms the world-famous long left wave that draws many surfers to this beautiful and remote spot. To the south, horseback rides and long walks to the least explored stretch of coast in Costa Rica may be enjoyed.

Ballena National Marine Park

This park is home to the southernmost migration point of the humpback whale, an endangered mammal 15 to 16 meters long, of which only around 5,000 remain in the world. Ballena was created in order to protect Bahía Coronado's coral reefs and rocks, as well as the migrating whales, which can be observed from December to April and from August to November. The coastal environment attracts colorful birds, and its rich waters are enticing to divers. Visitor services include information, trails, signage, restrooms and drinking water.