Archive for the 'Beaches' Category
SOUTH GUANACASTE
Monday, September 25th, 2006
Diving is becoming more and more popular in Guanacaste, thanks to its excellent dive sites. Sport fishing is another of the Pacific region’s attractions. Artisan and recreational fishing are possible, but of greater interest are the tournaments in which several world billfish records have been broken. The fish are returned to the water after weigh-in.
Playa Lagarto – Playa Pitahaya
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
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 offers horseback-riding and kayaking tours.
Playa Pelada
Great for walks, Pelada features a rocky point that offers a gorgeous panoramic view. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, sunbathing, sport fishing and snorkeling.
Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones is great for walking, horseback riding and sunbathing and has good waves for surfing.
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. 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.
Playa Buena Vista
Playa Buena Vista is a large beach with moderate surf and lush vegetation. The beach is ideal for sunbathing and walking. Some parts of the shoreline feature sharp drop-offs. Trips on ultra-light planes are organized from these spots.
Playa Samara
Samara features moderate surf, mangrove swamps and coastal greenery. Near the center of the beach stands an enormous old strangler fig that is one of Sámara’s hallmarks. The beach offers sunbathing, walking, horseback riding, swimming, mountain biking and boat or kayak trips.
Playa Carrillo
Swimming is very safe, especially on the south end, where a large number of coconut palms provide shade. Carrillo is also great for sunbathing and walking. Surrounding this point is a very safe bay for anchoring artisan- and sport-fishing boats.
Playa Camaronal
This large, open beach has moderate to strong surf. Known as a nesting site for giant leatherback and olive ridley turtles, Camaronal features a wildlife refuge. 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. Besides swimming and sunbathing, activities include walking, horseback riding, four-by-four and quadracycle tours, mountain biking and boat trips for fishing and diving.
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 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, offering 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. 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.
NORTH GUANACASTE
Monday, September 25th, 2006
Diving
Diving is becoming more and more popular in Guanacaste, thanks to its excellent dive sites, including the Gulf of Papagayo and the Santa Catalina islands.
Sport Fishing
This is one of the Northern Pacific region’s main attractions. Artisan and recreational fishing are possible, but of greater interest are the tournaments in which several world billfish records have been broken. The fish are returned to the water after weigh-in.
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, horseback riding and 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 Lobo
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.
Bahia Cuajiniquil
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. Coastal greenery, ample space and calm waters make this an ideal place for relaxing, walking, swimming and observing the fascinating plant and bird life.
Playa Prieta
This small, clear-water bay is located near Playa Virador. Like Virador and Playa Blanca, Prieta is great for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing.
Playa Naranjo
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 Nascascolo
With clear water and gentle surf ideal for swimming, walking and diving, this beach is popular with tourists who enjoy walking along the water’s edge and exploring 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.
Playa Chorotega (PANAMÁ)
A large, fine sand beach with little surf, Chorotega is fringed by 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 beach is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, beautiful sunsets, water sports, 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.
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; photo opportunities are excellent.
Playas Danta y Pan de Azucar
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
It features gentle surf and lush coastal vegetation.
Playa Penca
Strong to moderate surf, this beach features an estuary and mangrove swamp that makes it especially attractive for relaxation and contemplation.
Playa Potrero
Set in a bay of calm waters, this beach features estuaries and mangrove swamp, as well as beautiful scenery. 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. 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. Visitors enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and gorgeous sunsets.
Playa Real
Together with Playa del Roble to the south and Playa Nombre de Jesús to the north, Playa Real makes up one long beach. The gentle to moderate surf is suitable for swimming, walking and 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 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 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. Tamarindo is ideal for relaxing, walking, horseback riding and sport-fishing and diving tours. 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. Langosta is quite popular with surfers.
Playa Avellanas
Located five kilometers south of Langosta, this beach features a rocky coast. The surf is strong, excellent 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 is good for walking and horseback riding. Its rocky areas offer very good diving and surfing. Fishing and kayaking are also excellent.