Real Estate Costa Rica, Good Life Properties

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.