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From just south of Puntarenas to Dominical, the Central Pacific Coast beaches are some of the most easily accessed and frequently visited. Jaco, Quepos and Manuel Antonio are the hot spots.
Sport fishing, surfing, snorkeling, wildlife watching and horseback riding are some of the area's popular activities.
Puntarenas: 110km west of San Jose, Puntarenas is a hot coastal town that more often serves as a point of transit for travelers on their way to the Southern Nicoya Peninsula than as a destination in itself. Visitors can enjoy a walk down the beachside boardwalk while waiting for the next ferry to Playa Naranjo or Paquera. As it is still a fishing port, with less than clear water, the beaches near Puntarenas aren’t popular with swimmers. Instead, both visitors and Ticos enjoy the open waterfront cafes.
Playa Doña Ana: the first beach south of Puntarenas. Popular with locals on the weekend. There are picnic benches and plenty of almond trees offering shade from the heat of the day, and sometimes, plenty of mosquitos. There is usually a parking attendant available to watch over your car or you can drive and park under the trees near the picnic tables.
*Punta Leona: A long stretch of white-sand beach, very tranquil and popular with locals. Punta Leona is part of a wildlife refuge that protects many endangered bird and mammal species. Several hotels and restaurants front the beach which is located north of Herradura on the Central Pacific Coast.
Playa Herradura: Just north of Jaco, Playa Herradura is still a favorite among locals. The horseshoe-shaped beach has grey-sand, calm waters, and is dotted with excellent seafood restaurants. Herradura is home to Los Suenos Marina, a full-service port packed with charter boats that ply the seas for big game fish, including billfish, marlin, mahi mahi and tuna. The beach is also a jumping off point for snorkeling and dive trips to nearby reefs and islands.
Jaco: Just 2 hours from San Jose and the airport. This popular beach encompasses three kilometers of sandy shore peppered with smooth pebbles. Both beginner and seasoned surfers enjoy its year-round beach breaks and accessibility to nearby surf spots like Escondido and Boca Barranca. “Roca Loca”, a tricky rock bottom wave, is located at the southern tip of Jaco, just beyond the cliff from the Costanera Highway. Crazy Rock is a well-known break for the experienced only, as strong currents and shallow rocks make for a challenging ride. Jaco has its share of riptides, though not as many as neighboring Playa Hermosa. A handful of lifeguard towers are usually manned during the high season. After a long day in the sun, visitors can unwind with a cocktail in one of the beachfront cafes or bars.
Playa Hermosa: Playa Hermosa, as its name implies, is a place of undeniable beauty – its broad grey-sand beach contrasted by pounding white surf. It boasts one of the biggest beach breaks (after Dominical) on the country’s Pacific Coast. Just five kilometers south of Jaco, it is a favorite spot among surfers, with seven distinct surf points along its ten-kilometer shore. The area is much less developed than neighboring Jaco, and attracts experienced surfers from around the world with its consistent waves and annual international surf contest. The beach is also part of a wildlife refuge that protects nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles. Between the months of July and December, females come ashore to lay their eggs and begin the life cycle anew.
*Playa Esterillos: The deserted beaches of Playas Esterillos, about 22 kilometers south of Jaco, are definitely worth exploring. Divided into Esterillos Este, Centro and Oeste, each offers long stretches of palm-fringed coastline and right and left beach breaks with some reasonably long rides. The waves along Esterillos Centro and Este are strong beach breaks, similar to those found in Playa Hermosa. Esterillos Oeste has a beach break that is especially fun during a big swell. Swimmers should stick closer to the northern end of Esterillos Oeste, where a calm tidal pool offers shelter from the area’s dangerous riptides. All three villages have a few hotels, cafes and vacation rentals, but remain less visited by tourists.
*Playa Bejuco: 31 kilometers south of Jaco on the way to Quepos, Bejuco is a place to relax and unwind. Forget about shopping, internet cafes, or nightlife of any kind. Bejuco’s claim to fame is raw, untouched beauty where travelers can walk miles of beach without so much as seeing another person. Strong riptides keep swimmers at bay, but Bejuco’s surf is well-known in the local community. There are plenty of beach breaks, but fewer surfers than in nearby Playa Hermosa. Bejuco village has a couple of hotels with restaurants, a mini-supermarket and a small soda that serves cheap and tasty local cuisine.
Quepos: While there is water and sand in the port town of Quepos, the beach is not particularly nice for water sports other than sport fishing. Head over the mountain to the the beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio.
*Manuel Antonio: Here you'll find several of Costa Rica's most beautiful and pristine beaches, some encompassed by Manuel Antonio National Park.
*Playa Matapalo : This tiny beach between Quepos and Dominical is off the beaten path and is frequented mainly by surfers. Two river mouth breaks and consistent waves make this a favorite spot among experienced wave riders. Strong riptides are the norm and swimmers should use caution at all times.
(* denotes Ecological Blue Flag recipient)
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