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Beaches are probably the one place that everyone visits. And this is no surprise. There are over 1500 kilometers (1000 miles) of coastline which translates to muchas playas. We provide you with a listing of as many as we can find. We are adding new ones constantly and if you discover a little jewel somewhere make sure to let us know.
PACIFIC
The Gulf Coast
- Puntarenas:
This is the old main port on the Pacific. It is a good point to
start expeditions into Guanacaste and down the Pacific coast because
there are ferries that take you across the Gulf of Nicoya here
and onto the Nicoya Peninsula. This is the main city on the Pacific
coast, and you can find a boardwalk, numerous restaurants and
hotels. It is located on a small peninsula with the gulf on one
side and an estuary in back, where there are several marinas and
many commercial fishing operations. Puntarenas
Hotels
- Jaco:
Further down the Pacific towards the South from Puntarenas about
1 hour, one can find Jaco Beach. This is a major tourist attraction
for Costa Rican tourists and foreigners alike. There are several
hotels, and the tourism infrastructure is very developed. Jaco
is about 2 hours away from San Jose by car, which makes it one
of the closest beaches to go to.
Jaco Beach Hotels
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Quepos and Manuel Antonio
This is a very popular tourist spot. There are beautiful hotels
here, along with a National Park right on the oceanfront. Quepos
and Manuel Antonio
Osa Peninsula
The southernmost peninsula on the Pacific is Osa. This is a very
wild and pristine area which encompasses the country's largest national
park, Corcovado.
- Corcovado
orcovado and the Drake Bay area are a very popular Costa Rica destination.
Incredible rainforest tours, diving and sea kayaking are available
here. The dramatic Isla del Caño is nearby, with its Indian burial grounds and awesome diving. Pods of whales are often seen along this area. Corcovado hotels
- Golfito
This is the inner rim of the Golfo Dulce, the gulf formed by the
Osa Peninsula. Golfito is the main town and is the port in this
area. There are isolated hotels and lodges hidden among the rainforest
here. Golfito-San
Vito
Nicoya Peninsula
- Montezuma
Montezuma is on the inner rim of the Gulf of Nicoya, crossing
by ferry from Puntarenas. It is a popular destination for the
younger foreign crowd. There are small hotels here but not all
have telephones. The Cabo Blanco National Park is nearby. Montezuma
hotels
- Naranjo to Cabo Blanco
This is the inner rim along which Montezuma (above) lies. There
are several beautiful hotels along this area and many fascinating
places to visit. The area is considered remote although it is
really not too hard to get there. Inner
rim of Golfo de Nicoya
North Pacific - Guanacaste
The Guanacaste coastline is known as the Golden Coast. There are
many gorgeous beaches, some with full-blown resorts and others with
few people on them. This is a very popular destination for tourists,
and now more than ever since the opening of the Liberia International
Airport. Beach
hotels
Atlantic Coast
- Limon
Limon is the main port city on the Atlantic Coast. Bananas and
many exports are sent from here. The population is a mainly Jamaican,
descendents of those brought to work on the railroad. Consequently,
English plus a local dialect are spoken in addition to Spanish.
Nearby are beautiful Caribbean beaches, and the area boasts of
the only coral reef in the country. Limon
hotels
- Cahuita
Cahuita is a beach that is located fairly close to Limon. A national
park is located here which protects the coral reef and marine
life. Cahuita
hotels
- Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is further along down the coast from Cahuita and
makes a beautiful place to visit. There are several exclusive
hotels and beaches along this area. Indigenous reservations are
nearby with tours available. Puerto
Viejo
- Tortuguero
This beautiful and exotic area lies North of Limon. You can only
get here by boat or plane. The whole area is comprised of natural
canals that lie behind a thin strip of land and the ocean. Turtles,
caimans, garfish, and manatees are common sights here. There are
incredible jungle lodges and canal tours for you to enjoy. Tortuguero
hotels
- Barra del Colorado
This is fishing heaven. Tarpon is the main adversary here, and
many say this is the best place in the world for this activity.
There are other species here that will also make your day. Like
Tortuguero you can only reach Barra del Colorado by boat or plane.
There are some very luxurious fishing lodges (one even has its
own airstrip) here. Barra
del Colorado hotels
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