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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
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
Corcovado and the Drake Bay area are a very popular 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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