Blessed with both
a Pacific and Caribbean coast, Costa Rica has an amazing number of gorgeous
beaches. These are just a small sample. You will find them all
in the complete guide.
Surfers' Advisory: One-way airline charges for shipping surfboards
between the USA and Costa Rica vary from $25 to
$100, and as high as $300 for each additional board. Charges
may also depend on the length of the board. Ask when you book your flight.
Consider renting a board at the beach. For more information, click on: http://www.wavehunters.com
Petty theft is a problem at
beaches. Keep an eye on your belongings and never leave valuables
in a car; many Ladrones (thieves) have keys.
Beware of dangerous undercurrents, especially at Pacific Coast beaches.
Following are samples of what you will find in our e-book (Portable Data File), Munti-Media e-book, and paperback. Click on the "Order Now" button above or below on any page to obtain your guide.
Montezuma/Cóbano/Mal País Beaches/Santa Teresa/Cabo Blanco Reserve (Province
of Puntarenas -- Nicoya Peninsula)
Montezuma has beautiful beaches, a “laid-back” latter-day-hippie atmosphere. You can visit Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, kayak, snorkel, surf, and horseback ride.
1) Take a Transportes Rodríguez Hermanos bus from Coca Cola, C16/A1-A3, at 7:30 am , 11:30 am (weekdays only), or 3:30 pm . Buses return from Santa Teresa and Mal País at 4:20 am , 8:20 am , and 2:20 pm Monday through Saturday, and at 8:30 am and 2:30 pm on Sundays.Buses return from Cóbano at 5:00 am (weekdays only), 9:00 am, and 3:00 pm. Buses return from Montezuma at 4:30 am, 8:30 am, and 2:30 pm on Monday through Saturday, and at 8:45 am and 2:45 pm on Sundays; 5-1/4 hours, ¢5,000. Tel: 642-0219, 389-7177.
2) Or, take the bus from San José to Puntarenas, then either the Paquera Ferry or the Playa Tambor Ferry to Paquera and a route 631 Ismael Enríquez Corrales buses from Paquera to Cóbano, which will be waiting to meet the ferry; ¢810. Tel: 642-0219.
Tips:
Buy tickets at the office just outside Coca Cola on the west side of the terminal.
A shuttle bus leaves Montezuma for Cabuya / Cabo Blanco National Park at 8:15 am , 10:15 am , 2:15 pm , and 6:15 pm , returning at 7:00 am , 9:00 am , 1:00 pm , and 4:00 pm .
Two small, open boats connect Montezuma with Herradura Beach (642-0058, 642-0050) but it is a very rough trip when the gulf is choppy; $30. Be prepared to wade to and from the beach while holding your bags over your head. Another boat, the Pegasus, leaves from Playa Tambor (661-1320).
You can fly to nearby Tambor. See Air Connections.
Lodging:
Sano Banano, Tel/Fax: 642-0068. On the beach, with large sharable suites and “dome” cabins.
Hotel Montezuma, Ext: 258. (In town.) Call the operator (661-1122) and ask for the hotel’s extension.
Hotel Los Mangos, 642-0076. (In town.)
Cabinas Toucan, 642-0284. (In town.)
You can camp on the beach at El Rincón de los Monos.
Playa Cahuita/Cahuita National Park (Province of Limón -- Caribbean Coast)
The Caribbean coast was settled by Jamaican immigrants and has an islands ambiance. Patois ("patwah"), a somewhat modified form of English, is spoken here. If someone asks "Qué o'clock mon?" they are asking for the time. Cahuita has three beautiful beaches; one is black sand, the others are white sand. You can also visit the national park, which is relatively small and easy to access. Howler monkeys are often seen and heard here. You can enter Cahuita
National Park through the Kelly Creek station at the east end of Cahuita
Village or take the early morning Puerto Viejo or Sixaola bus and get
off at the Puerto Vargas station at the south end of the park. To get
here:
Take a Transportes Mepe route 750 regular service bus to Cahuita from
the Gran Terminal del Caribe on C Central/A15-A17, leaving at 10:00
am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Travel time is 4 hours (direct), ¢3,295. Buses
continue to Sixaola. Buses return from Cahuita at 7:30 am, 9:30 am,
11:00 am, and 4:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 257-8129, (Limón) 758-1572, (Sixaola)
754-2097.
Tip: Direct
buses between San José and Sixaola normally stop in Cahuita Center but
ask the driver to let you off there.
Coopana buses from C2/A5-A7 run continuously to the Gran Terminal del
Caribe; 105 colones.
Or, take a bus from San José to Limón, then a Transportes Mepe route 725 bus from Limón at Radio Casino, one block north of the market, leaving at 5:00 am, 6:00 am, 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm; 1 hour. Get off at Cahuita; ¢555. Buses return at 6:30 am, 7:30 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:15 pm, and 7:00 pm. Tel: (San José) 257-8129, (Limón) 758-1572 or Fax: 758-3522.
Bus schedules to the Caribbean coast change frequently because of poor
road conditions. Call Transportes Mepe, Tel: (San José) 257-8129, (Limón)
758-1572 or Fax: 758-3522, (Sixaola) 754-2097.
Lodging:
Sol y Mar, 755-0237.
Cabinas Sunshine, 755-0368, Fax: 755-0024.
Cabinas Arrecife, 755-0081.
El Encanto B&B, Tel/Fax: 755-0113. \
Kelly Creek Hotel, 755-0007.
You can camp on the
beach near the Playa Vargas ranger station at the southern end of the
park. Basic facilities (water, toilets, and showers) are available.
Playa Hermosa/Playa Panamá (Province of Guanacaste -- Northern
Pacific Coast)
These are popular beaches
for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing.
You can rent the necessary gear. To get here take:
An Empresa Esquivel bus, route 570, leaving from C12/A5-A7 at 3:20 pm,
returning at 5:00 am; duration 5 hours, ¢2,450. Tel: (Panamá Beach)
666-0042, 666-1249.
Or, take a bus to San Isidro de El General , then a route 175 bus to La Uvita and get off at Playa Hermosa, ¢825.
Do not confuse this Playa Hermosa with the other Playa Hermosa 5 km
south of Jacó beach on the central Pacific coast. There is another Playa
Hermosa on the Caribbean coast.
Lodging:
Cabinas Playa Hermosa, Tel: 670-0136.
Playa Chorotega Resort, Tel: 670-0492.
You can camp at Jardín del Mar, Tel: (San José) 231-7629.
For complete descriptions of beaches and how to get there, click on the "Order Now" button at the top or bottom of any page to obtain your guide.
Now,
click on your other destinations:
