Compare stays in Quepos & Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio.
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#1 Manuel Antonio beaches
Forest meets the sea here, so sloths, monkeys and birds are often seen near the beach. It is busy in high season, so arrive early.
- Region: Central Pacific
- Time to allow: Half to full day
- Plan: Check the national park’s opening days and ticket rules before you go; beaches outside the park are free.
#2 Marino Ballena sandbar, Uvita
A long sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail at low tide, inside a national marine park. Whale-watching seasons run at several times of the year.
- Region: South Pacific
- Time to allow: Half day
- Plan: Tide times matter for the sandbar walk; a park fee applies.
#3 Tamarindo
A busy beach town with surf lessons, restaurants and sunset boat trips.
- Region: Guanacaste
- Time to allow: Full day or more
- Plan: Waves vary by tide and swell; ask schools about conditions for beginners.
#4 Playa Flamingo
A wide bay with a marina and restaurants and boat departures nearby.
- Region: Guanacaste
- Time to allow: Half to full day
- Plan: Part of the Papagayo area; check the beach access point you plan to use.
#5 Playas del Coco
A working beach town, well placed for boat tours and a base for nearby bays.
- Region: Guanacaste
- Time to allow: Full day
- Plan: Boat and dive operators work from the beach; confirm departure times.
#6 Jacó
A long beach town with surf lessons, nightlife and day-trip options such as zip-lining and crocodile viewing.
- Region: Central Pacific
- Time to allow: Full day or weekend
- Plan: Among the closest big Pacific beach towns to San José; Friday and Sunday traffic can be slow.
#7 Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
A laid-back Caribbean village with beaches, bikes and Afro-Caribbean food.
- Region: Caribbean
- Time to allow: Two days or more
- Plan: The Caribbean side has a different weather pattern from the Pacific; check forecasts.
#8 Sámara
A curved bay with calm-looking water in many places and a relaxed town.
- Region: Guanacaste
- Time to allow: Full day or more
- Plan: Ask locally about the reef and where swimming is comfortable.
Where to stay
Compare stays in Playas del Coco
Playas del Coco.
Compare staysCompare stays in Tamarindo
Tamarindo.
Compare staysCompare stays in Jacó
Jacó.
Compare staysCompare stays in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo.
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Sunset boat trips
5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica
Guided sunset boat tour in Tamarindo.
See experienceTamarindo: Public Sunset Catamaran Pacific Lounge
Tamarindo sunset catamaran.
See experienceSunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour in Playa Flamingo
Sunset catamaran and snorkeling in Playa Flamingo.
See experiencePrivate Catamaran Tour from Playas del Coco (Anna Holala)
Private catamaran from Playas del Coco.
See experienceAffiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, inclusions and availability are set by the provider and change often.