About: This used to be a hidden gem among locals, but has gained popularity over recent years, so much so that a Waldorf Astoria Hotel is now being built here. By the time it is finished, the hotel may limit easy land access, and though the beach will always be open to the public by…
Tag: beaches
Panama Beach
About: This is a popular beach among locals, with just a couple beachfront hotels and restaurants. The water is usually very calm as the beach is located in a bay within a larger bay. There are vendors along the beach selling drinks and snacks. There are no bathrooms except in the restaurants. Province: Guanacaste Starting…
Ocotal Beach
About: Just down the road from Coco Beach, this smaller beach has many nearby hotels and accommodations. There is one beachfront restaurant. Parking is just on the road where you can find it. The sand is black, there are tide pool rocks, and there is plenty of shade. Province: Guanacaste Starting from: Playas del Coco…
Matapalo Beach
About: This beach is in front of the two all-inclusive Riu Hotels, but there are public access roads before and after the hotel entrance, which is limited to guests. It is a long beach, with vendors selling snacks, massages, and water activities. There are two restaurants on one of the public access roads. There are…
Matapalito Beach
About: This beach is reached by following the dirt road for a few kilometers after passing the Riu Hotels. The road can get very muddy during the rainy season, so you would need a 4×4 SUV to reach the beach. There is a gate for a private hotel at the end of the road, so…
Hermosa Beach
About: This is sort of the sister beach to Coco Beach, with the accompanying town being the sister town to Playas del Coco. They are comparable to one another, though some will always prefer one over the other. The beach is long, the sand is fine, and the water is blue. There is plenty of…
Coco Beach
About: This is the main beach in Playas del Coco, and is very long, spanning the entire width of the town. There are access points all along the beach, with many hotels, beach clubs, and restaurants on the beachfront. It is surrounded by a bay, so the waters can be calm and there are many…
Calzon de Pobre Beach
About: This is one of two beaches with easy public access on this peninsula, along with Penca Beach. However there is a Waldorf Astoria Hotel now being built here, so there is constant construction on the cliff overlooking Penca Beach. Follow the paved road along the peninsula until the end where there is a makeshift…
Papagayo Peninsula Beaches
Options for beaches in Papagayo Peninsula:
Playa Virador
About: This is one of 4 beaches with public access on the Papagayo Peninsula. The other 3 are Playa Nacascolo, Playa Prieta, and Playa Virador. They are all located within a sort of luxury resort compound that consists of resorts like Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, and Planet Hollywood. Non-guests are not allowed inside the “compound”…