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Introduction
• Culture •
Environment •
History •
Money
Transportation •
Activities •
Attractions • Weather
• People
Education •
Photos •
Location •
Maps/Provinces Costa Rica is Central America's special jewel. It has a reputation for being an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors, but there's more to Costa Rica than a stable status quo. The country's natural attractions, wildlife and reputation for enlightened conservation draw tourists from all over the world, and the Ticos know it. Successive governments have made a real effort to preserve the country's image as eco-tourism heaven, making Costa Rica one of the best places to experience the tropics naturally and with minimal impact. SUN, SAND AND SEA What kinds of images come to mind at the thought of a vacation in the tropics? An early morning stroll down a deserted beach, waves washing against the sand by your feet, as the muffled roars of howler monkeys drift out from the jungle behind the coconut palms? An afternoon tanning session at a swimming pool surrounded by tropical foliage, with a commanding coastal view of forest-hemmed coves, rocky points and rugged islands? A cocktail hour complete with Pacific panorama, as the heat of the afternoon subsides and the fiery ball of the sun slips slowly into the ocean from which your dinner was recently pulled? Such imagery is neither fantasy nor exaggeration. It is a mere sampling of the unforgettable experiences that await you on Costa Rica's beaches. COASTAL TREASURES It's no coincidence that Costa Rica means Rich Coast in Spanish. Mother Nature has endowed the country with a virtual treasure trove of beaches, each one of which has its own special charms. Those coastal jewels range from sheltered coves where a crescent of white sand separates the verdure of the rainforest from the ocean's aquamarine waters, to long beaches washed by frothy surf and lined with lanky coconut palms. Within that variety and natural exuberance are the ingredients needed to fulfill every traveler's tropical fantasy. Countless stretches of sun-swathed sand await you on Costa Rica's 762 miles of sinuous coastline, spread between the Pacific and Caribbean. Most of those beaches are backed by forests that contain a myriad of rare flora and fauna, while submerged off some lie such marine wonders as intricate coral formations and kaleidoscopes of brightly colored tropical fish. An in addition to their own attractions, many of those beaches can serve as your base for such varied activities as white water river rafting, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, skin diving and other outdoor adventures. Perhaps more important, Costa Rica's beaches provide the
perfect conditions for doing absolutely nothing, which is an essential part
of any vacation. Such natural attributes as soft ocean breezes, impeccable
blue skies, rustling palm fronds, warm sand and the rhythmic crashing of the
surf combine with amenities like cool beverages, tropical music, fresh fruit
and an abundance of seafood, elevating leisure to the level of a science.
The nation's tradition of hospitality is complemented by a modern
transportation system and a cornucopia of coastal accommodations to ensure
comfortable beach vacations for all. Costa Rica's beach selection is simply
mind boggling, certainly more than you could visit in several vacations. The
following overview of the country's "playas", as beaches are called in
Spanish, is consequently intended to help you decide which of those coastal
treasures you would like to discover for yourself.
NORTH PACIFIC OPULENCE No region represents Costa Rica's coastal opulence better
than the Northwestern province of Guanacaste. The driest part of the
country, Guanacaste is a popular destination among sun worshippers of all
types. Its beaches run the gamut, from pristine coves set deep within the
wilderness of a national park, to modern resorts complete with four-star
hotels, gourmet restaurants and charter boats equipped for sport fishing and
other aquatic adventures. Guanacaste's wind-swept beaches, separated by
rocky bluffs and backed by patches of tropical dry forest, evoke what
southern California's coastline might have looked like a century ago. But
unlike California, the forest of Guanacaste are home for troops of howler
monkeys and flocks of parrots. Stretching south from Costa Rica's border with Nicaragua,
down the western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste's coast is divided
by rocky points into dozens of beaches. Those on the Santa Rosa Peninsula
are wild and isolated, visited only by adventurous nature lovers, dedicated
surfers, and nesting sea turtles. The Gulf of Papagayo, to the south of that
peninsula, features more accessible beaches, many of which slope down into
the tranquil waters of Culebra Bay. That bay's calm and crystalline waters
offer excellent conditions for swimming, skin diving, windsurfing and other
aquatic diversions. Some of the country's newest luxury hotels overlook
Culebra Bay from such beaches as Hermosa and Panama. Playa del Coco, the region's principal port and a
colorful little fishing town, is set in a deep cove with a long beach of
dark sand and calm waters, while Ocotal, to the south, lies in a similar but
considerably smaller bay. If you follow the coast south from the Gulf of Papagayo,
the beaches become more exposed the Pacific's whims, which means the sea can
resemble a swimming pool one week and raise waves large enough to please
expert surfers the next. At such serene spots as beaches Pan de Azúcar,
Potrero, Brasilito and Conchal, you won't have to share the beach with
crowds of tourists, since relatively few accommodations complement the
coastal beauty there. Playa Flamingo's white sand beach is attractive enough
to justify the handful of hotels that overlook it, but the modern fleet of
charter boats docked in its marina are as much of a draw for many people.
One of Guanacaste's major sport fishing spots, Flamingo provides anglers
access to some of the best sail and marlin fishing in the world, and is
consequently the site of an annual sailfish tournament. Tamarindo, to the south, features a long swath of fine
packed sand backed by the best selection of hotels and restaurants available
in the region. A popular spot among surfers, Tamarindo has several equally
impressive beaches nearby, such as Playa Grande, an important sea turtle
nesting beach, and Junquillal, a long stretch of sand bordered by forest
with accommodations of its own. As you head south from there, the roads get
rougher and the hotels grow scarcer, but the scenery doesn't suffer in the
least bit. Nosara is a spectacular spot that combines the charms of long,
empty beaches with the wildlife that innhabits patches of rare tropical dry
forest. Such beaches as Garza, Carrillo and Islita offer similar
combinations of coastal and sylvan beauty, while the pale, hard-packed sand
of Sámara is complemented by a wider selection of accommodations, and is a
little easier reach. Turning towards the Gulf of Nicoya you will find
laid-back Montezuma and Tambor featuring a variety of hotels for all tastes
and budgets. CENTRAL PACIFIC GEMS Island refuges, rainforest reserves and white water
rivers are just a few of the natural attractions available along the
country's Central Pacific Coast. The port town of Puntarenas, due west of
San José, is the gateway to the Gulf of Nicoya and the southern tip of the
peninsula of the same name. Though the beach that stretches along the city is a bit
urban, the coast by the mouth of the nearby Barranca River offers a more
natural setting, and excellent conditions for surfing. Ferries cross the
Nicoya's gulf from Puntarenas, passing rugged and wild islands, and
providing access to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. An array of
natural assets includes calm seas, gorgeous beaches, rainforest reserves and
waterfalls. The road that follows the coast south from Puntarenas not
only winds past some impressive panoramas, it leads to two of the country's
most popular beach resorts: Jacó and Manuel Antonio. The palm-lined,
sugar-sand beach of Jacó was one of the first in Costa Rica to be developed
as a resort, and it consequently boasts an abundance of hotels, restaurants,
shops and services. A popular spot with surfers, who are drawn there by its
consistent waves, Jacó lies near several natural attractions that are worthy
excursions for travelers who tire of beach life. Nearby you will find Punta
Leona, which includes an extensive forest reserve. Further to the south lies
the equally popular resort of Manuel Antonio, which is famous for its
unforgettable coastal scenery, exuberant tropical nature and ample selection
of outdoor adventures. Manuel Antonio National Park protects beaches,
rainforest, reefs and islands, but there is also plenty of beach and forest
outside the park that is easy to explore, and with pastime possibilities
that include sport fishing, horseback riding, white water refting,
snorkeling, sea kayaking, sunset cruises and a bit of nightlife, you'll
never be at a loss for what to do. UNDISCOVERED SOUTH PACIFIC One of the wildest and most spectacular regions in Costa
RIca, the southwest coast is rich in natural assets and low on tourists,
which makes it an ideal destination for anyone who wants to stray from the
beaten path. The area around Dominical features such dramatic coastal
scenery as deserted beaches, rugged offshore islands and steep hillsides
draped with lush vegetation. Much of the region's rainforest is protected
within private reserves, several of which have impressive waterfalls to
complement the flora and fauna. The coast and islands south of Uvita Point
are protected within Ballena National Marine Park, which was named for the
whales that are occasionally seen there. There are plenty of small lodges
scattered along the coast and tucked into the hills between Dominical and
Colorado, offering a choice of accommodations that caters to all tastes and
budgets. The Osa Peninsula, further to the south, is an even wilder
area, with beaches that have hardly changed. |
