Exploring Costa Rica Guidebook

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NICOYA PENINSULA

SANTA CRUZ & NICOYA

APPEARING more like the U.S. wild west, where cowboys and cattle are the norm. National Folklore City and hub for roads leading west and south to Nicoya Península beaches, Nicoya is the gateway to Nosara/Sámara.

TAMARINDO

JUST 33 km. south of Playa Grande, 36 km. west of Belén turn-off, Tamarindo is growing by leaps and bounds with surfing, sunning, Int'l restaurants, nightlife.

PLAYA LANGOSTA

PLAYA Langosta is separated from Tamarindo by a rocky headland at high tide. Inland, Tamarindo becomes Playa Langosta just past Hotel Capitán Suizo.

SAN JOSE DE PINILLA

GREAT Scuba diving off this beach.

PLAYA AVELLANAS

THREE km. south of Pinilla, along very rough road, mangrove-lined Playa Avellanas is a surfer's haven.

PLAYA NEGRA

ANOTHER surfer's dream, sometimes accessible via beach road; more reliable is 6-km. dirt road, west of Paraíso.

PLAYA JUNQUILLAL

PEACEFUL, beautiful, blue-flag beach, 3 km. south of Paraíso. Ride horses at Paradise Riding, at Hotel Tatanka.

SOUTHWEST-SHORE NICOYA PENINSULA

ROUGH roads have kept most of these beaches and forests remote, perfect for tropical peace.

PLAYA FRIJOLAR - OSTIONAL

FABULOUS, deserted beach, great for camping.

NOSARA - PLAYA PELADA

FROM Ostional, 7 km. rough roads, rivers flood in rainy season; best route is south from Nicoya, 10 km. paved road, then 22 km. dirt road to Nosara. Beaches are spread out, well-signed access roads.

PLAYA GUIONES

NOT a building on the beach, fantastic surfing here.

PLAYA GARZA

WATERS abound with dorado and sailfish off this tranquil beach.

PLAYA SAMARA

A pleasant mix of European and Tico, Sámara Beach is growing up fast; paved road all the way from Nicoya and even a new sidewalk in town, but still miles of tree-shaded, uncrowded beach to explore.

PLAYA CARRILLO

SOUTH of Sámara 6 km., palm-fringed, half-moon Playa Carrillo, without a single building; hotels on heights overlooking beach.

PUNTA ISLITA

THIS protected beach curves along the covenear the village, decorated in murals with creative work for sale by local artisans.

SOUTH & EAST NICOYA SHORES

PLAYA NARANJO

SUBDUED atmosphere, thanks to planned marina that never happened. Ferry gives access to some off-the-beaten-path hotels.

BAHIA LUMINOSA

VIRGIN forest down to the sea, crowded with howler monkeys, not people.

PLAYA POCHOTE

SMALL scenic bay with gentle waves.

MONTEZUMA

ABOUT 18 km. south of Tambor along bumpy road: Montezuma has a funky charm,

eclectic restaurants, lively nightlife, plus beaches, waterfall walks, fishing, wildlife.

CABUYA

FIVE km. south of Montezuma, along rough road, tranquil Cabuya, The Gateway to

Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. Visit caboblancopark.com.

MAL PAIS-PLAYA SANTA TERESA

SOUTH of Cóbano, 12 km. quickly developing community stretched along rough,

oceanfront road. Surfing, beach combing, partying, horses, tours attract young and older crowd. Cóbano has gas, supermarket and bank machine. Check out malpais.net.

MAL PAIS

TRANQUIL village with charming hotels, known as a top surf destination and adjacent to nature reserve.