Off the Western Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the quaint village of Manuel Antonio can be found. Once a small-scale fishing community is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country.
Every year, thousands of visitors flock to one of the most famous National Parks: Manuel Antonio National Park. Despite being one of the smallest parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio has a large arsenal of activities on offer.
While many people come to marvel at the high biodiversity within the National Park, others come to escape the hustle and bustle of accustomed city life, by relaxing on one of the many beaches found in the region.
Costa Rica is renowned for having some of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in the world, and Manuel Antonio is no exception. However, with many people sticking to the main strip of beach in the town, pristine and undiscovered beaches lay in wait of discovery on the periphery of Manuel Antonio.
For those wishing to discover some of the best beaches in Manuel Antonio, read on. We just ask for one thing: leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photographs. We want you to enjoy the natural beauty of these stunning beaches, at no cost to the environment.
Table of Contents
Beaches of Manuel Antonio
Playa Espadilla
Perhaps one of the most famous beaches around the area, Playa Espadilla stretches for near 3km. Separated into distinct sections (which will be covered below), Espadilla is the perfect place to spend a relaxing and fun-filled day with the family.
Just on the outskirts of the main town, Espadilla provides a large public and free-access beach that can be enjoyed by all – tourists and locals alike. Take a leisurely stroll along the soft, golden sand or take a plunge into the refreshing waters. Here, watersport activities such as parasailing and surfing can be enjoyed.
Local vendors can be found hauling products across the beach. Enjoy a deliciously sweet copos; a milk-based snow cone of varying flavors, or a fresh coconut drenched in rum – the true Pura Vida spirit.
Playa Espadilla Sur
Towards the Southern end of Espadilla, you will find another beach: Playa Espadilla Sur. Often referred to as Playa Dos by locals, this is essentially the second part to Espadilla.
Unlike the main portion of Espadilla, Playa Sur is within the boundaries of Manuel Antonio National Park – an area rich in biodiversity. Behind, great trees dominate the scenery and are home to countless species.
However, proceed with caution, for the idyllic surroundings hide a menacing secret. This portion of the coastline is prone to dangerous rip currents that can sweep unsuspecting visitors out to sea. On the shoreline, deadly manzana de la muerte trees litter the beach – a tree that can cause skin irritations to the touch.
Playa Manuel Antonio
Often referred to as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, this Eastern beach has views of verdant forests and crystal-clear waters. The protected bay offers the perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling. In fact, lonely planet stated that this is one of the best beaches in the world.
This comes as no surprise. The white sand is lined with tropical foliage, including Instagram-worthy shots of the looming palm trees scattered around. The jungle orchestra is all around, with howler and capuchin monkeys frequently sighted on this beach.
Playa Escondido
Deep within the park, often away from the hordes of tourists, discover the stunning Playa Escondido. With many visitors staying close to the previous beaches mentioned, many fail to even know Escondido exists.
This beach requires quite a hike to get to. As you traverse through the primary rainforest, rich in life, and up significant elevations, it is quite unlikely you will pass many tourists. The jungle is yours. At the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with Playa Escondido. An incredibly picturesque beach, surrounded by forest that adds to the isolated illusion.
Playa Las Gemelas
Another hidden beach within the National Park, Playa Las Gamalas is a small and secluded stretch of sand, encompassed by natural formations on all sides. After an arduous hike through the jungle, relax on the tranquil shores of Las Gemelas.
Similar to Escondido, fewer tourists venture to this part of the National Park. Consequently, more times than not, you may find you have the beach to yourself. Explore the rocky formations, or perhaps snorkel offshore to discover the abundance of colorful life to be seen under the waves. This is a truly wild beach and seemingly remote beach.
Heading away from the National Park now, some of the following beaches may be a tad harder to find. However, with a car to hand, you can explore the side roads and meandering streets and discover the lesser-known beaches on offer around Manuel Antonio.
Playa Biesanz
Although public, few tourists know of Playa Biesanz. Instead, this is a predominantly Tico beach. A small trail leads down onto the soft, sandy slopes where you can relax to your heart’s content. However, due to the imposing cliffs that surround Playa Biesanz, you may wish to get here early in the day to soak up those early morning rays.
Playa Playita
A rather large beach, approximately a 20/25-minute walk from the main town. Despite being a considerable distance from town, this beach is found in the far northern stretch of Playa Espadilla. Here, you can enjoy a surf lesson or indulge in a picnic, as you listen to the ocean.
Whilst still on the main stretch of beach, it is far enough away from the hordes of tourists that cluster towards the main town. This is also an LGBT-friendly area.
Playa La Macha
This is a beach for the adventurers at heart. The way down to this secluded spot is no easy feat. Visitors will have to make the arduous climb down (and consequently back up) to the beach, as vehicles are not permitted anywhere near this stretch of tropical paradise.
Off the beaten track, Playa La Mancha is a fantastic discovery to make. If you’re not a fan of big crowns, this could be the beach for you. Head North from the main town of Manuel Antonio towards Villa Caimito.
So, there you have it. Some of the best beaches in Manuel Antonio. Some are internationally renowned, others have never been heard of before by tourists. Will you dare to explore some of the lesser-known beaches that surround the beautiful Pacific coast?
How to get to Manuel Antonio
Car
From the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, traveling via car to Manuel Antonio takes approximately 3 hours. Albeit the journey is a beautiful one – crossing an array of landscapes; including mountains, coastal zones, and jungles.
This is the fastest and most accessible way of traveling to Manuel Antonio. By renting a car, visitors have the freedom to explore outer beaches with relative ease. The journey is straightforward. From Juan Santamaria International Airport, head towards Jaco via Highway 1. Once on the highway, the road is a continuous one, all the way into Quepos; the nearest big town to Manuel Antonio.
Bus
Public transport throughout Costa Rica is well established and relatively reliable. Public buses are a great way for those traveling on a budget. At around $10 round trip, buses leave the San Jose terminal of Tracopa daily (from 6 am to 6:30 pm) and do not require a reservation – just turn up at least 30 minutes prior to departure time to secure a spot. Of course, travel time via bus is longer, especially if you’re on the “collectivo”, but it allows you to truly immerse yourself in the wonderful countryside.
Air
The final option of how to get to Manuel Antonio is by air. From the domestic terminal at Juan Santamaria airport, flights leave several times per day. This is by far the quickest option, with flights taking as short as 20 minutes. Of course, this express delivery comes with a cost. Typical airfare starts at around $50 but can go up into the $120+ for one way.
Flights arrive in the neighboring town of Quepos and are operated by the domestic airline, Sansa.
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