Manzanillo Beach

Photo courtesy of Flickr creative commons dancingrabbit

Unspoiled Beaches with Remote Access

The beach town of Manzanillo is just north of the popular surf destination of Santa Teresa but it’s a world apart. Manzanillo boasts a stunning white sand beach though the ocean is a bit rocky less than perfect but acceptable for swimming. Unspoiled beaches to the north of Manzanillo are isolated, lack road access or have no dwellings including Coyote Beach (Playa Coyote) which is a four hour walk. Although four-wheel drive vehicles can make it to the secluded beaches, during the Rainy Season the journey is impassable.

Few services are available and there are only a small number of accommodations, bars and restaurants. Activities include snorkeling in the nearby lagoon that because it’s protected by a rocky reef teams with exotic marine life, and neardby natural wonders Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve and Montezuma Waterfalls.

Access is by Highway 160 or a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera or Naranjo Beach and then driving, with flights available to nearby Sámara via San José and Liberia.