Beaches of the Osa Peninsula and surounding areas have a variety of beaches. From thick mangroves to open sandy beaches. At low tide they can go for ever. Most beaches you will find only yourself on the whole beach.
Lets start with the most popular, The main beach in Puerto Jimenez in front of delfines beach resturant,on the weekends has a lot of traffic, maybe 20 people. The beach goes out over a 100 feet and you will be only waist deep in the water. it is great for swimming.
After swimming, enjoying a ice cold beer at Delfines
Above is a Google map of all the beaches on the Osa Peninsula.
Playa Puntareitas
Playa Platanares
Playa Puntareitas beach,is right across from the Crocodile bay dock to the right . It goes all the way to the point then it turns into Playa Platanares. On the point it is very good beach fishing. At low tide you can go all the way to the point and end up going down the beach to Agua Dulce a beach hotel
.Agua Dulce beach hotel has a swimming pool and a decent bar. Hamburgers and fries are very good. For $2.00 or sometimes free you can use theirn swimming pool. Before heading back down the beach back to Puerto Jimenez, remember, about the tides .
Best time for Beach Hikes.
Best time for beach hikes is 2 hrs before low water to 2 hrs after low tide. Playa Puntareitas is good for swimming , but keep an eye out for crocodiles. You will see lots of wildlife on the beaches and maybe even some dolphins or whales breaching in the water .
Playa Preciosa
Playa Preciosa ,Beach is right in front of the Agua Dulce beach hotel. The beach is sandy with lots of palm tree’s, The last time I was there there were a lot of Scarlett Macaw’s. Not the best beach to swim in, lots of waves and sometime high winds. The Sunrise is to die for.
Driving to Playa Preciosa
You can also Drive out to Playa Preciosa The road is is on the far side of the airport run way . Start heading towards the water , the road will curve around the end of the runway. Take the first right and stay on that road until you get to Playa Preciosa. Go down a beach road and you will be there.
Walking to Playa Preciosa
I did at one time, walking all the way out to Playa Preciosa. It took me over two hrs, of course I was photographing the whole way. It is a wonderful easy hike.
One of my Favorite Beach is on the way to Matapal
Getting to Matapalo.
You can catch the colectivo Van and have them drop you off along the way.
Driving to Matapalo
If you are driving, When you go down main street in Puerto Jimenez and get to BM grocery’s store. Take a right at the stop sign and stay on that road. The road will go all the way to carate and the trail head to the park. Depending on the road conditions it can take up to 2 hrs
Playa Zapote
Getting to this beach take the first left going down to the beach heading to Matapalo. It is at the end off the paved road, you will see a sign saying Pelican house on the left hand side of the road. Turn left and the road will take you to the beach. You have to go thru a small river. The river may be 12 inches deep, but if it has been raining it might be deeper. When you get to the beach there will be a road to the left. If you take that road it will go for 100 meters and come to an end, you will be next to a river and the beach. On the beach there are shade tress you can sit under. you can dip in the river to cool off. On the right day ,beach fishing is very good .
Playa Colorado
To get to this beach it will be the next road to the left righ past playa Zapote. This beach has a sandy beach and is best at low tide. There are some almond trees on the beach, Scarlet Macaws love the beach almonds from the trees. Park before the end of the road and walk down to the beach and on the right hand side there will be a cluster of almond trees . You should see Macaws ,move very slowly or just ignore them and the birds will relize you are not a threat.
It is not the best beach to swim in , Big surf and winds some times. It is a great place to hang out under the almond tress and just Relax, unwind, take a break from the world.
Playa Tamales
Take the next left towards the beach after Playa Colorado. This beach at certian times will have different runs of fish. When the fish are running there will be hundreds of people fishing. The fishing is great just about all the time at playa Tamales. not the best beach to swim at , espeically if your a fish.
Playa Sombero
It is a nice long beach , that has some protection on a calm day. The beach is a low tide beach, on low tide you can walk out for 50 meters. It can be good swinging on the right day. There are some resorts where you might come across some people, but for the most part it will just be you and the beach. Like all the beaches you will see wild life.
The next series of beaches are part of Matapalo. Matapalo is a very nice community . Every one has the same life style. There is no Electricity in Matapalo. Most hotels, houses to rent and lodges has some sort of solor power. along with DC lighting at night. All the beaches will have people on them.
The farthest beach in Matapalo is the back wash . The Back wash is a sufers paridise, it has a nice break and it is long.
Then there are the nature peopel.Throw in some yoga. As you stretch your torso to a something of a knott maybe not the best thing to do. Then the white face monkeys will run down form the trees and steal your hand bag. As you try to untie yourself from the Knott your yoga instructor showed you how to do. After yoga and chasing the monkey you settle down for a fresh fruit breakfast. You give in to the fact the monkey has won the battle, well for the day. Your host walks up and smiles Pura Vida. Ok You give in ,and respond Pura Vida as pinapple juice spills out of your mouth . Now that’s a sweet Pinapple .
The Best beaches to swim at are located inside the Golfo Dulce , sweet gulf .
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca Beach is on the road going out of Puerto Jimenez. Take the road out of Puerto Jimenez and you will see signs saying Playa Blanca .
Drive for 15 to 20 min, you will come to a sharp long curve going to the left. Before you get to the curve there will be a road that is on the right ,take that road. The road is only 50 meters long, then it will come to a stop sign. Take a right and the road will go to Playa Blanca. The Beach has a road going in both derictions along the beach. The beach goes for miles , it is a sandy beach and is great for swimming. There will be lots of shade trees to stay under to get out of the sun. Remember do not sit under a coconut tree. Coconuts do fall to the ground.
There is a beach restaurant that has great seafood. Their fried snapper is outstanding . There is also a pizza restaurant that has some of the best pizza’s on the Osa Peninsula. During Costa Rica holidays the beach fills up with families camping out on the beach, Mondya thru Friday is the best time to go to Playa Blanca .
Playa Canaza
Heading back to town. The next beach will be in Canaza , there will be a sign. Canaza beach has a road along the the beach where you can park and spend a day under a shade tree. It is a gravel beach, it is ok to swim in and the fishing can be good on high tide
Black Beach
It is right after Playa Canaza. It has a road go along the beach. The Beach is best to visit at low tide. At high tide the water comes all the way up to the road.
Playa La Cuna
You will see signs alog the road for a beach restaurant ,take the road to the beach. la Cuna beach is small beach , it is good for swiming. What is nice about this beach, is there is a restaurant close to the beach.
They just put in a swimming pool and cabinas you can rent out. The food at the restuarunt is excellent . big portions , one plate is enough to feed two people and the price is very good. Thier pizza, for a deluxe pizza is under $14.00 and can feed 4 people.
Playa Aguas
Take the first road to the left at the soccer field. The beach is muddy , like knee deep muddy. There is a family of white face monkey’s that live there.
Playa Sandalo
There will be a sign The beach is surounded by mangroves , it is a good beach to swim at, plus on high tide it is great fishing.
Take an adventure go down dirt roads going to the beach. Explore the Osa Penisula. The best time to see wild life is at sunrise. Which means getting up before the sun and getting to a beach as the sun comes up. Sandalo beach has monkey’s ,birds and lots of wild life up close and personal.