Beach Information – Visit Manuel Antonio

Beaches in Manuel Antonio

So you have visited the National Park, participated in a couple of activities and now you just want a nice and relaxing day on the beach. Well Manuel Antonio has also plenty to offer for a nice beach day. There are five beaches in Manuel Antonio (National Park beaches not included). Beaches where you can snorkel, beaches that are good for surfing, beaches with minimal waves that are ideal for a kayaking trip or a nice quiet secluded difficult to reach beach with not a lot of other people. Some beaches are easy to reach by bus and others are a bit of a walk/hike away. On this page you will find the information you need for the different beaches.

Playa Biesanz

Hidden down a rugged jungle trail, deep in the heart of Manuel Antonio, visitors will find a beautiful protected cove that harbors some of the area’s most pristine beaches. Playa Biesanz is one of our top 3 beaches in the Manuel Antonio area and a great beach for calmer waters and beautiful views. This small cove beach isn’t super easy to get to but for those who make the journey, it is well worth the trip.

Arriving at the entrance to the trailhead, visitors are normally met by street parking guards who pledge to guard vehicles for a couple thousand colones. While these guys are not official government employees, they can be trusted to keep an eye on your car, and it becomes your decision if you want to support their cause. These car attendants depend on your good graces and can absolutely be trusted to protect your vehicle from theft and damage.

From the parking area, Playa Biesanz is just a short hike away. This beach is the best beach in the area for snorkeling. Rent or bring your own snorkel and fins and swim out to a rocky area off the coast where visibility is best and fish are prevalent. This area will usually be marked by tour boats that bring their guests to snorkel here. You can typically rent a kayak and snorkel gear by the hour from locals on the beach. If you decide to swim out to the rocky snorkel area, be sure to have a life jacket as the swim is further than it looks. This is the best beach for small children and calm waters as it is a protected cove with small waves.

Playa Espadilla

Hosting over 1 km of pristine beach real estate, Playa Espadilla is easily the largest and most action-packed beach in the Manuel Antonio area. This slice of heaven extends from just outside Manuel Antonio’s national park all the way north to what becomes Playa Playitas. On this beach, you can normally expect to find a variety of things to do as well as vendors selling everything from ceviche to cigars and jewelry. This beach is perfect for parasailing, sunsets, lunch service, surfing, and horseback riding. This is the most accessible beach in Manuel Antonio so expect the larger crowds and lots of umbrella and chair rentals. Playa Espadilla is a great beach for beginner surfers, as the waves tend to be medium-sized and the beach floor is mostly soft sand. Surf camps can be found spread out in multiple areas down the beach and can normally accept surfers throughout the day depending on the tide. Surfboard rentals are also available and normally run $15-$20 for an hour or two rental. Surf lessons normally run for around $65 per person and include water, snacks, a 1.5-hour lesson, and a 2-hour board rental. The surf instructors are some of the coolest and best surfers in the area.

Playa Playitas

Playa Playitas is one of Manuel Antonio’s most exclusive beaches because getting here requires a fair walk or a 4×4 vehicle. While it is designated its own beach, you will learn that its really an extension of Playa Espadilla and could also be classified as Playa Espadilla Norte. Playa Playitas has by far the best surfing waves and will normally host fewer visitors. Love is love at Playa Playitas, so expect to see colorful flags and many same sex couples.

Playa La Macha

Playa La Macha is tucked in a little cove between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. There is no direct road access to the beach, which is what makes it so secluded.

Only a handful of villas are close enough for the inhabitants to trek down to the beach easily. Everybody else who wants to visit will have to enjoy about a 40-minute hike to get there.

Playa La Macha is a very tranquil beach. It’s not large and is tucked into a little cove. There are gentle waves, but generally less powerful than on the main beach. This makes it nice for taking a relaxing swim. Also, there are some large rocks in the water which makes for some great snorkeling. You might even see some Pacific lobsters (these are the kind without the big claws) hiding in the crevices.

Often when you visit this beach, you’ll be the only person there. However, some people seek out this private beach for this very reason. Thus, they may be enjoying the sun’s rays in nothing but their birthday suit.

Again, the beach is secluded, so don’t expect any amenities. There are no showers, bathrooms, or changing areas. There won’t be chairs or umbrellas to rent and nobody is there with a food cart. Bring snacks and plenty of water so you can safely enjoy your day.

Don’t forget to pick up all your trash and personal belongings when you leave. As always, you should leave nothing but footprints behind on this gorgeous little piece of paradise.

Playa Vaca

If you really want to get away from the crowds, then the beaches of La Macha and La Vacha can be great options for you.

These are a couples beaches that follow one after another off the coast just north of Playa Biesanz and Playa Tulemar. They are a bit more difficult to get to as they do require a bit of hiking from the roadside.

But if you are looking for a more secluded beach then these can all be great options for you.