PacificCoast CostaRica
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days on the Costa Rica Pacific Coast delivers the most extraordinary combination of tropical beach and rainforest wildlife in Central America, where the extraordinary Manuel Antonio National Park packs one of the highest biodiversity densities on earth into a remarkable area of primary rainforest covering the finest white sand beaches on the Pacific, and where three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins and the extraordinary squirrel monkey are visible within metres of the ocean. This focused route covers the essential Pacific Coast. The extraordinary Manuel Antonio National Park beach and wildlife trails, the remarkable Nauyaca Waterfalls hidden in the jungle, the fine Dominical surf beach, the extraordinary Marino Ballena National Park whale tail and whale watching, the Hacienda Baru wildlife refuge, and the finest Pacific ceviche and grilled fish on the coast.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season for beach and wildlife
Getting There
Fly into SJO or Quepos La Managua (XQP)
Getting Around
Hired car or shuttle, 3.5 hours San Jose to Manuel Antonio
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat beach with some jungle trails
DAY 1
MANUEL ANTONIO
MORNING
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE AND BEACH
The most extraordinary small national park in Central America and one of the finest wildlife parks in the world per hectare. The remarkable wildlife on the beach trails includes extraordinary three-toed sloths in the cecropia trees, white-faced capuchin monkeys on the beach, the remarkable endangered squirrel monkey and the extraordinary Jesus Christ lizard. The fine white sand beaches are surrounded by outstanding primary rainforest. Entry approx 18 USD. Book online ahead. 20 min walk
MIDDAY
CATHEDRAL POINT TRAIL
The extraordinary Cathedral Point trail around the Manuel Antonio headland, the finest trail in the park, giving remarkable views of the Pacific and the extraordinary offshore islands. The fine Playa Biesanz behind the headland is the finest quiet beach near Manuel Antonio, accessible by a short walk through outstanding forest with remarkable wildlife. 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
QUEPOS MANGROVE BOAT TOUR
The extraordinary mangrove estuary tour from Quepos, navigating remarkable channels where extraordinary American crocodiles sun on banks, fine boat-billed herons nest in the mangroves and the remarkable Amazon kingfisher hunts the tannin-stained channels. The finest wildlife boat tour accessible from Manuel Antonio. Tours approx 35 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Biesanz on the north side of the Manuel Antonio peninsula is the finest and most sheltered beach near Manuel Antonio, with calm water, fine shade and almost no crowds compared to the main park beaches. The remarkable snorkelling off the rocks is the finest near Manuel Antonio. Entry with park ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: El Avion Restaurant Outstanding breakfast at the famous converted US military plane restaurant. Extraordinary Pacific views. | Lunch: Soda inside Manuel Antonio Simple outstanding casado or ceviche at the park restaurant. Fresh fish caught daily. | Dinner: El Avion, Manuel Antonio The finest restaurant on the Pacific Coast. Extraordinary view from a converted C-123 transport plane.
DAY 2
DOMINICAL
MORNING
NAUYACA WATERFALLS HORSEBACK OR HIKE
The most extraordinary waterfall accessible from the Pacific Coast, the remarkable Nauyaca Waterfalls 12km south of Dominical, where two extraordinary cascades of 45 metres and 10 metres plunge into a remarkable natural pool surrounded by outstanding primary jungle. The trail is reachable by 3-hour horseback ride or 4-hour return walk from the trailhead. The extraordinary natural pool is the finest swimming spot on the Pacific Coast. Tours approx 60 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DOMINICAL SURF BEACH
The extraordinary Dominical surf beach, the finest beach break on the Central Pacific, where remarkable hollow waves attract outstanding surfers and the extraordinary black sand beach is backed by primary jungle reaching to the edge. The fine surf schools offer lessons for all levels. The remarkable wildlife in the forest behind the beach includes the fine white-faced capuchin and extraordinary coatis. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MARINO BALLENA NATIONAL PARK WHALE TAIL BEACH
The extraordinary Whale Tail beach at Playa Uvita where a remarkable rock and sand formation creates a perfect whale tail shape visible from the air. The remarkable tidal walk to the end of the whale tail at low tide is the finest experience in Uvita. The extraordinary humpback whales visible during July to October are the finest whale-watching in Costa Rica. Entry approx 6 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Catarata Diamante near Uvita, a remarkable waterfall dropping directly onto a black sand beach where jungle, falls and Pacific Ocean meet simultaneously, is one of the most extraordinary hidden features on the Pacific Coast. Accessible by a short hike from Diamante Eco-Adventure Park or by kayak at high water. Almost entirely overlooked.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Nauyaca horseback departure. Long day ahead. | Lunch: Packed lunch at Nauyaca pool The finest jungle picnic in Costa Rica at the extraordinary natural pool. | Dinner: Dominical beach restaurants Outstanding fresh mahi-mahi and tuna ceviche at a Dominical beachside restaurant. Extraordinary sunset.
DAY 3
MARINO BALLENA
MORNING
MARINO BALLENA SNORKEL AND WILDLIFE BOAT
The extraordinary Marino Ballena National Park marine tour, where remarkable underwater coral gardens around the offshore islands shelter extraordinary reef fish, fine sea turtles and the remarkable whale sharks that visit seasonally. The outstanding boat tour includes snorkel stops and wildlife spotting including humpback whales during the July to October season. Entry approx 6 USD, tour approx 55 USD. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
HACIENDA BARU WILDLIFE REFUGE
The extraordinary Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge between Dominical and Manuel Antonio, one of the finest privately managed reserves on the Pacific Coast, with remarkable trails through outstanding primary rainforest and the finest birdwatching on the Central Pacific. The fine white-faced capuchin troops move through the canopy daily. Entry and guided tour approx 25 USD. 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
QUEPOS MARINA AND PACIFIC FAREWELL SUNSET
The extraordinary Quepos marina, the finest Pacific sport fishing port in Costa Rica, where remarkable deep-sea fishing boats return with extraordinary yellowfin tuna and sailfish catches. The remarkable Pacific sunset from the marina waterfront is the finest farewell to the Costa Rica Pacific Coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Ventanas near Platanillo south of Dominical, a remarkable beach with extraordinary sea caves and rock arches accessible at low tide, is one of the finest hidden beaches on the Central Pacific. The remarkable blowhole shoots extraordinary jets of water through the cave roof at high tide. Almost no tourists visit. Access from the highway and a short walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Marino Ballena boat tour. | Lunch: Uvita soda after boat Outstanding fresh tuna ceviche and grilled snapper at a Uvita soda after the extraordinary tour. | Dinner: La Luna, Manuel Antonio Outstanding fine dining with extraordinary Pacific sunset views from the hillside.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Manuel Antonio Hotel La Mariposa or Arenas del Mar. Hillside ocean views. Approx 150 to 400 USD per night. Uvita or Dominical Cuna del Angel or Oxygen Jungle Villas. Approx 100 to 250 USD per night. Budget Hotel Byblos or Backpackers Costa Linda. Approx 25 to 70 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Manuel Antonio park entry online at sinac.go.cr. Tickets sell out completely in peak season.
2. Enter the park at opening (7am). Wildlife is most active in the morning. Midday animals rest.
3. Hire a certified wildlife guide at the park entrance. Spotting sloths without one is very difficult.
4. Nauyaca Falls horseback tours depart at 8am. Book the day before through a Dominical operator.
5. Marino Ballena whale watching peaks July to October. Humpbacks calve in this protected bay.
6. Manuel Antonio beach can have riptides. Always swim between the flags and watch the currents.
Total Budget
85 to 570 USD/day