Take a break!

If you think you need a lot of money to go exploring, you may not have considered these options. What’s important is to get organized, don’t spend more than you have to and explore the country with your friends and family.

Visit Cartago:

Do you prefer the beach or the mountain?

• Ruins of Ujarrás: Located in the Cachí District of Paraíso Canton, these ruins are full of stories. One of their greatest attractions is the Catholic Templo de la Purísima Concepción del Rescate de Ujarrás, an ideal spot to take some great photos with your friends.
  Free admission.
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Parking: yes.
  What does it have? Picnic tables, barbecue areas, drinking water, green areas, restrooms.
• Playas de Doña Ana The Playas de Doña Ana Tourist Rest Stop is located just 2 hours from San José. Its closeness to the capital is the reason for its popularity. The rest stop has picnic tables, gazebos, barbecue pits and drinking water. If you’re looking for some Pacific sun without going too far, this option may be perfect for you.
  Admission: ₡1,700 for adults (about $2.50), ₡850 for senior citizens (about $1.25) and ₡500 for children (about $0.85).
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Parking: ₡1,500 ($2.55)
  What does it have? Restaurant area, barbecue spots, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, places to store clothing, drinking water taps, parking, exterior lighting, private security. The provisions of Law 7600 apply here.
• Volcán Poás National Park There’s no question that our country has impressive volcanoes: Poás is a fine example, newly opened after being closed for 16 months due to volcanic activity. It’s re-opened for visits, so make your plans now if it’s on your list. New safety measures are in place such as the use of helmets, groups of 50 people or less and the time allowed at the crater: follow the instructions of park authroities.
  Admission: ₡1,000 ($1.65) for adults, ₡500 ($0.85) for children.
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  Parking: ₡1,000 (about $1.65).
  Allowed time: 20 minutes at the volcano lookout.

Mountains and volcanoes:

• Volcán Irazú National Park: The country’s highest volcano with impressive views. The Irazú volcano has five craters and is located 31 km from Cartago. Bring a warm jacket, since temperatures can drop as low as 5°C to 9°C (41-48 °F).
  Admission: ₡1,000 ($1.65) for adults, ₡500 ($0.85) for children.
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (includes holidays).
  Parking: ¢1100 (about $1.65).
  What does it have? Cafeteria, picnic tables, restrooms.
• Bosque del Niño: This gorgeous hiking spot in San Isidro de Grecia is perfect for shedding your daily stress. It’s perfect to appreciate nature or enjoying a picnic with your family. You can also stay to camp if you’d like. There’s even a soccer field, so you know where to go on your next trip.
  Admission: ₡500 (about $0.85) for children aged 3 to 11 or ₡600 (about $1.05) for adults.
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  Parking: free.
  What does it have? Restrooms, trails, waterfall (private property), gazebos.
• El Paraíso Waterfall: The entrance to this jewel of a property is just 3 km from the Catholic church of San Miguel de Grecia. A 65-meter waterfall will give you the refreshment you’ve been looking for. Just another option to go touristing with friends and family.
  Admission: Admission: ₡3,000 (about $4.95) per person. Children aged 3-5 ₡2,000 (about $3.30).
  Camping fee: ₡5,000 (about $8.25) per person.
  Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (calling prior to your visit is recommended to confirm hours).
  Parking: yes.
  What does it have? Pool, showers, trails, camping, picnic tables, table in front of the waterfall.

A family getaway that’s easy on the wallet

We often think that heading out on holiday requires a lot of money, but that’s not always how it is. That’s why we wanted to show you a place where you can get out of the house without spending too much.

35 km from San José

The Mirador de Orosi (Orosi Lookout) is a special place where you can spend time with your family, or bring your partner for an anniversary celebration.

So head to Cartago and enjoy a very pleasant Saturday or Sunday. In fact, it is only 35 km (22 miles) from San José and, on average, it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes in car, depending on traffic. Admission is free!

Come and enjoy its excellent weather and the cool breezes you’ve been waiting for. In addition, since it is owned by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) admission is totally free of charge – just one more reason to visit.

Get your fruit basket and other supplies ready and prepare to enjoy these verdant surroundings.

What do I need to know?

• Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Price: Free entry
• Services: Children’s playground, green areas, restrooms. Accessible under the provisions of Law 7600 on equality of opportunity for persons with special needs. There is also plenty of space to move around, barbecue spots, drinking water, security, picnic tables, and parking.
• Bus service: From Cartago on the Orosi or Cachí route.
• Address: 3 km (2 miles) from the Paraíso de Cartago church on the road to Orosi.

A site with a rich history

Ujarrás is a town in the Cachí District of Paraíso Canton in Cartago, which in addition to its privileged setting in the Orosi Valley, holds a wealth of history from our ancestors. We were to this beautiful area of Cartage and we will tell you what we saw...

Enjoy with your family at no additional cost

Among its most popular tourist attractions are the country’s oldest buildings, including the Catholic Templo de la Purísima Concepción del Rescate in Ujarrás.

According to the story, the current temple was built between 1691 and 1693 by the order of Governor Gómez de Lara. This old construction was made with stone and lime, the traditional system of the time.

Enjoy a traditional caldosa

The ruins of Ujarrás are waiting for you to discover the beauty of their surroundings and enjoy a garden that will make your daily stress melt away.

In addition, you can enjoy a delicious, traditional caldosa (corn chips and ceviche) prepared by local businesses.

Free admission

We took some great photos of the beautiful landscapes here, you can too!

More information

• Address: 5 km (3.2 miles) east along the highway to Cachí.
• Services: Picnic tables, barbecue areas, drinking water, green areas, restrooms.
• Bus service: From Cartago on the Orosi or Cachí route.

Tour Cartago on the cheap

Take the vacation that you or your family have been looking forward to!
Cartago is a beautiful province that offers a variety of free destinations where you can go to enjoy your next day off or weekend.

Have lunch in the great outdoors

Just 2 km (1.3 miles) east of the church of Paraíso de Cartago, there are peaceful green areas for you to enjoy.
The lookout is ideal to feel sit and read a good book, admire nature and share lunch on their picnic tables

Visit the Cachí dam as well

Just like the Mirador de Orosi, admission here is completely free of charge. The two are also not far apart, so you can see both in a single day.
In addition, just 8 km (5 miles) away you can see the Cachí dam, which is worth a look.

Everything you need to know

• Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Address: 2 km (1.3 miles) east of the church of Paraíso
• Admission: Free
• Services: Children’s playground, green areas, restrooms. Accessible under the provisions of Law 7600 on equality of opportunity for persons with special needs. There is also plenty of space to move around, barbecue spots, drinking water, security, picnic tables and parking.
• Bus service: You can take a bus behind the Sagrado Corazón School, just across from the Parque de las Ruinas in Cartago. Driving from San José takes about an hour.

Costa Rica is not only defined by its incredible landscapes, the beauty of its flora and fauna, or its world-class beaches: there is something more that lies just under the surface in our country, which fills us with pride: our diverse, multi-ethnic heritage.

To understand the country’s multicultural beginnings, we need to go back to its historic roots. The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1502 to the Caribbean coast brought the arrival of Jamaican inhabitants including people of Asian, Indian, Chinese and Italian descent, among others. Not to be forgotten are the Bribri and Cabécar indigenous groups, who inhabited the mountains of Talamanca, where they remain to this day.

That is why each time we approach the Caribbean coast we see the combination of delicious food, marvelous people, rhythmic dances and an African culture that remains vibrant.

According to the latest national census, 8% of Costa Ricans are of African descent, half of whom live in the province of Limón, on the Caribbean coast.

In the 1980s, Costa Rica decreed August 31 as the Día del Negro (Black Peoples Day), which was later expanded by degree to the celebration of the Día del Negro y la Cultura Afrocostarricense (Black Peoples and Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day). On April 26, 2018, Law no. 9526 was published in the National Gazette, declaring August the Month of the History of African-Descended Peoples in Costa Rica.

This date was chosen in commemoration of the First International Convention of the Negro Peoples of the World, which concluded with a ceremony in Madison Square Garden on August 31, 1920. The discussions at the conference culminated in the publication of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World.

An additional impetus for the country to come together in celebration is the commemoration of the International Decade for People of African Descent in 2015-2024, declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations, citing the need to strengthen local, regional and international cooperation regarding the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, as well as their full and equal participation in every aspect of society.

This year, for the first time, a National Agenda for the Commemoration of Afro-Costa Rican Culture was presented, the purpose of which is to promote the inclusion and visibility of the cultural contributions of Afro-Costa Rican people.
That is why the country is celebrating over 110 activities in a national agenda filled with conversations, documents, poetry, Caribbean food tastings, photographic exhibits and cultural activities.

An August 31st full of color and music

This year will see the 21st annual Festival of Black Culture in Limón, which seeks to strengthen and preserve Afro-Costa Rican values. Since 1999, this colorful festival has filled the Caribbean province with music, celebrations and plenty of flavor, to the delight of domestic and international tourists who visit the region during these dates. The activities are organized by the Civic and Cultural Committee of the Black Peoples of Limón. This group assumed the challenge of creating a project that would last over time and would not allow the traditions of this incredible culture to be lost. Though people can enjoy various cultural activities over the course of the month, it is at the end of August that most families come together to experience the African flavors up close. The activities culminate in the most important celebration, Black Peoples and Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day, held on August 31. This is the day on which the Grand Parade de Gala is held. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m., leaving from Parque Asís Esna. Over the course of the parade, families can enjoy the best of the region’s music, dances, concerts and cuisine, as well as many more activities that mark this day, which is important for all Costa Ricans.

For a lot of us, when we think about Grecia, what comes to mind are images of coffee production, sugarcane, its famous car sales and the temple of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, which is a part of the architectural heritage of the country. But the truth is Grecia has much more to offer.

We set off towards this region in Alajuela to discover more in their neck of the woods. We made a stop at a cafe downtown to have a delicious coffee accompanied by a gallo pinto that’s worth coming back for. After refueling our bodies, we continued on our way to San Miguel Arriba de Grecia, where a farm with a true paradise within it was waiting for us.

You can camp on the farm

About 3 km east of the Catholic church, San Miguel de Grecia is the entrance to the farm. It’s 3 hectares in size, and in addition to having coffee, livestock and vegetables, it also features the wonderful Paradise Waterfall, which is fed by Vigía river.

The cars can’t make it down to the waterfall, so you should leave it near the road. Once we got our packs on our backs, we went down about 300 meters to get to the picnic area and to a delightful pool with a slide. Then we took a bushy path for about 100 meters and the waterfall greeted us warmly.

The beauty of this tour is that the path is very accessible for the whole family, and they have small tables in front of the waterfall where you can have lunch on your day off or weekend. If you prefer to camp, you also have that option here, so get ready and visit soon.

This is a getaway for those who are looking for fresh air surrounded by nature, and a trip not too far from the capital.

65 invigorating meters

The falls are approximately 65 meters high and 1 meter deep. Because of its impressive height, it looks like the water disperses as it falls, forming a white curtain.

This time around, our curiosity to see more of our country brought us to one of the largest districts, one that covers 80% of the total area of the Heredia province – we’re talking about Sarapiquí.

As soon as we were told about Don Leo Herra’s "Hormigas Town", we didn’t hesitate to find out for ourselves why it captures the attention of tourists visiting the area. So we got ready for our adventure with a fresh change of clothes, sunblock, and a good hat.
Leo, a 47-year-old father of three decided to leave his old job and dedicated himself to his passion: investigating the world of ants.

Leo began the pursuit of this dream in 2006, but it wasn’t until 2008 that the tour picked up momentum and gained popularity.
With training at the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), field observation in the forest, his own research, and of course looking things up on the Internet, Leo took about 2 years to learn more about these small insects.

Perfect for the whole family

This tour is highly recommended for the whole family and we don’t have the slightest doubt that the little ones will love it. Even we, the adults, found it jaw-dropping!

The day of the outing, the weather was spectacular and the warmth of this beautiful district didn’t leave our side for a single second. We were ready for the tour!

In about 1 hour we found out why ants don’t eat leaves, and why there can only be one queen in a colony.According to the people who told us about Leo, who also took on the role of tour leader, there are approximately 12,000 species of ants in the world, and about 600 ant species in Costa Rica.Ants also have the most members per colony out of all the insects.

In the "Hormigas Town" tour, you will see 3 established colonies that Leo designed in a very natural system that simulates what happens with these small insects in the forest. Usually they can travel 300 meters from where they collect their fuel (leaves) back to their colonies. Here on the tour, however, they only travel 80 meters. There is also a part at the beginning of their route called "El Súper" (“the supermarket”), which is where the ants get the raw material to make the fungus that they eat. You didn’t misread! If you thought that the ants ate leaves, you’ve been living a lie. The leaves are just the raw material that allows them to cultivate the fungus that is seen in the colonies. Certain worker ants are in charge of making food for the other ants by using leaves and their saliva.

Colonies can have up to 6 million ants

These insects have very important missions to accomplish. The worker ants mentioned above are the ones that cultivate the fungus for their food. Another group of worker ants are the ones in charge of getting the leaves. A third group of worker ants act as soldiers protecting the queen. They stand guard, looking out for intruders from other anthills. It’s also worth mentioning that they have Herculean strength, capable of carrying 300 to 400 times their own weight!What’s more, the queen plays such an important role for her colony that if she dies, her entire colony will perish too. We’re talking about a colony that can have 5 to 6 million ants within 5 years of being established - impressive!

While we toured the facilities containing the city of ants, Don Leo explained that once a year, a miracle of nature happens: "the nuptial flight", in which the queen is fertilized by the male. This provides her with millions of sperm so that she can lay eggs throughout her entire life. Once the male succeeds in his mission, he dies.

There’s no doubt that we learned a lot, and we know that you’ll enjoy it as much as we did. And if you have a niggling curiosity about how this queen is doing, there’s only one way to find out - traveling to Sarapiquí. Don Leo will surprise you with more interesting facts about these little friends.

The tour takes place within the property of Aguas Bravas Rafting, one of the companies affiliated with Vamos A Turistear, so you can take the opportunity to go on adventure tours too.

Aguas Bravas is located in the town of Chilamate, about 10 minutes from the intersection of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. At Aguas Bravas, you can enjoy tours such as: the very popular rafting, Canopy Zipline Tour, Night Safari, Safari Float, Sarapiqui a la Carta, Sarapiqui a la Carta Plus, Eco Rafting on the Sarapiquí River, horseback riding and you’ll find accommodations too. They also have a new experience that’s now available to the public – a special rural tourism offer. They definitely have everything you need to have an incredible weekend surrounded by the purity of nature.

If hiking is your thing, Manuel Antonio National Park has 6 different options for you to enjoy one of the country’s most visited parks.

It is important to underline that, as of February of this year, it has an elevated metal boardwalk that is 2.42 meters wide, designed so as to avoid impeding the passage of animals who live in the surrounding habitat.

It also has a railing designed for persons with disabilities, as well as children and seniors. In addition, the signage is also written in braille.

Find out about the main attractions:

• Trail: La Catarata The trailhead is 200 meters from the park entrance. The trail is 900 meters long and, as its name suggests, it leads to a small waterfall (catarata in Spanish). You will see some frogs along the way, if you look closely.
• Trail: El Perezoso This is one of the shortest trails: all visitors can enjoy it, as it runs parallel to the park’s main trail, along which visitors head to the various beaches and common areas, including showers and restrooms. This scenic trail is favored by many of the park’s sloths, and is accessible to the general public.
• Trail: Punta Catedral In addition to the park’s wonderful beaches, Punta Catedral is one of the most iconic parts of the park. It is 1.4 km long and takes about one hour to do the full tour. The site has several lookouts that allow you to enjoy spectacular views. The trailheads are located at the ends of the Espadilla Norte and Espadilla Sur beaches, which it connects. Punta Catedral is a favorite among both locals and foreign tourists.
• Trail: Playa Gemelas This short trail will take you to Playa Gemelas, and connects to the other trails in the western portion of the park. If you visit this trail during low tide, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique view of Punta Catedral.
• Trail: Mirador 1.3 kilometers in length, this trail will lead you to a gorgeous lookout from where you will be able to observe the majestic beauty of Punta Serrucho, a landmark that has been given a sawtooth appearance due to numerous tectonic movements.
• Congo Trail: This short trail connects Playa Gemelas and the Mirador Trail; it can be used as an alternative return route.

Advice:

• Take plenty of water if you plan on going down more than one trail.
• Don’t forget to take sunscreen, a hat to protect you from the sun, and insect repellent to guard against hungry mosquitoes.
• If you plan on exploring all of the trails, we recommend that you leave nice and early, as the park closes the trails at 4:00 p.m.
• Don’t leave the trails.

Recommendations:

• The manchineel tree, locally known as manzanillo, is toxic: do not sit underneath it or eat (or even touch) its fruits.
• Enjoy nature the right way: do not touch wild plants or animals, do not collect shells.
• We invite you to experience a walk through the woods using the extensive trail network and the lookouts located in the park’s highest points, at around 160 meters above sea level. These lookouts allow you to appreciate the scenic beauty of the coast and the vegetation located in the more distant sectors of the park.
• The use of appropriate footwear is recommended while walking on the forest paths. Sandals are not recommended. Try not to make noise, do not leave the public areas and do not climb on railings or signs.
• Take care of your belongings at all times and try not to carry food that attracts wildlife. Remember that feeding wild animals is not allowed. Some products may have a serious impact on their health and lead to changes in their behavior.
• Do not interact with the animals. Keep your distance and do not leave food within their reach.
• Help keep the area clean. Do not leave trash or any traces of your visit.
• The park sees fewer visitors during the months of September and October, since this is the peak of the rainy season. If you visit during this time, it is recommended to visit early in the day and use suitable clothing.
• It is important to remember that this park does not have vehicle parking and the only road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio has very heavy traffic during the peak season.
• The park rangers only work inside the park and their uniform bears the logos of the national park system, SINAC. Always remember that you can ask them for information if you need.
• The main entrance station has feedback forms where you can leave your opinion about the park.

It is important to note that the following are NOT allowed:

• Entering with food and/or drinks of any kind under the conditions and with exceptions set out by the park administration.
• Feeding wildlife.
• Entering with pets of any kind.
• Damaging the infrastructure, plant life, animals and other items in the area.
• Taking away firewood or building fires.
• Carrying weapons.
• Causing disturbances, behaving improperly or smoking, consuming liquor or drugs.
• Posting advertisements of any kind.
• Fishing or hunting.
• Beach umbrellas, beach balls, tents and hammocks are not allowed.

Sarapiquí is definitely full of surprises. We could not leave here without first visiting the Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Once you visit, you will never want to leave!

If you want to escape from the monotony and really connect with nature, you have to visit Tirimbina.

Our first activity was the Chocolate Tour, one of the most acclaimed attractions at the reserve. We learned so much about chocolate over the ninety-minute tour! We learned about the cacao plant, and the history and preparation of chocolate. Best of all, the tour included an interactive portion where you can combine the same chocolate with ingredients like cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, among others. The tour was not only educational, it was also delicious! So be ready for a dose of sweetness.
After the tour, we had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Pedro González, general manager of Tirimbina. He told us about the mission and vision of the reserve as we walked along the suspension bridges.

Biological Reserve is a hotspot for scientific research and environmental education

Mr. González explained that Tirimbina is not just a tourist destination, it is a center for environmental research and education. In this way the Tirimbina foundation seeks to share their knowledge and motivate more people to understand the importance of caring for our natural resources.

This reserve protects 345 hectares of forest, and is classified as a Private National Wildlife Refuge.

In fact, only a third of Tirimbina's forests are used for environmental ecotourism. Most of the reserve is untouched. There are 9 km of trails available for visitors so that they can get an up-close experience with forest life.

The great thing about Tirimbina is that it is a non-profit foundation; all of their profits are re-invested to continue promoting research and environmental education. The tours, the lodging and the restaurant were established in order to finance these objectives, all while providing employment to 42 family partners that work in the reserve.

Thanks to this organization, Tirimbina now receives academic groups from foreign and national universities who complete their field placements or research trips and help to further develop the scientific mission of the reserve.

Tirimbina has a great variety of activities for you to enjoy: the Chocolate Tour, a Natural History Walk, self-guided hikes, bird watching, a night hike, a bat program and 25 rooms to enjoy the tranquility of the forest.

In addition, another of its most interesting attractions are its suspension bridges. Currently there are 2 bridges in the reserve, including the longest suspension bridge in the country at 262 meters long and 22 meters high. As you cross the bridge, look out and admire the grandeur of the Sarapiqui River and the rainforest. The smaller bridge is 110 meters long and is located within an area of primary forest at a height of 35 meters. From that bridge you can access one of the least explored parts of the rainforest. Can you resist?

More than a decade of "Open Houses" at Tirimbina

Another reason that makes Tirimbina unique is its social "Open House" program, which has been around for more than 10 years. Once a year, Tirimbina opens its doors to the community for free. During the open house, visitors can enjoy the Chocolate Tour, guided walks and exhibitions at no cost.

According to Don Pedro, the last "Open House", drew approximately 700 visitors from the community. The guides and all the staff on the reserve are at your service to ensure that you receive the best service at the reserve and truly get to know the forest up close.

Tirimbina also works with 8 schools in the area as well as one public school, with the aim of transmitting all their forest research knowledge and good conservation practices to students. Children can visit them up to 3 times a year to receive hands-on science classes. After hearing the wonderful story of the reserve, and since it was getting late, we followed the beautiful melody of a marimba into the reserve restaurant and enjoyed the musician’s varied repertoire.
We know you've already added Tirimbina to your bucket list. Don't wait to check it off!

• Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Tour duration: from 1 to 2 hours (may vary)Time from San José to the Tirimbina
• Biological Reserve: 2 hours.
• What to bring?: hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, fresh clothes, closed-toe shoes, a camera, water and an appetite for adventure.
• Prices: * Children under 5 years enter for free. Special rates are available for students. Contact the hotel by email to reservaciones@tirimbina.org
• Find out more information about their rates at: www.tirimbina.org
• Minumum attendance for the tour: 2 people.
• Address: La Virgen, Sarapiquí, Heredia.
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tirimbina/
• Telephone: 4020-2900 / 6139-4587

If a visit San Juanillo is on your bucket list, you've made the right choice, but if it isn't, allow us to change your mind.

We were touring the beautiful province of Guanacaste and we just had to see for ourselves why San Juanillo beach is so spectacular.

Obviously, we went for a delicious smoothie in the Nosara quarter and visited other beaches but here we will focus on San Juanillo.

We ate lunch at a restaurant that is about 600m from the beach. It was so delicious that we were licking our fingers! It was almost 4 o'clock in the afternoon, so we decided to find "front row seats" for the much-acclaimed sunset.

We saw several families enjoying the beach, as the gentle waves are perfect for children who like to play on the shore.

White sand and turquoise water

At the beach we found fishing boats that offer tours to see turtles, dolphins, whales and even manta rays.

Visiting San Juanillo is like stepping into a painting: white sand, turquoise water, gentle waves and a sunset that is worth watching until the last of the sun's rays dip below the horizon.

It is super accessible, we were able to reach the beach by car and there are bathrooms and camping on site. For those with a sweet tooth, there is a stand selling shaved ice to help you to beat the heat.

One of the most popular attractions at San Juanillo is the sand path and the rock formations that divide it into two beaches, one sandy and one rocky.

We couldn't resist the urge to climb to the highest point of the rock formation so that we could look out across the entire beach.

A perfect place to relax

Behind the rocks there are nooks and crannies that are ideal to relax alone, with your friends or with your partner. We recommend that if you bring food or something to drink, you should also bring a bag to collect your garbage.

At about 5:40 in the afternoon the sky will begin to turn yellow and the sun will look like a big orange. We were on the rocks until we saw the last ray of light. What a treat!

After sunset there were a few more minutes of light, enough to take another quick swim or just put your feet in the warm sand.

We definitely did not want to leave, but we had to find dinner.

There are many food options near the beach. You will find great ceviche, delicious smoothies, organic dishes, pasta and plenty of pizza places.

Is your mouth watering yet? Well, you already know what to do...

Don't miss a thing

• Sand: white
• Access: the road to the beach is unpaved, so it is better to drive slowly and carefully.
• Vehicle: preferably AWD.
• Surf: soft.
• Camping: yes.
• Washrooms: yes.
• Snorkeling: yes.
• Restaurants: within 600 m.
• Pets: yes
• Nearby beaches: Ostional, Nosara, Guiones, and Garza.

How to get there?

Drive to Puntarenas and then take the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal, continue past the Friendship Bridge (Puente de La Amistad), continue to Nicoya and take the turn-off to Sámara and Nosara.

By bus? You can take a bus from San José to Nosara and take a taxi to San Juanillo, or San José to Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz to Ostional.

By plane: You can also take a domestic flight from Juan Santamaría to Nosara.

Guiones to San Juanillo: 20 km, approximately 45 minutes by car.

Ostional to San Juanillo: 8 km, approximately 20 minutes by car.

What to bring? Swimwear, sunscreen, dark sunglasses, sandals or sneakers, a towel, food if you plan to stay on the beach for a while, water, a hat or cap, a blanket to lie on the sand, a camera and an appetite for adventure.