Playa Manzanillo: A Visitors’ Guide

Manzanillo is a Rural Town with a Beautiful Beach

Playa Manzanillo is a small fishing village off the coast of Puntarenas, just 10 minutes north of Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa. The rural authenticity of this small town seems to be its biggest draw, sabaneros take part in ranching and farming, and horseback riding is still a means of transportation. The beach is beautiful and offers a myriad of entertainment, and although the offer of restaurants is small, the quality of it is outstanding! Playa Manzanillo is a great tourist destination to get a taste of rural Costa Rica, so be sure to add it to your bucket list if it’s not there yet, or include it on your next vacation trip.

How to Get to Manzanillo, Santa Teresa

There are several ways to get to Manzanillo. One of the easiest ways to get there is by flying.  Get to the local airport in Tambor, and rent a car to drive from there, it will take you about an hour to get to your destination. If you are getting there from the capital, then you have two options: you can take the ferry or drive. If you decide to drive, it should be a 5 to 6-hour drive, so pack everything you need for the road trip; including a great camera to capture the beautiful scenery. You can also drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry, a shortcut that should take off 2 hours of driving time.

If you head north past Santa Teresa you will eventually get to Playa Hermosa. From Playa Hermosa we recommend the scenic beach road that winds past the most beautiful coves, beaches, and swimming spots. This little stretch of paradise is a protected forest and will always remain this pristine. This road is great for walking, bike riding and exploring. There is also a mountain road that reached Manzanillo from Hermosa that goes through the Santiago hills and has scenic vistas of the Valley of Santiago, to take this route you need to turn right after the Hermosa Valley School and then turn left at the T in the road, you will eventually come down into the main road of the Manzanillo Bay. 

What to do in Playa Manzanillo

The stretch of sandy beach offers plenty of aquatic activities that will surely entertain all tastes and budgets. Some of them include fun snorkeling sessions to get to know the marine life hidden in the nearby rocky formations. Swimming is also possible as the water is calm and warm, and it is at its best during high tide. Moreover, going horseback riding will take you a step back in time as you probe the outskirts of the Caletas Ario Reserve. It is also said that you can take a 4-hour walk to get to a secret virgin beach called Playa Coyote.  Manzanillo is also a great place to connect with nature and just lay down on the sand and enjoy the shade from the swaying palm trees. It is sure you’ll find only a handful of visitors in this pristine destination, as it is somewhat of a hidden gem, with other nearby destinations such as Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa being more frequented by tourists. Another fun thing to do in Manzanillo with the kids during the green season is to bring boogie boards and ride the Manzanillo river down the beach to the shoreline, the river is just past where the road ends north of Atardecer Dorado restaurant. 

Where to Eat

If you want to enjoy the jaw-dropping sunsets of the Pacific Coast,  Atardecer Dorado offers a taste of the best typical Costa Rican food and national beers, head here if you want to have some lunch.  Dayka is the perfect place to go after spending a long day at the beach swimming, snorkeling, or fishing, and have dinner accompanied by some cold drinks and cocktails. If you feel like having a real slice of sabanero life on the Nicoya Peninsula, check out the La Perla India bar in the Ario area, most horse tours stop here for a quick cold beer and a taste of the authentic vibes! 

Of course, don’t forget to take your sun hat, sunscreen, beach towel, and sunglasses. Now, you are definitely ready to get to know Manzanillo!