Playa Espadilla Norte is a beach on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is close to Manuel Antonio National Park. The beach is a popular destination for swimmers and sunbathers, and also offers various activities such as surfing and stand-up paddling.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
San Jose - Santa Teresa - Manuel Antonio - Puerto Viejo
Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for a long time and in November 2021 I finally had the opportunity to visit this beautiful country. I went to Costa Rica with a friend for a total of 2 weeks.
Although we didn't have much time, we wanted to make the most of our vacation. So we chose the route from San Jose to Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo. Our goal was to see as much as possible and spend most of our time at the beach.
In this blog I take you on our adventures in Costa Rica and share our experiences and recommendations for each destination. Let's start with our first stop in San Jose:
Saint Joseph
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and is an excellent base for touring the country. The city is centrally located and offers good connections to other parts of the country. But that's not all San Jose has to offer. The city is also rich in culture and history and offers a variety of activities and places to visit.
Personally, we used San Jose as the base for our trip through Costa Rica for the first night.
Getting there:
From the airport you can use the black&white Tuasa buses, Uber or taxi to get to the city centre.
Accommodation San Jose
Selina Hostel:
Location: safe area, about 10-15 mins walk to the center
Costs: around €70 per night
Value for money: good
Pros: friendly and helpful staff, safe area, great ambiance
Cons: nothing
Info! In some parts of San Jose you should be careful and avoid them, so be careful where the accommodation you book is located.
Tip:
Buy a prepaid SIM card in San Jose at the airport or downtown.
Seller: Claro
Airport Hours: 6am - 9pm/-11pm (weekends)
Wo am Airport:
left of baggage claim 5
Dining in San Jose
Serviceliste
-
Central MarketListenelement 1The biggest market in town. There you can taste the local food well and cheaply. A plate with baked banana, avocado, beans, rice... I recommend strolling through the market, because it has a lot to offer, spices, fruit/vegetables, souvenirs, textiles, food,... stands. Hours of Operation: Mon - Sat 6am - 6pm
-
Lolita's GardenListenelement 2If you don't like the food on the market, I recommend this street food market. El Jardin de Lolita looks more modern and reminds me of the street food market in Dublin. There cocktails, beer, sangria etc. and delicious food are offered. Opening hours: Mon - Sun 12pm - 10pm
Santa Teresa/Mal Pais
Santa Teresa is a small coastal town in southwest Costa Rica on the Nicoya Peninsula. The place is known for its beautiful beaches, excellent surfing conditions and relaxed atmosphere. The surroundings of Santa Teresa also offer numerous opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and diving. The place has become a popular destination for surfers, backpackers and nature lovers and offers a variety of accommodation, restaurants and bars.
Getting from San Jose to Santa Teresa
Getting there:
We took the bus from San José to a suburb of Santa Teresa (actually the bus should go directly to Santa Teresa).
On the journey there, we crossed the sea by bus on a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera.
Arrived in the suburb of Santa Teresa, we shared a ride with two other travelers to our accommodations in Santa Teresa. (There were no real taxis there, but locals offered to take taxis in such cases).
Otherwise we would have had to wait 2 hours for the next bus there.
Duration of arrival: approx. 5-6 hours
Cost: 15-25$
Tip:
It is best to find out at the bus terminal the day before when it leaves for Santa Teresa and possibly buy the ticket.
Strand in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa Beach
Playa Santa Teresa is a stunning beach stretching several kilometers and is known for its perfect surfing conditions that attract surfers from all over the world. The waves are consistent and there are plenty of options for both experienced surfers and beginners.
The area surrounding Santa Teresa is also known for its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The beach is surrounded by palm trees and tropical vegetation and offers spectacular sunsets.
There are a few beach vendors on the beach selling fresh coconuts and delicious RawCakes.
Unfortunately, during our stay at Playa Santa Teresa there was an accumulation of wood and some plastic debris that washed up on the beach.
Essen in Santa Teresa
Earth Cafe
Opening hours:
Mo. So 8 am - 5 pm
Was:
Smoothie bowls, juices, ..
Organic Market
If:
In. 3 pm
Where:
am Banana Beach
Was:
RawCakes, fruit, vegetables, pastries, homemade jewelry etc..
self made
Otherwise we cooked every day, rice with beans, guacamole, baked bananas and bread and fresh fruit for dessert.
Activities in Santa Teresa
- surfing yoga e.g. at Olam Pure Food (between 9am - 6pm, 12$ 1.5h)Cabo National Park (difficult to get there without a car/taxi)Montezuma (hippie village - 1.5h away)
More photos of Santa Teresa
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a small town on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is best known for the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park, which offers incredible biodiversity and is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. There are many beaches and activities in the area such as surfing, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Arrival to Manuel Antonio
Getting there:
Early in the morning we took a bus back to the ferry in Paquera.
We took the ferry back to Puntarenas and from there took a taxi to our local bus station where our bus went to Quepos.
Arriving in Quepos, we took a bus to Manuel Antonio, which runs about every 30 minutes. departed and with which we arrived at our accommodation Manuel Antonio in only about 10 minutes.
Duration of arrival: approx. 6-8 hours
Cost: approx. 20-30$
Accommodation in Manuel Antonio
Essen in Manuel Antonio
Teva Jungle Hotel
- at breakfast surrounded by monkeysMoroccan-Latin fusion cuisine
Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. 7am-10pm
What: Breakfast, Sa&So. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Espadilla North Beach/sunset
Activities in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a well-known national park on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is characterized by its incredible biodiversity and picturesque beaches. The park is a popular destination for tourists looking to experience Costa Rica's nature and wildlife. There are various hiking trails through the park that lead to lookout points and beaches. The park is also known for its monkeys, iguanas and numerous species of birds. Overall, Manuel Antonio National Park is a unique place and a must-see for anyone visiting Costa Rica.
Opening hours:
7am - 6pm every day (except Tuesday)
Entry:
18$ adult6$ child (2-11 years)Tickets:
online on their website (for this you also had to select the time for the visit) Info: I recommend taking your bathing suit with you, as there are great beaches in the national park where you can cool off in between. There are plenty of toilets, changing rooms and showers (if I am remember correctly) available. It is forbidden to take food and other things with you and bags are checked at the entrance. The monkeys in the national park are quick and have snatched snacks, clothes etc. from some tourists, so keep your eyes open. It is best to plan a day for the national park to be able to relax and swim on the beaches.
Manuel Antonio National Park Beach
More photos
old Port
Located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a well-known seaside resort. The relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful beaches and the proximity to the Cahuita National Park are particularly appreciated. The region is also characterized by its cultural diversity, which is characterized by African, Indian and European influences. The place is a popular destination for surfers, nature lovers and beach goers.
Arrival to Puerto Viejo
How to get there: Unfortunately, you often have to drive back to your starting point in San Jose on your onward journey to get to your next destination, as there are no direct connections between some places (which is often a detour due to the distance).
Early in the morning we took a bus to Quepos and from there we took the next coach to San Jose. Arrived in San Jose, we had to change terminals by taxi, as our bus provider, which went to Puerto Viejo, departed from a different terminal ("San Jose MEPE").
From there we took a bus to Puerto Viejo which takes about 4-5 hours. came to the goal.
Watch after:
Depending on the area you want to visit and the bus provider, there are different bus terminals in San Jose.
Duration of arrival:
ca. 8-10 Std.
Cost:
that. $15-20
Info:
Puerto Viejo has a Jamaican flavor from the immigrants.
Accommodation in Puerto Viejo
Accommodation- Cabines Yucca
Location: central but not in the middle of the hustle and bustle
Value for money: good
Positive: right on the beach, location
Negative: noisy
Essen in Puerto Viejo
I got my breakfast here every day. Delicious smoothie bowls, smoothies, fruit salad, drinking coconut,…
It's best to take a leisurely stroll through the town and you'll find some of these little shops.
Beaches in Puerto Viejo
Punta Uva Beach
Playa Punta Uva in Puerto Viejo is a stunning beach on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is known for its white sand, clear turquoise water and surrounding tropical greenery. The beach offers many activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and beach walks. Swings are suspended from some palm trees. These are not only a beautiful photo motif, but also ideal for relaxing.
Directions:
•Tuk Tuk
•Taxi
•Fahrrad
•Auto
We took a tuk tuk as we were at the Jaguar Rescue Center beforehand.
Other beaches:
- La Feria Legendaria de Playa ChiquitaPlaya Puerto ViejoPlaya Cocles...
Nightlife in Puerto Viejo
Since we were only in Puerto Viejo for 3 days due to time constraints, we only went out once.
So we can only recommend two bars, with "Hot Rocks" being our favourite.
- Jonny‘s Place
A bar right by the sea offering music, mexican food and cocktails etc.
Opening hours:
So. - Mo 11am - 00:30am
From. 11pm - 00:30am
Mit. - Sa. 9am - 2:30am
- Hot Rocks
live music, drinks and food
Opening hours:
Mit. - Mo. 11am - 12am
At. 4pm - 12am
Jonny‘s Place
Hot Rocks
Activities in Puerto Viejo
Jaguar Rescue Center
The Jaguar Rescue Center is an animal sanctuary offering tours in English, Spanish, French and Dutch. There is a variety of animals to see such as monkeys, wild cats, snakes, toucans, sloths and more. The stories behind each animal are both interesting and sad. If you want something to eat or drink before the tour starts, there is a café with a nice terrace.
Access: Bike, Tuk Tuk, Taxi/Car Tours: 9:30am, 11:30am Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours Admission: $24
Further activities:
- surfinghikingyoga courses..
We also spent an unforgettable time in Thailand. Feel free to check out our travel blog Thailand to learn more about it.
