Isla Herradura (paddle or boat from Playa Herradura)

Before you go

Tickets

Better to book ahead

Swimming

Only when the water is calm

Bring

sunscreen for the whole body, cap, swimsuit, dry clothes

Checked

2026-10

Tip

Paddle out early while the bay is glassy. On Playa Herradura you can rent a board or join a guided SUP trip, and beach boat operators run rides to the neighboring coves.

Be careful

Beyond the bay it is open sea: go with a guide, wear a life vest and full sun protection. The afternoon breeze makes the paddle back much harder.

Getting there

Start from Playa Herradura: Route 27 to the coast, then Route 34 toward Jacó and follow the signs to Herradura; park on the beach road. The island is reachable only by water.

Places nearby

• Costa Cat CruisesSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 2 h–8 h · from $120A full day on a big, stable catamaran from Los Sueños Marina to Tortuga Island's white-sand beach, with snorkelling, a banana boat ride, a short jungle hike and a barbecue lunch with rum punch.
• Los Sueños Marina VillageFood & Coffee · takes 1 h–2 hThe restaurant row of Los Sueños marina at Playa Herradura, a sport-fishing harbour ringed by forested hills.
• Maverick SportfishingSurf, Boats & DivingA large sportfishing fleet based at Los Sueños Marina in Herradura, running fully crewed offshore charters for sailfish, marlin, tuna and dorado.
• Coco's Beach Front (Restaurante Coco's Herradura)Food & CoffeeBeachfront seafood restaurant on Playa Herradura with a terrace under string lights, craft cocktails and live music some days.
• Manglar Bar and RestaurantFood & CoffeeCasual bar-restaurant at the quiet north end of Jacó beach, 50 m from Hotel Croc's, loved for ceviche, nachos and burgers made with locally raised beef.
• Croc's Resort & CasinoDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 9 h · from $35A big beachfront resort at the north end of Jaco beach built around a lagoon-style pool of waterfalls and channels that opens onto the sand.