Playa Bajamar & the sea caves of Punta del Pacífico
Beach · Jacó & Herradura · hidden gem
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A long dark-sand beach north of Peñón de Guacalillo, backed by lagoons and a tiny fishing village. A beach road runs to Punta del Pacífico at its north end: low cliffs of multicolored volcanic rock with small sea caves you can poke into at low tide, and a view across the Jesús María river mouth to the taller Peñón on the Tivives side with a big cave below it.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- low tide; sunset
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 4 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 9.84711, -84.68447 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- 4×4 needed
- Swimming
- No swimming
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Bring
- hat with a strap, water, sunscreen, hiking sandals
- Fewer people
- low tide is the only window for the caves — check a tide table
- Season
- dry season: high-clearance car is enough; rainy season (May–Nov): 4x4, deep puddles possible
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Go at low tide — the caves are only reachable then. Pair it with sunset at Peñón de Guacalillo, and eat typical food at a local soda with tables on the sand on Playa Bajamar.
Be careful
Waves rush into the caves on a rising tide — keep an eye on the sea. Crocodiles live in the lagoons behind the beach. Trash carried down the Tárcoles River washes up on these beaches after heavy rain, and water near the Jesús María mouth is not recommended for swimming. No shade.
Getting there
From Route 34 turn toward the sea at Lagunillas (Super y Licorera El Sol Naciente); paved to Escuela Cuarros, then good gravel. At the junction by the beach head north on the beach road along Playa Bajamar. Toward Punta del Pacífico the track narrows to one car with deep ruts — high clearance in the dry season, 4x4 from May to November; big puddles can block it in the wettest months.
Places nearby
- Hotel Cerro LodgeParks & Wildlife · from $10A small lodge built for birders and photographers, a few minutes from the Tarcoles River and Carara National Park, with sea and mountain views.
- Jose's Crocodile River TourParks & WildlifeBoat tours on the Tárcoles River to see big American crocodiles up close, plus scarlet macaws, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and mangrove channels.
- Soda El GuácimoSodas & Local FoodOpen-air roadside soda on the Costanera north of Tárcoles with big portions, quick service and clean tables.
- Jungle Crocodile SafariParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h · from $40A relaxed boat ride on the Tarcoles River, home to one of Costa Rica's largest crocodile populations, out through the mangroves to the river mouth.
- Crocodile Man TourParks & Wildlife · takes 2 h · from $39.55A long-established boat tour on the Tarcoles River, where big American crocodiles bask on the banks a short drive from Jacó.
- El Jardín Orotina (buffet & souvenir stop)Food & CoffeeBig roadside stop near Orotina with a self-service Costa Rican breakfast and lunch buffet, a large souvenir hall, an ice-cream counter and live marimba music.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/896259856 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/896259856 · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/penon-de-guacalillo/ · https://visitcostarica.com/blog/six-destinations-near-san-jose · https://ticotimes.net/2026/08/16/costa-rica-guacalillo-beach-trash-tarcoles-river