pura vida passENES

Playa Biesanz

Swimming spot · Central Pacific

Playa Biesanz, swimming spot in Central Pacific (photo 1 of 5)
Photo: Ellyne Geurts (ellyne) · CC0 1.0
Playa Biesanz, swimming spot in Central Pacific (photo 2 of 5)
Photo: Ellyne Geurts (ellyne) · CC0 1.0
Playa Biesanz, swimming spot in Central Pacific (photo 3 of 5)
Photo: Ellyne Geurts (ellyne) · CC0 1.0
Playa Biesanz, swimming spot in Central Pacific (photo 4 of 5)
Photo: Ellyne Geurts (ellyne) · CC0 1.0
Playa Biesanz, swimming spot in Central Pacific (photo 5 of 5)
Photo: Becky Matsubara · CC BY 2.0

Playa Biesanz is a small, sheltered cove on Punta Quepos, between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, reached by a steep 300-meter jungle path off Calle Parador. The water is usually calm and clear turquoise, which makes it one of the easiest swims in the area, and the rocks on the left (south) side are the go-to snorkel spot at mid to low tide. Sloths, capuchins and howler monkeys are often seen in the trees on the way down. Local vendors rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel sets and chairs with umbrellas and sell coconuts and drinks, so bring cash. It's free and outside the national park, so no ticket is needed. Plan on 2–3 hours. The honest downside: it's no longer a secret. On dry-season weekends the narrow beach fills up, there's little sand at high tide, the entry is stony, and the cliffs put the cove in shade by mid-afternoon.

Cost
Free
Time there
2.5 h
Best time
morning
Kids
7 / 10
View
8 / 10
Crowds
5 / 10
Swimming
9 / 10
Effort
3 / 10
Location
9.40087, -84.16772 — Google Maps
Ratings
4.5 on Expedia (132)
How long
2–3 hours, plus about 10 minutes each way on the trail.

Before you go

Entry
Free · free public beach; the car watcher's tip and rentals are extra
Payment
Cash only
Tickets
Free entry, no ticket
Parking
Guarded (tip the attendant) — No lot: roadside on Calle Parador just before the Parador resort gate, limited spaces that fill early in high season. An informal attendant usually watches cars for a few dollars (colones or USD); don't leave valuables.
Road
Paved all the way
Walk
10 min
Swimming
Yes
Facilities
food, shade
Kids
Good for kids
Bring
water shoes, sturdy sandals for the trail, cash, own snorkel mask, water, insect repellent for late afternoon
Fewer people
Before 10 am and on weekdays it's calmest. Dry-season weekends and holidays get busy, and at high tide there's little sand to share.
Season
Dec–Apr: sunniest days and clearest water. May–Nov: fewer people, but runoff after rain clouds the water near shore.
Checked
2026-10

Highlights

  • A sheltered cove with usually calm, clear turquoise water: one of the easiest swims around Manuel Antonio.
  • Snorkel the rocks on the left (south) side at mid to low tide. Wrasses, sergeant majors, butterflyfish and damselfish have all been logged here.
  • A 10-minute jungle walk in, with sloths, capuchins and howler monkeys often in the trees; two-toed sloths hang out in the beach trees too.
  • Kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear and chairs with umbrellas for rent right on the sand.
  • Free and outside the national park: no ticket, no reservation.
  • The rugged Reto Mae coastal trail heads north from here toward Playa Pará and the hidden coves on the way to Quepos.

Tip

Park along the road just before the Parador resort entrance and walk down about 10 minutes. Snorkel the rocky edges at mid to low tide; vendors rent chairs, kayaks and gear, so bring cash.

Be careful

The trail is steep and slippery: wear real shoes, not flip-flops. Watch for sharp rocks and reef just under the surface on the left (south) side. Don't carry open food: monkeys will grab it.

Getting there

Drive (or take the Quepos–Manuel Antonio bus) to the Hotel Parador turn-off and follow Calle Parador about 1.5 km toward the resort. Just before the resort gate, park on the roadside and look for the unsigned gap in the fence on the right: a steep path of about 300 m drops through the forest to the beach, about 10 minutes down, and the climb back up is the harder part.

Tips

  • Get there before 10 a.m. for a parking spot and full sun on the sand; the cove shades over in the afternoon.
  • Wear water shoes: the entry is stony. Sturdy sandals beat flip-flops on the trail.
  • Bring your own mask, since rentals are hit or miss, and head for the rocks on the left at mid to low tide.
  • Rental prices are negotiable; a polite "let me think about it" often brings them down.
  • Keep food zipped up and valuables out of the car: monkeys go after snacks, and the car watcher is no guarantee.
  • No car? Take the Quepos–Manuel Antonio bus to the Hotel Parador turn-off and walk about 1.5 km down Calle Parador to the trailhead.

Good to know

  • There's no lot: you park on the roadside of Calle Parador just before the Parador resort gate. Spots are limited, and an informal attendant usually asks a few dollars to watch your car.
  • The trailhead has no sign. Look for a gap in the fence on the right side of the road; the path is about 300 m, steep, with loose gravel that gets slick after rain.
  • No restrooms or showers. Vendors sell drinks and snacks, and everything on the beach is cash (colones or dollars).
  • It's a small beach: at high tide there's little dry sand left, and the cove falls into shade from mid-afternoon because of the cliffs.
  • The water is usually calm, but waves do pick up some days; ask the renters where it's safe to swim.
  • Snorkel visibility is hit or miss; after rain, runoff clouds the water near shore.

What travelers love

  • Calm, clear turquoise water in a sheltered cove
  • The jungle walk in, with sloths and monkeys along the way
  • It feels quieter than Espadilla and the national park beaches
  • Easy kayak and snorkel rentals right on the beach

What some travelers don't like

  • The stony entry: wading in is uncomfortable without water shoes
  • Crowds at peak times, and little sand left at high tide
  • Rental chairs and umbrellas taking over much of the sand
  • Tight roadside parking and having to pay the car watcher
  • The steep, slippery climb back up, and snorkel visibility that's hit or miss

Questions travelers ask

How long is the walk from the road down to Playa Biesanz?

About 300 m on a steep forest path, roughly 10 minutes down. It's loose and slippery in places, and the climb back up is the harder part, so wear real shoes.

Can I get to Playa Biesanz by bus?

Yes. Take the Quepos–Manuel Antonio bus, get off at the Hotel Parador turn-off and walk about 1.5 km down Calle Parador; the trail starts just before the resort gate.

Is Playa Biesanz inside Manuel Antonio National Park? Do I need a ticket?

No. It's on Punta Quepos, outside the park, and it's a free public beach with no ticket or reservation.

Is the snorkeling at Playa Biesanz worth it?

On calm, clear days it's decent along the rocks on the left (south) side at mid to low tide, with reef fish like wrasses and sergeant majors. Visibility is hit or miss, especially after rain, so keep expectations modest.

Where do I park, and is it safe to leave my car?

Along the roadside just before the Parador resort; spaces are limited. An informal attendant usually watches cars for a few dollars, but don't leave valuables inside.

Does Playa Biesanz get crowded?

It's quieter than Espadilla, but on dry-season weekends and holidays the small beach fills up, especially at high tide. Come early, or on a weekday in the rainy season.

Can I rent kayaks or snorkel gear at the beach?

Usually, yes. Local vendors on the sand rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel sets and chairs with umbrellas, for cash, and prices are negotiable. What's on offer varies, so bring your own mask if you have one.

Is Playa Biesanz a private beach?

No. Nearby hotels such as Shana have their own paths for guests, but the beach is public and the trail from Calle Parador is open to everyone.

Places nearby

  • Terraza by IssimoFood & CoffeeRomantic terrace restaurant at Issimo Suites on the Parador road, with a sunset view over the ocean, live music after 6 pm and carefully plated dishes.
  • Makanda by the SeaStays · takes 7 h · from $45Adults-only hideaway of suites and private-pool villas in the jungle above Manuel Antonio, with a path down to a quiet beach.
  • Emilio's CafeFood & CoffeeHillside cafe at the turn-off to Hotel Parador with a top deck looking over the ocean: big breakfasts, Mediterranean and Indian-leaning plates, fresh fish and famous homemade cakes.
  • Barba RojaFood & CoffeeBar and restaurant on the Manuel Antonio road with a broad view down the coast; macaws often fly past at sunset.
  • El Patio de Café MilagroFood & CoffeeGarden restaurant and bar from the Café Milagro roasters, in the middle of Manuel Antonio: breakfasts with their own coffee, fish tacos and ceviche for lunch, and live music most evenings.
  • Agua AzulFood & CoffeeOpen-air restaurant on the upper floor above Hotel Villas El Parque with a wide Pacific view, known for seafood and for sunsets over the water.

Read more

Sources: OpenStreetMap way/37567881 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/37567881 · https://www.costaricavibes.com/beaches-manuel-antonio/ · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/snorkeling-manual-antonio-jaco/ · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/question/snorkeling-at-playa-biesanz/