Playa Caletas (Caletas-Arío refuge)
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula · hidden gem
A remote beach on the open Pacific between Manzanillo and Coyote, protected as part of the Caletas-Arío national wildlife refuge - a place for a long, quiet walk rather than a swim.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 3 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 9.75584, -85.26436 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.1 on Google (49)
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Swimming
- No swimming
- Bring
- water, food, shade
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Carry water and food - there are no services - and respect any marked nesting areas.
Be careful
Open-ocean surf and currents - not a swimming beach.
Getting there
Via the road to Finca Coyote, off the coastal route north of Manzanillo.
Places nearby
- Tanga Restaurant & Camping (Punta Coyote)Food & CoffeeBeach restaurant and campground in the palm grove at the south end of Playa Coyote, near Punta Coyote, where the rocky headland keeps the water calm; it rents surfboards for the reef breaks about 20 minutes' walk around the point.
- Couleur CaféFood & CoffeeFrench-inspired café with colourful décor and tables under a big shady tree at the first entrance to Playa Hermosa - a surfer's breakfast or a lazy lunch, with vegetarian options.
- Soda RocamarSodas & Local FoodBeach soda built around locally caught fish, with fish tacos, guacamole and sandwiches served a few steps from the sand.
- Nantipa – A Tico Beach ExperienceStaysBarefoot-luxury boutique hotel on the beach in Santa Teresa.
- Natura SurfLifeSurf, Boats & DivingSanta Teresa surf school with more than 20 years of experience, also renting ATVs and booking waterfall and Isla Tortuga tours.
- Soda TiquiciaSodas & Local FoodCasual local soda in Santa Teresa known for generous plates of Costa Rican comfort food, especially fish casado, fried red snapper and mixed ceviche, at fair prices.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/1143701147 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1143701147 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/10323875