Playa Mango (Río Grande de Paquera)
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
A small, calm gulf beach north of Paquera with smooth dark sand, hardly any waves and a pretty view across the bay - reviewers call it a slice of heaven and great for kids.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- high tide
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 6 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.87132, -84.92367 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.6 on Google (132)
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- Gravel — a regular car is fine
- Swimming
- Yes
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Bring
- water shoes
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Best at high tide, when the water covers the flats and is calm enough for little ones.
Be careful
Few rocks, but bring water shoes; no lifeguards.
Getting there
Turn off the main road north of Paquera at the sign; the last stretch is gravel but in fair shape.
Places nearby
- Bahía Rica (bioluminescent kayak tours & fishing lodge)Tours & AdventureA small wooden kayak-and-fishing lodge on the bluff 1.5 km east of the Paquera ferry landing, best known for its night kayak tour on Paquera's bio-bay, where every paddle stroke lights up blue-green plankton and you can even jump in and swim through the glow.
- Soda La EsmeraldaSodas & Local FoodA roadside soda on the Paquera-Tambor road with a solid Google rating from over 250 reviews - a handy refuel stop for traditional Costa Rican food.
- Tortuga Island Tour (Isla Tortuga Tour Costa Rica)Tours & Adventure · from $70High-volume Isla Tortuga operator: snorkeling, a beach day and lunch on the island, with departures from Tambor and Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Puntarenas.
- Parque Marino del PacíficoParks & WildlifeAquarium park in Puntarenas' old railway station, about three hectares of tanks with sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, crocodiles and large sharks, plus a small pool and play area for children - an easy family stop at the east end of the seafront.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/460413574 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/460413574 · https://www.google.com/maps/search/Playa+Mango+Paquera