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Playa San Josecito

Beach · Osa Peninsula

A long, palm-backed beach at the end of the Drake coastal trail, with calm water and good snorkeling off the rocks. Snorkel tours from Isla del Caño stop here for lunch.

Cost
Free
Time there
3 h
Best time
midday
Kids
5 / 10
View
9 / 10
Crowds
4 / 10
Swimming
8 / 10
Effort
6 / 10
Location
8.6715, -83.7158 — Google Maps

Tip

Hike out in the morning and ride back with a returning tour boat between noon and 2 pm (cash, about $10–20).

Be careful

No services and little shade: pack water, food and sun protection, and check the swell before snorkeling.

Getting there

On foot only via the coastal trail (about 6 km, with the Río Claro ford) or by boat.

Places nearby

  • Soda Los PaniquinesSodas & Local FoodA tiny family soda along the Drake Bay coastal trail, reached by a signed path behind a soccer field and past a few small houses — a good lunch stop for hikers, with a solid casado.
  • Osa Outdoors Adventures (Osa Brus Adventures)Parks & WildlifeFamily-run operator with 20+ years of local guiding: small-group Corcovado trips and off-trail primary-forest hikes from Drake Bay, plus ocean tours and a Coto Brus coffee day.
  • Claudio's Grill (Hotel Jinetes de Osa)Food & CoffeeA beachfront restaurant at Hotel Jinetes de Osa, right by the trailhead to Playa San Josecito, so hikers stop here to refuel: shrimp or chicken curry, pork ribs with passion-fruit sauce, surf and turf and octopus; casados, nachos and burgers at lunch.
  • Costa Rica Adventure DiversSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 6 h · from $105PADI dive center in Drake Bay running daily scuba and snorkeling trips to Caño Island Biological Reserve.
  • El Bucanero Restaurant (and Corcovado Tours)Food & Coffee · from $110Small family restaurant right on the water in Drake Bay: whole fried snapper, stuffed king crab, grilled lobster and home-style casados, with ingredients from the family's own farm and sunset tables over the bay.
  • Aguila de Osa InnStays · takes 5 h–7 h · from $120Small hillside inn above Drake Bay focused on diving, fishing and trips to Corcovado and Caño Island.

Sources: OpenStreetMap way/266170191 · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/playa-san-josecito/ · https://sallysees.com/drake-bay-hiking-trail/ · https://www.aaa.com/tripcanvas/attraction/playa-san-josecito-VA100930 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/266170191