Reto MAE coastal trail (Quepos → Manuel Antonio hidden coves)
Trail · Central Pacific · hidden gem
A rugged, unofficial coastal trail from Quepos to Manuel Antonio over the forested headlands, dropping to a string of small turquoise coves — Playa La Macha, Carlos López, Tulemar, Karolas — before coming out at Playa Biesanz. It follows the route of the Reto MAE trail race; to Playa Espadilla it's about 10 km, roughly 2.5 h with photo stops.
not passable in the rainy season or right after rain (komoot tip, Nov 2025)
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- early morning, dry season
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 7 / 10
- Effort
- 8 / 10
- Location
- 9.42094, -84.16558 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- Paved all the way
- Walk
- 150 min
- Kids
- Not for small kids
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Bring
- trail shoes, lots of water, snacks, swimsuit under clothes, sunscreen, cap
- Season
- dry season (Dec–Apr) only
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Start around 6 am from Marina Pez Vela (you can leave the car there), walk through the old 'Zona Americana' and keep right at every junction to stay along the coast. Bring snacks, lots of water and a swimsuit; take a taxi or the bus back from Espadilla.
Be careful
Steep, muddy climbs and descents — hikers report it is not passable in the rainy season or right after rain. Some coves front private land: be respectful and carry your trash out. Very hot by midday.
Getting there
Starts in Quepos: from Marina Pez Vela go into the old United Fruit 'Zona Americana' (houses now used by the coast guard), keep right, and look for the path that enters the forest by a power pole; OSM maps the climb as 'El reto mae' down to Playa La Macha.
Places nearby
- Brisa Elegante (wooden sailing ship)Surf, Boats & DivingDay cruises aboard a classic wooden sailboat from Marina Pez Vela, with swimming, paddleboards and kayaks, and food on board.
- Sunset Sails ToursSurf, Boats & DivingCatamaran trips from Marina Pez Vela along the Manuel Antonio coast with snorkeling, swim stops, a meal and open bar; the sunset sail passes the cliffs at dusk.
- Catamaran Manuel AntonioSurf, Boats & DivingMorning and sunset catamaran cruises from Marina Pez Vela, with lunch or dinner, open drinks, a water slide and snorkeling gear on a four-hour trip along the Manuel Antonio coast.
- El RanchitoFood & CoffeeRestaurant in El Cerro, on the road from Quepos up to Manuel Antonio, known for fresh catch of the day, friendly service and macaws that drop by.
- Soda SánchezSodas & Local FoodPopular Quepos soda for Tico breakfasts, seafood soup and fish tacos at fair prices, with fresh juices (ask for less sugar).
- Soda Come Bien (Quepos market)Sodas & Local FoodNo-frills soda in the corner of the Quepos municipal market: daily casados with rice, beans, salad and plantain at some of the lowest prices on the coast.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/15879731 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/15879731 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/398272445 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/caminata-manuel-antonio · https://www.komoot.com/highlight/8123037