Print this trip dossier

Journey Latin America asks you to accept cookies for performance and social media purposes. We use cookies on our website to personalise content, evaluate website traffic and enhance performance. You can delete or restrict cookies via your web browser. To get more information about these cookies and the processing of your personal data see our Cookie Policy. Do you accept these cookies and the processing of personal data involved? Find out more

Costa Rica: Pacific coast

The Pacific coast, unlike the sheltered volcanic beaches of the Caribbean, is lashed by foaming Pacific waves, much beloved by surfers. The wide golden beaches are extremely beautiful, made more so by the shade of the tropical vegetation and coconut groves which tumble down to and fringe them.

Halfway down the coast is Manuel Antonio National Park, a tropical fairy-land of palms, creepers and mangrove swamps, where monkeys scamper down to the sweep of ochre beach at sunset. Hotels and other properties punctuate the hills beyond and sit along the shoreline that leads to the protected national park. There’s also a growing resort complex at Herradura.

View all holidays

Expedition cruise: Panama, the Canal and Costa Rica

Private journey

15 days from £6,873pp

Luxury Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Private journey

13 days from £5,154pp

Expedition cruise: Panama, the Canal and Costa Rica

Private journey

16 days from £7,844pp

Off the beaten track Costa Rica: National parks and private reserves

Private journey

13 days from £2,467pp

View all things to do nearby

Take a surfing lesson

Zip line in the Costa Rican jungle

Kayak through Pacific mangroves

Visit the national parks and private reserves on the Pacific coast

Our insider tips for Pacific coast

Rafe Stone

Exploring the trails in the Manuel Antonio National Park. The protected tropical forest has a huge range of wildlife: you’ve a good chance of spotting monkeys, sloths, armadillos, iguanas and racoons plus exotic birds – toucans, macaws, hummingbirds….

Sophie Barber

Viewing the tropical landscapes from the back of a horse, on a gentle trek through the private ecological reserve at Tocori, near Manuel Antonio.

Hannah Donaldson

Going offshore sport fishing from the port of Quepos: in the dry season you can land marlin, dorado, amberjack and yellowfish tuna.

What our experts say

The beach at Manuel Antonio, on the edge of the eponymous jungley national park, is one of the most visually stunning Pacific beaches. Not surprisingly there are now plenty of hotels and other facilities, although it remains largely unspoiled. Of course it wasn't always like this: on my first visit in 1981 only a few adventurous backpackers made it there (you could fly in on a battered DC3 for $4.00); it had one bar which offered lethal vodka and orange cocktails, and a fan of sands which at sunset attracted families of monkeys to play. You could by a plot of beachfront land for $US500. I met a Canadian hippy who did just that. Far-sighted or what...

Claire Milner

Product and Marketing

What our clients say

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Pacific coast | Rating: Excellent

We had a most enthusiastic and knowledgeable young guide at Manual Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. He was from our hotel, Arenas del Mar, and was very good. Manuel Antonio may be a small park and it may be over-popular, but it is crammed full of interesting plants and wildlife.

JM, Barnes | December 2012 | 65 and over | With Partner

Tailor-made holiday

Speak to an expert Travel Consultant or send us your enquiry today.

Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for over 37 years.
We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.

Design my trip

03098589426

97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.

Articles you may like

Browse our inspiration area of the site. It's packed with insider travel tips, Top5s, competitions, events, recipes and holiday ideas for Central and South America sure to whet your travel appetite.

Why you should go on a self-drive hol...

Spotlight on the National Parks of La...

Q&A: Rafe Stone in Costa Rica

Q&A: Anthony Vaquero in Costa Rica

More inspiration

Journey with the UK's NO1 specialist in travel to latin america

Meet Our Specialist

Hannah Waterhouse, Travel Consultants

Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

We love latin america

A passion for the region runs through all we do

All our Consultants have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America

Up-to-the-minute knowledge underpinned by 40 years' experience

travel with confidence

Fully bonded and licensed

ATOL-protected

On your side when it matters

Book with confidence, knowing every penny is secure

The real latin america

Our insider knowledge helps you go beyond the guidebooks

We hand-pick hotels with character and the most rewarding excursions

Let us show you the Latin America we know and love

Feefo - Gold Trusted Service 2018

Food and Travel Magazine Readers' Awards - Tour Operator of The Year 2016

Selling Travel Agents Choice Awards - Best Tour Operator to Latin America 2016

Sunday Times Travel Magazine - Editor's Award 2013

Guardian and Observer Travel Awards - Top Ten Small Tour Operator: 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Value Tour Operator 2011

Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards - Top Ten Specialist Tour Operator 2016

Wanderlust Readers' Travel Awards - Top Ten Tour Operator 2015

British Travel Awards - Best Small Tour Operator to Central and South America 2012

Latin American Travel Association - Award for Customer Service 2012

Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards - Best Specialist Tour Operator 2011

Share this Page

Social share page will open in new window

Send a friend

First name*

Last name*

Email address*

Friend's first name*

Friend's last name*

Friend's email address*

Your message

Would you like to receive our insider tips, offers and holiday advice by monthly emails? You can unsubscribe at any time and we do not pass on your details to third parties.

Costa Rica: Pacific coast

Visit Us