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PrintGulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica
On the Nicoya Peninsula the only reliable road connection between the provinces Guanacaste and Puntarenas is on the 26 km of bumpy gravel road from Playa Naranjo to Paquera.
Other tracks interconnecting the northern with the southern province are only seasonally or not at all driveable with a car.
See » Driving from Manzanillo to Playa Coyote.
No direct bus connects the popular tourist destinations of Samara, Nosara or Tamarindo in the north with the beaches in the south, Montezuma, Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. There is even a gap in the public transportation system as no bus at all serves the 17 km stretch of jungle road between Rio Grande and Naranjo.
Most travelers in a car breeze straight through on this bone-chilling track up hill and down dale although the area is an eldorado for eco-tourism. There are hotels specializing in water sports like diving, snorkeling, and fishing. An outstanding adventure is a kayak tour in the Gulf of Nicoya where you can explore hidden coves and islands with lonesome beaches.
Few people live in this region and the lush jungle touching the sea and covering the islands gives a wild beauty to rocky cliffs, promontories and bays.
Driving from Playa Naranjo to Paquera:
Jungle shrouded in mist near Paquera
Playa Naranjo isn't much more than the ferry slip and an abandoned gas station, but you will find some nice hotels and a sandy beach shaded by stocky trees. Close to
Naranjo are also some nature attractions as the Karen Mogenson Reserve.
On the way to Paquera there is a road to your left, 3 km after Naranjo, that leads to Playa Blanca. The small beach sits in a beautiful cove with white coral sand and
turquoise waters where you can snorkel and swim, with views to the former prison island, Isla San Lucas.
Playa Blanca
Driving on to Paquera the road comes close to the shore at Bahia Gigante. You might have a break for bathing in the crescent, sandy bay and have a snack in the funky beach bar. 400 m offshore lies Isla Gitana, which in pre-columbian times had been a cemetery island.
Bahia Gigante
Isla Gitana protects the Bahia Gigante and adjacent Bahia Luminosa, making them a safe and picturesque anchor place for sail boats.
Continuing for another 5 km you pass through Rio Grande. From here you can make a tour on horseback or with a quad into the hills to the "El Salto" waterfall
with its swimming hole.
Also close to Rio Grande is the small, scenic cove of Playa Pájaro where you can swim and relax under huge old trees.
Playa Organos near the ferry in Paquera
From Rio Grande it's a 7 km drive on a bolder strewn road until the small town of Paquera, which is locally known for producing many vegetables and fruits. In Paquera you find two supermarkets, an ATM cashier, a gas station, and several affordable hotels and cabinas, some with Wifi and AC. There isn't much to do in the small village but Paquera it's a good option if you want to visit the Curu Wildlife Reserve which is only 5 km away. Besides hiking, you can also make a tour to the Tortuga Islands from Curu, go scuba diving or snorkeling.
Four km out of Paquera is the terminal for the ferries to Puntarenas. On the way to the ferry terminal a road to the right goes to Playa Organos, a placid wide bay with a picture-perfect sandy beach, surrounded by jungle. The bay is safe for swimming and you have views to the Tortuga Islands. Don't forget a repellent, as sometimes there are many bugs on Playa Organos.
