Golden Sands In Bejuco: 18 Jaw-Dropping Places Await You!
Golden Sands in Bejuco awaits you, slow down and relax while the gentle waves kiss the shore with a soothing rhythm.
Playa Bejuco is away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Lush forests and wildlife encircle this beach.
Get ready for this adventurous getaway that offers you stunning sunsets, thrilling surf, and gushing waves.
This article explores everything about Bejuco you would not want to miss! Nearby places, Majestic volcanos, magnificent waterfalls, Pura Vida culture and traditional cuisine.
What Makes Bejuco Most Visited?
Playa Bejuco is unquestionably the primary attraction, it is a surprising treasure that you will appreciate discovering.
It offers a calm break from Costa Rica’s most popular and nicest beaches, as well as beautiful seashores.
Playa Bejuco in Costa Rica, located on the central Pacific coast in Puntarenas Province, offers a calmer atmosphere compared to other beaches.
It’s a unique stop on the highway between Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Costa Rica is a safe destination to travel to, and the crime rate is very low.
You can get along with the Costa Rican natives as they are genuinely polite and friendly! The brown beach spreads for miles, surrounded by shade palm trees.
You can typically wander the beach for hours, the best thing is- it is never crowded.
Walking to the point will reveal rocks with little tidal pools filled with small tropical fish, snails, and crabs.
The best time to plan this getaway is between June– August and September– November.
There are several activities available at Playa Bejuco Beach, including yoga, diving, and horseback riding, but surfing is the most popular since the sea currents create great waves for expert surfers.
12 Thrilling Activities To Do In Bejuco
1. Snorkelling
Bejuco offers an abundance of options for aquatic adventures along with a gorgeous coastline.
Experience the stunning shipwrecks, and graceful sea turtles that coexist with colourful marine life and coral reefs.
Although visibility varies based on location and season, warm waters and amazing interactions with curious marine life are always guaranteed. (There are approximately 7,000 species in Costa Rica!).
2. Cr Beach Barn horse ride
Take a private trail to the beach, ride along the jungle, and small streams meet the seashore.
You can also hire a qualified riding instructor and experience the best horse riding adventure!
Enjoy the art of riding horses and delve into the endless happiness, and calm of picturesque Bejuco beach.
- Ticket: $70
- Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Surfing
Playa Bejuco is 10.2 km away from Esterillos Este, and hardly a 15-minute drive. The east end of the beach has a river mouth that adds to the formation of the Bejuco sandbars. Due to less crowd, It is the best spot to surf due to its remote location. Winter is the ideal season to surf Bejuco because of reliable, clear waves.
- Best time to visit: November
- Ticket: $60
- Duration: 1.5-hour session
5. Arenal Volcano National Park
This national park has hundreds of visitors all around the year. It offers hot springs, wildlife, the majestic Arenal volcano, and unique creatures.
Arenal Lake is famous for its water sports like canyoning, kayak tours, zip lines and boat tours.
- Distance: 4-hour drive
6. El Faro de Puntarenas
This lighthouse, which stands 14 meters tall, has broad red and white stripes painted on it.
It is a popular landmark in Puntarenas and a must-see attraction for the hundreds of visitors who come here each year.
a charming courtyard with benches is constructed around the lighthouse so that you can take in the daily breathtaking sunsets.
It’s a very relaxing place with a very good environment that makes you want to stay there for a long time.
7. The Carara National Park
This park is approximately 20 kilometres away from Playa Bejuco. It’s a great location for those who enjoy wildlife.
Strolling along well-maintained trails, tourists can see a variety of species here, including macaws, crocodiles, and monkeys.
Plan your excursion from Bejuco to the park because it is only a short drive away.
8. Manuel Antonio National Park
This national park is located on the central Pacific coast and offers you an experience of exploring coral reefs, pristine sand beaches, and an untamed rainforest.
It is famous for the wide variety of tropical flora and fauna it has to offer, including hundreds of bird species, protected white-faced capuchin monkeys, and three-toed sloths.
You can also take hiking routes in the park, spread around 680 hectares.
- Distance: 34.6 km away from Bejuco
9. La Cangreja Waterfall
The magnificent La Cangreja Waterfall is located near Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste.
Get ready to view this mesmerising view and jump into the sparkling deep turquoise lake in the morning.
The sunlight illuminates the pool, and the crystal-clear water tempts you to dive in!
Since it’s against the regulations, you can’t cross the pool to reach the other side of the river.
- Distance: 1-hour drive
10. Las Pailas Loop
This is one of the park’s easier circular routes. It is near the green beacons that connect the wet and dry forests.
You will be able to see Rincón de la Vieja’s volcanic formations and activity while you go.
You can witness lava tubes, mud pans, water pans, lagoons, and volcanoes among them.
11. Rio Celeste Waterfall
The Río Celeste River features captivating blue waters that cascade into one of the most amazing waterfalls.
Nestled amidst the lush tropical trees of Tenorio Volcano National Park. You can take a trail to the Río Celeste waterfall by descending 250 steep steps.
The hike does not enable you to swim at the base of the waterfall.
Since it is close enough, you can feel the mist bouncing off the 60-foot (20-meter) waterfall from the small viewing platform that hangs along the rocky cliff.
12. Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park has a deeply rooted history and is located in Guanacaste.
The park contains ten distinct habitats, including evergreen forests, marshlands, deciduous forests, mangrove swamps, and oak forests.
It has over 10,000 different species of insects, 115 different kinds of mammals, and about 250 different species of birds.
Likewise, you can also spot jaguars, white-tailed deer, or turtles.
- Ticket: Nationals and residents: ¢ 1,100, Children: ¢ 500, Foreign non-residents: US$ 15, Children: $5
- Distance: 4 hours drive from Playa Bejuco
How To Get Around Bejuco
The journey to Playa Bejuco is simple and hassle-free. Here are some ways you can make the most out of your getaway.
- Car: Services in and around Playa Bejuco are easily accessible for individuals who would rather rent a car.
- Playa Bejuco is about 118 km or a 2-hour & 15-minute drive south of Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
- The ideal option for reaching the beach is to drive, and you can easily hire a car at the airport.
- The best way to get to the beach is to drive, and you can easily rent a car at the airport.
- Bus/Shuttle: It’s easy for guests to drive or take a bus to this beach town because of the excellent roads.
- Budget travellers and people who do not feel comfortable driving can reach Playa Bejuco via local bus.
- First, get a bus from downtown San Jose to Jaco. The bus runs approximately every 2 hours, with a price between $5 and $10 for the 2-hour trip.
- You may take a taxi or a local bus from Jaco to Playa Bejuco, 45 minutes away. Any bus travelling from Jaco to Quepos and Manuel Antonio will pass through Bejuco.
18 Nearby Places You Must Visit in Bejuco
1. San Jose
San José is the capital of Costa Rica and is located in the Central Valley.
It features world-class theatres, hotels, parks, museums, and historic structures.
It is a vast landscape that honours the natural diversity seen throughout the nation, protected by majestic volcanoes and lush hills.
- Distance: 2-hour drive
2. The Park At Ocean Ranch
The Park at Ocean Ranch is located On Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast.
850-acre oasis is an incredible landscape in a private river valley next to Jaco.
Savour a lovely trek that passes between peaks and streams and takes you deep into the rainforest, where you can engage in thrilling activities like zip lining and rappelling!
The full-day adventure package is the best way to fully explore Costa Rica!
3. Royal Butterflies
Connect with nature and take a stroll on a beautiful background of tropical flora and exotic butterflies all around you, enjoy a tranquil experience.
Discover the fascinating life cycle of butterflies and stroll down the riverbank while looking around the more than 70 different kinds of fruit trees blooming on the property.
Since It also features a gift shop, you can buy cold beverages and mementoes.
- Ticket: adult-$10 per and children under 6- free.
4. Hacienda Las Colinas
This opportunity provides the visitors with a genuine and exceptional experience at Hacienda Las Colinas, one of the greatest ranches in Costa Rica.
Primary tropical forests with diverse species surround you.
The vistas that you will never forget are breathtaking as you ride across the hills!
- Distance: 30-min car ride
5. Rancho La Merced
Get ready to go on peaceful horseback rides, hike on the reserve’s pathways, and spend time in the tropical forests and mangroves.
- Distance: 1 hour 24-min car ride.
6. Fishing Tours
Do not forget to take a fantastic fishing experience for up to four people on a Yacht in the Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
Take this Deep Sea Fishing Tour to discover your fishing prowess.
Take your family on a leisurely ride to witness the sunset and the numerous dolphins on the coast of Samara.
Additionally, you can also spot Whales and marine turtles!
7. Monteverde orchid garden
You can book educational tours to explore this orchid garden with hundreds of blooming plants.
There are almost 450 distinct species present in one location. Every day, around 120 distinct varieties of them blossom.
This 45-minute trip will teach you about hybrids, wild orchids, how to take good care of plants at home, and a lot more while allowing you to peacefully mingle with nature.
- Distance: 3-hour car ride from Playa Bejuco
8. Pura Vida gardens and waterfall
If you are a nature enthusiast and waterfall chaser, you should not miss Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls.
The 50-acre gardens are an excellent spot to relax on your route to or from an excursion in the rainforest because they’re close to the Carara National Park entrance.
This location is also accessible as a stop on tours that explore the area’s forests and waterfalls.
These tours usually leave from Jaco. Hiking and swimming are great ways to be outdoors, while an ATV tour is a quick way to see more of the area.
9. Cerro Chato volcano
Depending on your level of fitness, you can take a walk to the summit of Cerro Chato, it only takes one to two hours each way.
Cerro Chato volcano is quietly adjacent to Arenal.
Cerro Chato has a beautiful emerald-green crater lake that appears almost supernatural.
10. La Garita Botanical Orchid Garden
This is a special place where you may see orchid life in the magnificent natural surroundings!
Using the perfect environment La Garita, Alajuela created a location that provides all the necessary elements for orchids to flourish and bloom.
You can enjoy strolling along the pathways and witness the environment that has hundreds of plants.
This family of orchids includes hybrids and species chosen to provide the finest options for enthusiasts who collect and appreciate these lovely plants.
11. Spirogyra butterfly garden
Take a 10-minute stroll from San José’s downtown, and there lies this haven where you may unwind.
Get away from the grind, take in the fresh air, read while surrounded by butterflies, and stroll along the route.
You can observe a diverse range of butterflies in the garden at various phases of their lives, together with the plants that sustain their life cycle!
12. La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna waterfall is widely visited by tourists and is located near the gigantic Arenal volcano.
You can enjoy breathtaking views, and hot springs, and swim in the gushing waterfall.
But make sure to be cautious of the rocks. You can take a 20-minute trail to the waterfall and get a stairway.
- Ticket: Foreign Adult- $20, Costa Rican adult- $9 and children below 8- free.
13. Rio Celeste Waterfall
You’ll reach a section with a few big signs and the stairway arch to the waterfall after passing across two tiny rivers and the remainder of the trail.
It is magnificent that you could stay at this captivating waterfall all day. It’s impossible to look away from the vivid blue lake!
Encircled by a thick tropical forest, the majestic Rio Celeste Waterfall plunges 98 feet into a dazzling blue pool of water.
14. Montezuma Falls
Moreover, while ascending in mud and roots on the right side of the stream after first climbing up, you will spot some boulders on the left side of the waterfall river and across the river flow.
We advise you to put on appropriate shoes. So, expect the need to climb and descend a lot of stairs.
So, we would not advise it if you have bad knees or ankles. However, if you have strong feet and are in reasonably good shape, getting there shouldn’t be too difficult.
- Location: Puntarenas Province
- Distance: 5-hour drive from Playa Bejuco
15. Esterillos Beach Bike Rentals
Make your trip adventurous by renting bikes and travelling around the entire seashore!
Esterillos Beach is about five kilometres away from Playa Bejuco. This beach is a fantastic choice for a vacation as it has a relaxed atmosphere.
Furthermore, there are uncountable exciting things to explore in and around Bejuco as there are so many attractions nearby!
You can rent bikes and these are provided in excellent condition with utmost comfort.
If you are visiting Playa Bejuco beach with family and friends, we recommend you visit Esterillo Oeste and explore the beaches.
Enjoy a smooth ride and thrilling experience and relax on the beaches encircled by lush rainforests.
16. El Indio Waterfall
The El Indio Waterfall is a lovely spot to stroll in Puriscal.
You will have the chance to listen and simply delve into the moment as you build a connection with this incredible fauna.
Eventually, you will come across 4 stunning waterfalls along the trek, that showcase the majesty of nature as it unfolds before you.
Grab the thrilling opportunity to run or walk behind the waterfall and swim in the rock pools.
Do not forget to experience the sound and sensation of the water tumbling in front of you—a mystical power of nature!
- Ticket: ¢12,000 tour with guide and lunch
- ¢3000 per meal
18. Ballena Marine National Park
This park is in a natural setting having whales of all kinds and several dolphin species, making it their favourite spot.
You can explore the beaches, witness a wide variety of marine life by practising shallow and deep diving, or see the tómbolo (whale tail) within the park.
Take pleasure in sailing on neighbouring islands or the serene sea that laps these coastlines.
You can see whales and dolphins breaching the surface of the ocean and performing.
- Distance: 1 hour 30-min drive.
19. Uvita Waterfall
Uvita is one of the waterfalls, where you could really slide into a pool from the top of the falls.
An emerald forest encircles the waterfall. The Uvita Waterfall is no different.
The walk heads to the main waterfall after the entry, passing by a river that flows through the forest and forms natural pools and cascades.
The waterfall continuously creates a natural pool and a pile of boulders. You can unwind on the rocks beneath the waterfall and swim in the pool.
Undoubtedly It feels incredible when the rushing water showers you!
Costa Rican Food in Bejuco
Dish | What it is | Image |
Gallo pinto (rice and beans) | This is a traditional dish made with rice and beans. It tastes delicious with lots of cilantro, onions and bell peppers. | |
Chifrijo (fried pork with red beans) | It is made with two key ingredients: pork and red beans. It is also served with a topping of tomatoes, and avocados and paired with nachos, tortillas and chips. | |
Gorditas | The fried corn cakes taste delicious. Traditionally they are served with fried eggs, black beans, red salsa, Parmesan cheese and avocado. | |
Rondón (seafood and coconut stew) | This seafood dish includes cassava, conch, sea snails, clams, Chiles and coconut rice. | |
Chorreadas | These authentic Costa Rican pancakes are served widely in every restaurant or festival. Make sure to order this to relieve your cravings. It is topped with butter, honey, and sour cream! | |
Olla de carne (beef and vegetable stew) | This dish is made with beef, cooked for around 8 hours and includes potatoes, corn, carrots and yuca. You can pair it with rice and beans too. | |
Tostadas | This Costa Rican dish is made with freshly baked bread and can be paired with any topping of your choice. | |
Picadillo (vegetable hash) | This is a tasty dish made with colourful chopped vegetables, herbs, onions, picadillo, green beans, potatoes, and seasoning. | |
Tortillas | This is a staple item in Bejuco, Costa Rica. These are topped with butter, cheese, sausage and omelette. | |
Copo (shaved ice) | This is a widely loved dessert, topped with milk powder, fruit, marshmallows, and flavoured syrups and served in cups and cones. | |
Savory Fried Empanadas | These are delicious fried snacks made with chicken, potato, and chorizo. Served with mouthwatering dips like guacamole and salsa. | |
Ceviche | This refreshing dish is a must-try- raw fish that is served chilled topped with lemon juice, onions, peppers and garnished with cilantro. |
Best Hotels in Bejuco
Jaco Laguna Resort & Beach Club
Best Restaurants in Bejuco
Restaurant | Speciality | Image |
La Rioja Restaurante | Serves best pizza, steak, tapas, hamburgers and cocktails. | |
Sunsets Restaurant | Offers outdoor seating, and South American and Costa Rican cuisine. Serves best soup, salad, beef, fish and shrimp. | |
Valhalla Danish Cafe & Bakery | Serves vegan, and vegetarian food, breakfast, coffee, croissants, cookies and smoothies. | |
El Pargo Feliz | Offers Italian cuisine, juicy shish kebab, bruschetta and pasta. | |
Bejuco Breeze Sushi Lounge | Delicious Japanese, and Asian cuisine and seafood. | |
Don torro beach | Serves American and Costa Rican cuisine, and seafood and offers outdoor seating. | |
Pollolandia Bejuco | Serves fast food and offers takeaway. | |
El Barco Restaurante & Bar | Offers chilled beer, sea-facing dining options, Costa Rican cuisine and fish. | |
Pizzeria Y Restaurante El Maná | Serves the best pizza, American, and Costa Rican cuisine. | |
Restaurant Los Almendros | Famous for seafood, fideuá and tender meat. |
FAQs
Where is Bejuco Beach in Costa Rica?
Playa Bejuco is located in the Puntarenas Province, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Often known as Bejuco Beach, it has become the most visited and picturesque location for a getaway. It has a blue flag, only the beaches that are in excellent condition and ecologically sound have it.
Where is Playa Esterillos?
Esterillos is on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is a 10.2 km car drive from Bejuco Beach and roughly midway between Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Explore the stunning dark blue waters with rolling waves, and it’s black sand. Therefore, It’s perfect for surfing, but not so great for swimming.
Where is the mermaid statue in Costa Rica?
Explore the sculpture known as La Sirena, or “The Mermaid,” in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica’s stunning Playa Esterillos Beach. The mermaid symbolizes an attachment to the ocean with the marine life.