Things to Do
Beaches Outside Manuel Antonio National Park
By Explore Costa Rica Staff
Mar 13, 2007, 16:37

Beaches Outside Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Espadilla Beach

Playa Espadilla, the gray-sand beach just outside Manuel Antonio National Park boundary, is often perfect for board surfing and bodysurfing. At times it can be a bit rough for casual swimming, but because there's no entrance fee, it's the most popular beach with locals and visiting Ticos.

Some shops by the water rent boogie boards, beach chairs, and beach umbrellas. A full-day rental of a beach umbrella and two chaise longues costs around $10. (These are not available inside the Manuel Antonio national park.)

Playa Espadilla beach is actually a great spot to learn how to surf. There are several open-air shops renting surfboards and boogie boards along the road fronting this Costa Rica beach.

Rates run between $5 to $10 per hour, and around $30 to $40 per day. If you want a lesson, check in with Burro at Burro's Surf Shop (tel. 777-1413) in Quepos, or the Manuel Antonio Surf School (tel. 777-4842), which has a roadside kiosk on the road to Manuel Antonio.