Three of the prettiest beaches on the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica are Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva. That is if you like long stretches of gorgeous picture postcard Caribbean coastline with warm turquoise ocean and graceful tall palm trees.
When you are on the beach on the Costa Rica Southern Caribbean Coast, all you see are sea, sand, sky, trees … and maybe the occasional other person or pretty tropical bird or monkey. There are no high-rise mega-resorts or unending rows of condos like on many of Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches. Here, everything blends in harmony with the rainforest.
Playa Cocles begins 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile) south of Puerto Viejo Costa Rica , a funky beach town and “capital” of the Southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica. Its soft golden beach stretches 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) to Playa Chiquita. There are trails that hug the beach passing under giant trees, past bright tropical flowers, sea grapes and lots of greenery. Watch for monkeys, colorful tropical birds, sloths, green iguanas and crabs.
Playa Cocles is a top Caribbean Costa Rica beach for surfing and boogie boarding. For lovers of the underwater world, the Southern Caribbean has some of the best coral reefs and marine life in Costa Rica. Coral reef extends along the coast from the Cahuita National Park to the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The picturesque beaches of Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva, just past Playa Cocles to the south, are also excellent for snorkeling.
La Sula Sea Lounge of Hotel Le Caméléon is one of the best places to relax on Playa Cocles. Lounge on a day-bed by the sea. Sip a refreshing tropical drink from the bar and have a light snack, before grabbing a siesta in one of the hammocks under a palm tree.
The upscale Costa Rica boutique hotel at Playa Cocles features ultra-chic rooms and beautiful tropical architecture in lush jungle gardens; the elegant Le Numu Restaurant & Bar is one of the area’s top restaurants.
Getting to the Southern Caribbean of Costa Rica and Playa Cocles is now easier than ever with a new 30-minute flight by Nature Air between San Jose and Limon.
Hotel Le Caméléon is offering a three-night vacation package until Mar. 27, 2015 that includes round-trip flights on Nature Air, accommodation, some meals, VIP access to the La Sula Sea Lounge, and a tour to the Jaguar Rescue Center.
Article by Shannon Farley
