Playa Bejuco: A Destination Between Destinations

Last Updated: July 3, 2025

A drive along Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast will bring you to some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. And while the bigger towns get much of the hype, there is a lot to see in between them. The hour-long stretch of road between Jaco and Manuel Antonio passes amazing surf spots, rolling farm fields, and quiet beachside communities.

One destination that is often overlooked along this route is Playa Bejuco. This small beachside town has its own amenities and a beautiful palm-tree-lined beach. In this post, we’ll share all the information you need to plan a visit to Playa Bejuco. 

A Central Location

Background

Playa Bejuco (Puntarenas) has a desirable location for visitors who want to see main attractions but also stay somewhere less busy, and perhaps, less expensive. It’s about 30 minutes south of Jaco and 45 minutes north of Manuel Antonio.

Bejuco Beach is right off the coastal highway, Route 34. The main area consists of just one short (paved) road that runs from the highway directly to the beach. Along that strip are a couple of residential developments and small hotels. There is also a mini-super (convenience store).

The main road ends at the beach. Here, you’ll find a narrow sandy road that runs both to the left and right. 

Proximity to Jaco and Manuel Antonio

Both Jaco and Manuel Antonio are easy day trips from Playa Bejuco.

Jaco is the largest tourist town on the central Pacific coast. It has a main strip with loads of great restaurants, shops, and tour operators if you are looking for adventure. The beach in Jaco isn’t the most pristine, but it always has a lot going on, which makes it fun.  

In the other direction is Manuel Antonio, which is famous for its abundant wildlife. The jungle-backed town is full of excellent restaurants and has many tours available as well.

Tip: If you plan to stay in Playa Bejuco, you’ll definitely want a car to explore the coast. Check out our rental car discount for 10% off and free extras like a beach cooler and surf racks. You don’t need a 4×4 vehicle for exploring the Bejuco Beach area.

Proximity to the Airport

From Costa Rica’s largest airport near San Jose (SJO), the drive to Playa Bejuco is about 2 hours along paved highways. This adds to the town’s appeal since you can usually eliminate airport hotel stays, depending on your flights.  

Note: There are two beaches in Costa Rica that go by the name of Playa Bejuco. One is south of Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula. The one we are talking about here is on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast in the province of Puntarenas.

Playa Bejuco – About the Beach  

While day trips to the major tourist spots are fun, Playa Bejuco is an attraction in and of itself.

Shady palm trees are spaced out along the beach road, allowing you to pull your car right up to the sand’s edge in many spots.   

Playa Bejuco is a long expanse of gray sand. It stretches for miles in each direction so is great for long walks.

To the north, you can see one point, which is the surfing town of Esterillos Oeste. Far to the south, you can faintly see another point with a large hill. This is Quepos and Manuel Antonio. 

The beach often has strong waves and rip currents so it’s hard to swim at. But at lower tides, you can wade and splash around a bit. Kids often boogie board, and some people surf when conditions are right. Just keep in mind that Playa Bejuco no longer has a lifeguard due to lack of funding so use caution when swimming.

Between taking dips in the warm Pacific, most people enjoy their time under the palm trees or out on the sand.

While not really on the tourist map, many locals from San Jose and other parts of Costa Rica come to Playa Bejuco on weekends and holidays. This can make for a fun cultural experience. There’s lots of relaxing in hammocks, barbecuing, friendly soccer matches, and spending time with family and friends.

Activities in Playa Bejuco

In addition to the beach, there are several things to do in the Bejuco Beach area. 

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding along the beach is popular, especially at sunset.

One excellent operator in the area is the Beach Barn in nearby Esterillos Este. Our son took riding lessons there when we lived in this area. The owner is passionate about horseback riding and takes great care of her horses.

Rainmaker Park

For lush jungle, hanging bridges, and waterfalls, the nearby Rainmaker Park is the perfect spot.

This private reserve protects 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of pristine rainforest and is a great place to experience nature. Be sure to bring your bathing suit to swim in the river and many waterfalls.

Rainmaker is about a 40-minute drive from Bejuco. Our post, Rainmaker Conservation Park: Unspoiled Nature Near Manuel Antonio, has more information to plan your visit. 

Catarata El Salto de Gamalotillo

For an easy-to-access waterfall, there’s Catarata El Salto de Gamalotillo.

This little-known waterfall is only about 30 minutes from Playa Bejuco. It’s located in the beautiful countryside and makes a great day trip. Read our post about the waterfall for all the details, including directions.

Beaches of Playa Esterillos

Just north of Playa Bejuco, you’ll find the beach towns of Playa Esterillos Este, Esterillos Centro, and Esterillos Oeste. These are all very small towns with a mix of locals and expats. Esterillos Este and Centro both have gorgeous gray-sand beaches that are often all-but deserted.

The largest of the three towns is Playa Esterillos Oeste. This is a popular surfing beach but it also has some unique tide pools that are fun to explore. Our kids love seeing what they can find in the small pools and swimming in the larger ones.

Another notable attraction in Esterillos Oeste is the mermaid statue, La Sirena. This impressive bronze statue sits out in the ocean, guarding the town with her watchful eye. You can walk out to the statue at low tide along the rocks.

Day Trips

Manuel Antonio

As we mentioned, day trips to Manuel Antonio National Park are popular from Bejuco. Although you will see some wildlife in Bejuco, like Scarlet Macaw parrots, in Manuel Antonio, you can see a lot more. Some highlights are three types of monkeys, sloths, toucans, and several types of reptiles.

The Manuel Antonio area also has a nice wildlife center you can visit called Kids Saving the Rainforest. On a guided tour, you’ll hear the stories of how the animals ended up at the center and learn how they are being helped. 

Finally, if you’re a foodie, one thing you won’t want to miss is the spice farm tour. At Villa Vanilla’s farm, you’ll walk the forested trails and learn how spices like vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper are grown, then try them in a delicious tasting at the end.

Jaco

One of our favorite activities from Jaco is Tortuga Island. A catamaran takes you to this white-sand island, where you can swim in the calm water, snorkel, and even take a banana boat ride. Our family has been several times and it’s always a memorable experience.

For more opportunities to see monkeys, an Isla Damas boat or kayak tour is a great option. This tour also has a nice cultural element with a home-cooked meal.

If you’re looking for a high-adrenaline adventure, a nearby adventure park offers a fun zip-line tour that we enjoyed as well as a chocolate tour.

Tour Booking Help: If you need any help booking activities for your trip, feel free to reach out through the links above. Booking through us costs the same and helps support our website! Learn more about our travel agency.

Accommodations in Playa Bejuco

While Playa Bejuco doesn’t have big hotels or resorts, there are a few good accommodation options for visitors.

Vacation Rentals

The most common accommodations are vacation rentals.

Several gated communities in and around Playa Bejuco offer large home rentals with full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, nice gardens, and often a private pool. Some are within a short walk to the beach, while others are located a few minutes away by car. A couple of popular options on the beach side are Costa del Sol and Malaga. 

Along the beach road, you’ll also find some stand-alone rental units. These are right across the street from the beach and have an amazing view.

Read our tips on staying in vacation rentals in Costa Rica.

Hotels

Along with vacation homes, a few smaller hotels and cabins are also dotted into the community.

A simple, but popular choice, is Hotel Playa Bejuco. This is on the main road, just a one-minute walk to the water. It is run by friendly locals and has a pool and restaurant onsite.

Another option is EcoVida Cabinas. EcoVida has basic, but well-equipped, cabins nestled in the rainforest. They also have a larger apartment made from a shipping container. The owners of EcoVida are passionate about the surrounding environment and sustainable farming.

Camping

Finally, there is camping available at Playa Bejuco. Several campgrounds are located along the beach road. For a small daily fee, you can set up a tent and get access to bathrooms and showers. 

Bejuco’s Restaurants & Other Local Eats

Although the town of Playa Bejuco is very small, it has several good choices for dining in or taking out.

Esterillos Town Center

Across the highway from the beach, you will find Esterillos Town Center. This is a large plaza with some shopping as well as several dining options. It also has a small, but well-stocked, grocery store, bakery, and a weekly farmers market (Saturday evenings during high season).

We have enjoyed several meals at La Rioja Restaurant. They have a big tapas menu if you just need a small bite to eat. They also have wood-fired pizza and a variety of entrees, including fried snapper, grilled seafood, steaks, and burgers. On Fridays, check out their 2×1 cocktails and live music.

For nicely done food in a casual atmosphere, there is Jardines Café Emma. They serve traditional Costa Rican or American-style breakfast, along with burgers and quality steak and seafood plates. They also sell all-natural homemade breads and bagels.

Sunsets Restaurant

On the beach side of town is Sunsets Restaurant in Hotel Playa Bejuco.

They serve mostly typical Costa Rican fare like arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) and casados (plates with rice, beans, salad, and a protein like fish or meat), but they have some more elaborate entrees as well like chicken cordon bleu. The dining area is located next to the hotel’s pool.

Beach Vendors

Along with the restaurants above, you can usually find some beach vendors offering local foods, especially on weekends. They walk around selling fresh ceviche or cold coconuts.

There is also usually someone selling ice cream or a local treat called a granizado. These are a snow-cone-type dessert made with shaved ice, sweet fruit syrups, powdered milk, and condensed sweet milk. They are sure to give you a sugar high! The vendor walks around with a cart and makes it right there for you.

Conclusion

Playa Bejuco is a tranquil beach town that is the perfect base for exploring Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. From day trips to popular tourist towns like Manuel Antonio and Jaco to lazy beach days, you’re sure to have a pleasant stay.

Have you been to Playa Bejuco or have a question about the area? Leave us a comment below.

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Looking for more information to help you plan? Check out these posts:

Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go – Planning to rent a car for your trip? This comprehensive guide covers everything from road conditions and driving laws to navigation tips and what to expect on Costa Rica’s highways.

La Iguana Chocolate – This family-run farm in the mountains near Bejuco offers hands-on chocolate making from tree to truffle. You’ll help grind cacao beans and taste some of the best organic chocolate in Costa Rica.

Beaches: Looking to explore more lesser-known beaches during your trip? Our Beaches category has 20+ options. Or get ideas for more activities with our Things to Do section.