THE CENTRAL PACIFIC ZONE oF COSTA RICA
The Central Pacific Zone is one of the main attractions in the country of Costa Rica. This region boosts exciting adventures along with some of the best waves and beaches in the world. The coastline offers various beaches that range from ones that are crowded, full of action and recreational sports to ones that are tranquil, quiet and hidden. Below are just a few beaches to not miss while you are in the area:
Playa Agujas is a calm tranquil beach located 20 minutes north of Surf Inn Hermosa. Agujas is home to one of the most fun water sports in the region. Kayak Jaco runs sea kayak, surf kayak and snorkel tours over to Punta Leona beach for the day. Punta Leona is located on one of the most pristine white sand beaches in Costa Rica and well worth the stop.
Playa Herradura is home to Los Suenos Resort & Marina where the center of sport fishing for the country is located! Los Suenos is a 100 acre master planned destination resort community that encompasses a full service 200 slip international marina; exclusive shops and restaurants and an 18-hole championship golf course. The Los Suenos Marina houses luxury sport fishing boats all ready for to be taken out for the day. Surf Inn Hermosa can help arrange your fishing charter if necessary. Located within Herradura Bay is the national tourist destination beach of Herradura which is known for swimming, water activities and their dive center. There are also daily shuttles from here to other points off of the Nicoya Peninsula including Tortuga Island and Montezuma.
In this zone, Playa Jaco is the most visited beach. Jaco is the second largest city and located 5 minutes north of Surf Inn Hermosa and only 2 hours from San Jose. There is never a dull moment in Jaco! Jaco is one of the favorite Central Pacific beaches crowded with national and international tourists who all come to "The Land of Adventure and City of Surf" to experience a good time. The town of Jaco is located in front of the beach and offers excellent restaurants, hotels and clubs for every type of tourist. This region is considered one of the most developed coastal areas of the country providing a diversity of tours, activities, national parks, dancing, dining and nightlife.
Playa Hermosa is located 5 miles south of Jaco and is one of the best surfing havens in the country. Hermosa is a black sand beach surrounded by mountains and arguably the most consistent surf break in Costa Rica. This is backed up by the recent choice of the International Surfing Association to have Playa Hermosa host the 2009 Billabong World Surfing Games July 31st-August8, 2009! Due to the fact that Hermosa had a city zoning plan, this beach is no where near as developed as Jaco. It is a quaint little town with a lot to offer. Hermosa is full of outdoor activities, natural beauty, and the mecca of surfing. Surf Inn Hermosa is located on this famous beach in the heart of Playa Hermosa. Come and enjoy! You might just stay awhile!
South of Hermosa, one will find the three Esterillos Beaches: Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este. All three of these beaches offer surf break potentials for the novice to the experienced surfer. Warm sun, cool water, good fishing and waves abound in the Esterillos beaches. Each beach pueblo offers a few restaurants to choose from, a small store from which to purchase supplies and some palm trees to hang your hammock from. All three are worth the visit!
Twenty minutes south of Jaco is the town of Parrita, a small Costa Rican farming town that offers close vicinity to Esterillos, Bejuco, Palo Seca and Bandera Beaches. Here you can find inexpensive sodas, a bank, a gas station and internet.
Further down the coastline is the crown jewel of Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio National Park where naturalists flock!
This park is just located approximately 1 hour form Surf Inn Hermosa. There is a magic to Manuel Antonio that is hard to explain. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: once you've been here you'll want to come back again. Manuel Antonio, with its 1700 acres of land mass and 135,906 acres of marine reserve is one of the country's most visited conservation area. Last year alone, 143,520 tourists visited the park On Mondays the park is closed to the public. Manuel Antonio is the natural habitat of species such as the endangered squirrel monkey (endemic to the area), white faced capuchin monkey, raccoons, three and two-toed sloths, white-nosed coaties, brown pelicans, black-collared hawks and green kingfishers. They share the space with primary and secondary forests, bursting with cedars, bully trees, locust, black locusts and silk cotton trees. A mangrove swamp covers about 44.5 acres, adding to the bio diversity of the region. Three different species: red mangrove, buttonwood mangrove and white mangrove - around. Surf Inn Hermosa can help you set up your tour to Manuel Antonio National Park!
