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Home / Beaches / Playa Puerto Escondido

Playa Puerto Escondido

Пляж Пуэрто-Эскондидо
Costa Rica · Cove · Manuel Antonio
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for nature lovers and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for a quiet holiday and wildlife watching. Not suitable for families with small children due to the rocky bottom and lack of infrastructure.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
650 m
Playa Puerto Escondido is a secluded and wild beach in the national park, ideal for those seeking privacy. Rocky shores and natural tidal pools create a unique atmosphere for exploring marine life.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Puerto Escondido is a secluded and wild beach in the national park, ideal for those seeking privacy. Rocky shores and natural tidal pools create a unique atmosphere for exploring marine life.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White fine sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Picturesque cove with blowholes
  • Rich wildlife
  • Calm atmosphere
  • Free entry (park ticket required)
  • Snorkelling opportunities

Cons

  • National park ticket required
  • Rocky bottom, water shoes needed
  • No lifeguards
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Not suitable for swimming in some areas
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for nature lovers and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for a quiet holiday and wildlife watching. Not suitable for families with small children due to the rocky bottom and lack of infrastructure.
Features
What makes this beach unique
A picturesque cove in a national park with blowholes that spout water at high tide. Surrounded by dense tropical forest with monkeys and parrots.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
15 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
mixed
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
650 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
10.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December January
Season end
April May
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
1 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurante Manuel Antonio

Seafood

Park restaurant with seafood dishes and bay views

Nearby cuisines

Seafood

Fresh Pacific seafood

Must try: Fresh fish, prawns, ceviche
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
much
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Cash Snorkel mask Insect repellent
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the dry season (December–April) the best conditions.
Local Rules
Touching wild animals and corals is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Manuel Antonio National Park

One of Costa Rica-s most visited national parks with tropical forests and white-sand beaches

Playa Manuel Antonio

The park-s main beach with white sand and calm water

Playa Espadilla

Long sandy beach with strong waves, popular with surfers

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Puerto Escondido: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 15 metres from the shore. Bottom — mixed. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 650 metres.
Playa Puerto Escondido: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December, January. It ends in April, May. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Puerto Escondido: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Puerto Escondido: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Puerto Escondido: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Puerto Escondido: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurante Manuel Antonio. Cuisines available: Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Cash, Snorkel mask, Insect repellent.
Playa Puerto Escondido: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the dry season (December–April) the best conditions.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Touching wild animals and corals is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Puerto Escondido: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for nature lovers and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for a quiet holiday and wildlife watching. Not suitable for families with small children due to the rocky bottom and lack of infrastructure.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what makes this beach unique?
A picturesque cove in a national park with blowholes that spout water at high tide. Surrounded by dense tropical forest with monkeys and parrots.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White fine sand, Crystal-clear water, Picturesque cove with blowholes, Rich wildlife, Calm atmosphere, Free entry (park ticket required), Snorkelling opportunities. Cons: National park ticket required, Rocky bottom, water shoes needed, No lifeguards, Limited infrastructure, Not suitable for swimming in some areas.
Playa Puerto Escondido: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Puerto Escondido: how do I get to the city of Manuel Antonio?
The beach is located near the city of Manuel Antonio. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Manuel Antonio.

City

Manuel Antonio

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.