Our Costa Rica Guidebook
Sightseeing
Must see. Monkeys. Sloths. Miles of deserted beach. Also Playa Linda, another mile south, across the street from El Patio .. Not to be Missed. Weekends are busy on all beaches because the locals are off work. Be safe driving always!
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Playa Matapalo
Must see. Monkeys. Sloths. Miles of deserted beach. Also Playa Linda, another mile south, across the street from El Patio .. Not to be Missed. Weekends are busy on all beaches because the locals are off work. Be safe driving always!
The park is amazing.
Tip.... Don't fall for the parking scams. None of the guys who try to tell you where to park or try to charge you money are really in charge or can make you do anything. I usually drive right pass the guys telling me to park somewhere.. and park where I like.. If someone tried to tell me I owe them. I tell them I know I don't and maybe offer them 1000 colones. This is different for restaurants in Manuel Antonio- you need to be eating there to park there. But for beaches, park like you're a local and don't get pressured to pay or park anywhere you're not comfortable.
Also, buy your ticket at the park, not from someone on the street. Sometimes they are fake on the street. You can also buy tickets ahead online on the government website.
serviciosenlinea.sinac
No food or drink allowed inside the park.
Always take your valuables with you.
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Manuel Antonio
The park is amazing.
Tip.... Don't fall for the parking scams. None of the guys who try to tell you where to park or try to charge you money are really in charge or can make you do anything. I usually drive right pass the guys telling me to park somewhere.. and park where I like.. If someone tried to tell me I owe them. I tell them I know I don't and maybe offer them 1000 colones. This is different for restaurants in Manuel Antonio- you need to be eating there to park there. But for beaches, park like you're a local and don't get pressured to pay or park anywhere you're not comfortable.
Also, buy your ticket at the park, not from someone on the street. Sometimes they are fake on the street. You can also buy tickets ahead online on the government website.
serviciosenlinea.sinac
No food or drink allowed inside the park.
Always take your valuables with you.
A drive to Uvita is worth it.
Check out Marino Ballena National Park and experience the beautiful beaches and unique sand bar at low tide.
Also, several tours offered to Caño Island for snorkeling and diving in the protected waters.
This is a bustling town with lots of restaurants, bars, stores and activity hubs.
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Uvita
A drive to Uvita is worth it.
Check out Marino Ballena National Park and experience the beautiful beaches and unique sand bar at low tide.
Also, several tours offered to Caño Island for snorkeling and diving in the protected waters.
This is a bustling town with lots of restaurants, bars, stores and activity hubs.
Playa Linda. 10 minutes away- Just south of Matapalo is Playa Linda. It’s one of the most beautiful, private beaches in all of Costa Rica. Look for the El Patio Restaurant and Los Villas market as the dirt road to Playa Linda is across the street from those. It’s a quarter mile dirt road through the pasture to this hidden gem! Note! Beaches get more crowded on the weekends with the locals being off work. Best time for deserted beaches are weekdays.
To get here take the dirt road directly across the street from El Patio. To find El Patio go just south of Matapalo approx 1 mile and you will see it and a grocery store on the east side of the road. The dirt road is across the street.
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Playa Linda
Playa LindaPlaya Linda. 10 minutes away- Just south of Matapalo is Playa Linda. It’s one of the most beautiful, private beaches in all of Costa Rica. Look for the El Patio Restaurant and Los Villas market as the dirt road to Playa Linda is across the street from those. It’s a quarter mile dirt road through the pasture to this hidden gem! Note! Beaches get more crowded on the weekends with the locals being off work. Best time for deserted beaches are weekdays.
To get here take the dirt road directly across the street from El Patio. To find El Patio go just south of Matapalo approx 1 mile and you will see it and a grocery store on the east side of the road. The dirt road is across the street.
Dominical Farmer’s market every Friday from 8 am- noon. Lots of local fruits, crafts, alternative medicines, clothes and more!
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Eco Feria
Dominical Farmer’s market every Friday from 8 am- noon. Lots of local fruits, crafts, alternative medicines, clothes and more!
Food scene
Phat Noodle
Fuego Brew Co.
Runaway Grill
Bar Jolly Roger
This is a great spot for drinks and snacks! Tortilla Flats is a beach front restaurant in Dominical and a prime spot to relax after surfing or shopping!
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Tortilla Flats
This is a great spot for drinks and snacks! Tortilla Flats is a beach front restaurant in Dominical and a prime spot to relax after surfing or shopping!
Cafe Mono Congo
Our favorite restaurant in Manuel Antonio
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Manuel Antonio Falafel bar
Our favorite restaurant in Manuel Antonio
Just off the main road on the east side in Matapalo. Sushi is amazing
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La Langosta Feliz
Just off the main road on the east side in Matapalo. Sushi is amazing
The best Vegan in the country. Try the falafel burger.
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Indómitos Cafe
The best Vegan in the country. Try the falafel burger.
Café Ensueño
Great coffee shop/ breakfast
Bar y Restaurante La Reina del Valle
Great place to people watch and have lunch.
Views off both sides of the restaurant. Very nice place.
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Cabinas La Parcela
Views off both sides of the restaurant. Very nice place.
Neighborhoods
The town below the house that you drive through. There is a cash only store right near the bridge that has all the basics!
If you drive right out of the La Joya gate there is the Portalon Waterfall about a half mile up the road. This is clean water great for swimming and jumping. It’s right before the Portasol gate. You can park on the street.
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Portalón
The town below the house that you drive through. There is a cash only store right near the bridge that has all the basics!
If you drive right out of the La Joya gate there is the Portalon Waterfall about a half mile up the road. This is clean water great for swimming and jumping. It’s right before the Portasol gate. You can park on the street.
Dominical is a must. For shopping, restaurants, bars, yoga, surf and beach. Farmer’s market on Friday morning.
Also, Local merchants set up along beach all week selling souvenirs and local art.
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Dominical
Dominical is a must. For shopping, restaurants, bars, yoga, surf and beach. Farmer’s market on Friday morning.
Also, Local merchants set up along beach all week selling souvenirs and local art.
Amazing restaurants, wildlife, shops and beaches.
For Manuel National Park:
The park is amazing. Tip.... Don't fall for the parking scams. None of the guys who try to tell you where to park or try to charge you money are really in charge or can make you do anything. I usually drive right pass the guys telling me to park somewhere.. and park where I like.. If someone tried to tell me I owe them. I tell them I know I don't and maybe offer them 1000 colones. This is different for restaurants in Manuel Antonio. you need to be eating there to park there. But for beaches, park like you're a local and don't get pressured to pay or park anywhere you're not comfortable. Also, buy your ticket at the park, not from someone on the street. Sometimes they are fake on the street. No food or drink allowed inside the park. Always take your valuables with you.
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Quepos
Amazing restaurants, wildlife, shops and beaches.
For Manuel National Park:
The park is amazing. Tip.... Don't fall for the parking scams. None of the guys who try to tell you where to park or try to charge you money are really in charge or can make you do anything. I usually drive right pass the guys telling me to park somewhere.. and park where I like.. If someone tried to tell me I owe them. I tell them I know I don't and maybe offer them 1000 colones. This is different for restaurants in Manuel Antonio. you need to be eating there to park there. But for beaches, park like you're a local and don't get pressured to pay or park anywhere you're not comfortable. Also, buy your ticket at the park, not from someone on the street. Sometimes they are fake on the street. No food or drink allowed inside the park. Always take your valuables with you.
Take this beautiful 45 minute drive over the mountain through different climates to the charming little city of San Isidro. Great shopping with a European feel/ cloud forest feel. Amazing drive. Large, cheap farmers market on Thursdays.
San Isidro
Take this beautiful 45 minute drive over the mountain through different climates to the charming little city of San Isidro. Great shopping with a European feel/ cloud forest feel. Amazing drive. Large, cheap farmers market on Thursdays.