Playa Coyote, Guanacaste

Playa Coyote is among the many beautiful and remote beaches that sit off the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste province. Lying on the pristine shores of the Pacific, and in between Playa Samara and Playa Manzanillo, this beach is actually quite isolated as most roads leading here are dirt tracks that are very rough and practically impassable when it rains. The best way to reach this stunning beach is to catch a domestic flight from the capital San Jose to the airports of Samara or Islita, and then drive out to Playa Coyote via the village of San Francisco de Coyote, which is around four kilometers from the beach.

Remote Playa Coyote

Quiet and tranquil, Playa Coyote is considered by many to be one of the best and remote beaches in Costa Rica. The perfect place to have a long relaxing holiday away from the hubbub of the city, this picturesque beach offers tourists amazing sunsets and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Divided by the Rio Jabillo and a mangrove estuary, to get from the northern to the southern end of the beach you have to travel back up to San Francisco de Coyote and then back down again to the beach.

Things To Do

The waters here are perfect for swimming as the tide remains low most of the time. However, further south near Punta Coyote, the swells are good enough to surf. Many Tico families often come here for a picnic as there is a good restaurant on the beachfront that has camping services and excellent seafood. Most people who stay in Playa Coyote usually camp out on the beach. On the other hand, for those who prefer a comfortable bed, San Francisco de Coyote has a few hotels, rooms and cabinas to stay at.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Besides the usual water sport activities, you can go for horseback rides along the beach or visit the nearby sea turtle rehabilitation program in Playa Caletas. Mountain bikes are also available for rent out here.

Getting to Playa Coyote

Located roughly 7 km to the south from Playa San Miguel, you can also catch a ferry from Puntarenas city to Playa Naranjo or Paquera, and then drive up to Jicaral. From here, head west to San Francisco de Coyote. Playa Coyote is a virgin tropical paradise with a long and sandy horseshoe-shaped beach that is surrounded by tall coconut trees. Here, many beautiful birds and monkeys can also be seen along the seashore, making it a great beach for bird watchers.