Playa San Josecito

The basics

Visitors head to Playa San Josecito for the day, and some camp overnight. Bear in mind that you need to carry in all of your own supplies, either on the long walk to the beach, or by water taxi from Drake Bay. The walk is gorgeous, heading through the jungle and passing by strangler figs with howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys swinging in the branches. You’ll share the trail with lizards, too, like the Jesus Christ lizard that seems to walk on water.

You won’t find many other tourists at the beach, except for around lunchtime, when tour boats bring snorkelers here after a trip out to Cano Island.

Things to know before you go

• Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, because there aren’t any shops nearby.

• If you’re walking from Drake Bay, make sure to wear durable shoes—the kind that can get wet in river crossings is best.

• Bring snorkel gear, towels, sunscreen, and a hat, and avoid the hottest times of day.

How to get there

As mentioned above, it’s not easy to get to Playa San Josecito. You can walk along the Drake Bay Hiking Trail, which will take a few hours from Drake Bay. Make sure to wear good shoes, breathable clothes, and cover yourself up from the sun. You can also pre-arrange a water taxi to either take you, or better yet, head back to Drake Bay by water taxi at sunset.

When to get there

Costa Rica’s main tourist season is from January to April, when it’s at its driest. Visitors come year-round, though, especially if they don’t mind a little rain. Aim to get to Playa San Josecito around mid-morning, then enjoy the heat of the day either swimming or relaxing under the palm trees.

Rio Claro

Not far from Playa San Josecito is the Rio Claro, which is a wonderful spot to hang out in the water with friends and family, do some diving from rocks and cliffs, and just enjoy the peaceful surroundings. You can also take a boat ride, going farther into the river for an adventure under the shade of the thick trees.