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Paquera's
Islands and Beaches
Paquera offers 29 beaches and 6 islands to explore, including dark sand and white sand beaches, calm waters, and even some turquoise waters. Below are a few highlights.
Isla Tortuga
Isla Tortuga, located off the coast of Paquera, Costa Rica, is a secluded tropical island renowned for its pristine beaches and abundant marine life. This unspoiled gem offers visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in a serene natural setting. With crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, and a diverse array of wildlife, Isla Tortuga is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and beach enthusiasts alike.
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Paquera is the closest town with daily tours to the island, making Paquera the perfect place to plan your visit to Isla Totuga.
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Playa Quesera
Nestled within the Curú Wildlife Refuge, Playa Quesera is a protected beach, recognized as a Blue Flag beach with limited daily visits to preserve this hidden gem. Accessible via a 4 kilometer hike or by water, Playa Quesera offers visitors turqouise waters, white sand, and limited crowds. To visit this beach, make a reservation with Curu Wildlife Reserve by calling +506 6209-3846.
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Isla Jesusita
Isla Jesusita, nestled off the coast of Paquera in Costa Rica, is a lesser-known but equally stunning tropical paradise. This secluded island offers visitors a chance to escape the crowds and experience the true beauty of the Gulf of Nicoya. Visitors may witness humpback whales, sting rays, and the iconic bioluminescence of Paquera. On this island, visitors will find a unique opportunity for luxury glamping with Isla Chiquita. Click here to learn more.
Playa Órganos
Playa Órganos is the closest beach to the community of Paquera, just a five minute drive from the center of town. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, this long beach offers plenty of room for visitors to explore, play in the sand, fish, walk or run along the water.
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Visitors can often see stingrays jumping in the waves and on the days with limited moonlight, Órganos offers a beautiful night sky full of stars.
Isla Cedros
Isla Cedros is the only inhabited island of the Cost of Paquera, with around 80 residents. This island offers visitors the traditional culture of the Gulf of Nicoya, with many families relying on fishing as their main economic provider. You can experience this fresh delicious sea food on the unique floating restaurant just of the shore of the island. Visitors can find a few different lodging accommodations on the island, including camping and cabins.
Playa Muertos
Reach playa Muertos by boat from the small fishing community of Pochote, a 20 minute drive from the center of Paquera.
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Playa Muertos offers a serene escape with its pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking scenery. As a less-known beach, it retains its natural charm and provides a relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the sun in this idyllic setting. Keep your eyes peeled for various bird species and other wildlife that call this tranquil paradise home.
Playa Curú
Playa Curú is the main beach within the Curú Wildlife Refuge and can only be accessed by boat or through entering the reserve. Visitors can enjoy beautiful views and wildlife that frequent the beach. Playa Curú is also apart of the Blue Flag program and preserves it´s beautiful nature through sustainable practices. Plan a day trip or take advantage of the beachfront cabins available for reservation on Curú´s website.
Isla San Lucas
Discover the Dark Past and Natural Beauty of Isla San Lucas
Once a remote and isolated island prison, Isla San Lucas now offers a unique blend of history and nature. Explore the remnants of its past as a harsh correctional facility and discover a diverse ecosystem. Hike through lush trails, spot diverse wildlife, and relax on pristine beaches. Snorkel or dive in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life.
Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or adventure seeker, Isla San Lucas offers an unforgettable experience.
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You can explore the island by booking a tour with one of the many guides located in Paquera.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Nicoya near Paquera, is a charming white-sand beach with calm, turquoise waters and a truly local Costa Rican feel. The area has long been home to fishing families, and visitors can still see small boats heading out daily.
It’s a great place for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with a few local sodas and small lodgings nearby. During holidays and school vacations, many Costa Rican families visit to enjoy its relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Easily accessible by road from Paquera, Playa Blanca offers the perfect blend of authentic local life and natural beauty — a true pura vida beach.
Islas Pajaros
Islas Pájaros, located in the Gulf of Nicoya near Paquera, are a small group of three rocky bird islands that serve as nesting sanctuaries for hundreds of brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds. The steep cliffs are often covered in white from the birds’ presence, and the constant movement and calls of the colonies create an unforgettable natural spectacle, especially for bird lovers and photographers.
During low tide, the southernmost island reveals a beautiful white-sand beach that appears like a hidden treasure in the middle of the gulf. For a few hours, it becomes an ideal place to stop and admire the scenery before it disappears again under the rising tide.
Surrounded by the calm blue waters of the gulf, the Islas Pájaros offer one of the most impressive displays of seabird life and raw coastal beauty in Costa Rica.
Playa Gigante
​Playa Gigante, tucked inside a quiet bay on the Gulf of Nicoya near Paquera, is a small, peaceful beach surrounded by coastal forest and local life. The community is made up of traditional fishing families, giving the area a warm and authentic Costa Rican atmosphere.
The beach has road access, and from the shore you can see several small islands scattered across the gulf. Just around the corner lies a mangrove forest, home to crabs, herons, and other coastal wildlife.
With its mix of local charm, calm waters, and natural beauty, Playa Gigante captures the essence of the authentic Gulf of Nicoya experience.