Costa Rica’s central Pacific beaches alternate between developed and undeveloped starting in the north with the condo towers of Jacó followed by the little beach bars and wildlife refuge at Playa Hermosa, the scattered cabinas and rental houses of the Esterillos, and the long deserted near island at Palo Seco.  The development picks up again at Manuel Antonio where boutique hotels and mini resorts are nestled up against the famous national park.  South from Manuel Antonio Playas Savegre, Matapalo and Barú are nearly deserted until you reach the surfing hangout at Dominical.  Still further south the people disappear again on Ojochal, Ventanas and Tortuga.

Click on the thumbnails for a more detailed description, location and larger images.