On Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast in the province of Limón, Playa Chiquita is a quiet, palm-fringed beach tucked between Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Punta Uva. It is the kind of spot people often pass by on their way to better-known beaches like Cocles or Manzanillo, which is exactly why it stays so calm and laid back.
Max has been over to Puerto Viejo a few times over the years, and Playa Chiquita is one of the easiest add-ons from town: a short drive, no real signage, and a quick walk through the trees to clear Caribbean water and golden sand. Playa Chiquita holds a Bandera Azul, Costa Rica’s seal for the country’s cleanest and healthiest beaches, and the surrounding area is rich with biodiversity and small, low-impact ecotourism operators that put money back into the community.
Here is everything to know before you go: where the beach is, how to get there, what to do, where to stay and eat, and how to fit it into a southern Caribbean trip.
Where Is Playa Chiquita?
Playa Chiquita is on the southern Caribbean coast in Limón province, about 6 km (3.7 mi) east of Puerto Viejo, roughly halfway to Punta Uva. It sits along the same coastal road as the area’s other well-known beaches, so it is an easy stop on a beach-hopping day. Donde queda Playa Chiquita? The simplest answer: between Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva, with the access trail starting from the roadside.
Weather at Playa Chiquita
Because it is on the Caribbean coast, Playa Chiquita does not follow the same dry- and wet-season pattern as the rest of Costa Rica. The climate is humid year-round, with no sharply defined seasons. The sunniest months tend to be September and October, while June and November are usually the wettest. Even in the rainy stretches, mornings are often clear enough for a few good beach hours.
How to Get to Playa Chiquita
Playa Chiquita is about 67 km (41 mi) from the city of Limón (where the closest airport is), a 1 to 1.5-hour drive. From Limón Bartola Airport (LIO) or down from San Jose (223 km / 4 to 5 hours), the road takes you along the Caribbean coast through Cahuita and Puerto Viejo before reaching Playa Chiquita.
By car (recommended). From Puerto Viejo, Playa Chiquita is just a 15-minute drive, between Punta Uva (5 minutes east) and Playa Cocles (7 minutes west). The road is paved and 4×4 is not required. There is no direct road access to the beach itself, so park along the road and walk down the short trail through the trees.
By bus. From San Jose to Puerto Viejo, the daily Autotransportes MEPE public bus departs from Terminal Atlántico Norte; tickets cost around US$13 (cash, bought at the terminal between 5:30am and 6pm). Buses leave San Jose at 6am, 8am, 10am, 12pm (Fri/Sat/Sun only), 2pm, and 4pm, with a 5–6 hour journey. From Puerto Viejo to Playa Chiquita, a local Manzanillo-bound bus runs roughly hourly through the day; get off at the Chiquita sign.
By shuttle. A more comfortable option from San Jose is an air-conditioned shuttle (MyPinkBus, around US$62, ~5.5 hours).
By taxi. Taxis run from Limón (1 to 1.5 hours) and Puerto Viejo (about 15 minutes).
Parking at Playa Chiquita
There is no formal parking lot. Most visitors park along the road and walk down to the beach. A restaurant at the end of the access road has a larger lot you can use if you buy a drink or a meal. A practical tip: do not park under the tall almond trees opposite the beach. The green macaws here drop almonds from high in the canopy, and a falling nut can dent a windscreen.
Facilities at Playa Chiquita
Playa Chiquita is essentially undeveloped. There are no toilets, benches, bins, or beach cafés on the sand itself, so bring water, snacks, sun protection, and take your trash with you. Palm trees and vegetation provide natural shade, and the closest hotels and restaurants line the beach access road, a short walk back from the sand.
Things to Do at Playa Chiquita
Swim and Snorkel
Swimming is the main draw. The water is calm and clear, ideal for an easy dip, and a small reef offshore makes for decent snorkelling, with sea urchins, blue parrotfish, and anemones in the shallows. The beach almost never gets crowded.
Horseback Ride Along the Beach
Prancing Pony Horseback Center is based right on the beach and offers rides starting at around US$65, a fun way to see the coast from a different angle.
Hike Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
A short drive south brings you to Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, a 740-hectare protected area within Manzanillo National Park. It packs in jungle, swamps, beach, and coral reef, with trails through the forest and the option of a canopy tour for a higher vantage point.
Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
Just up the road in Puerto Viejo, the Jaguar Rescue Center is one of Costa Rica’s best wildlife rescue operations, rehabilitating birds, snakes, monkeys, sloths, and (occasionally) jaguars. Tours run on a set schedule and are well worth an hour or two.
Other Limón Beaches Nearby
Playa Chiquita is part of a stretch of beautiful Caribbean beaches that are easy to combine in one trip:
- Playa Cocles – the surf beach of the area, just west toward Puerto Viejo. Bigger waves, more energy, and a lifeguard on duty in season.
- Punta Uva – the showstopper just east of Playa Chiquita, with calm turquoise water and a small rocky headland for shade and snorkelling.
- Playa Manzanillo – at the end of the road, inside the wildlife refuge. Quiet, with great snorkelling on calm days.
- Playa Negra (Puerto Viejo) – the distinctive black-sand beach right in town, walking distance from the centre.
- Cahuita National Park beach – about 30 minutes north, with a coastal trail and one of Costa Rica’s best coral reefs offshore.
Playa Chiquita FAQ
Where is Playa Chiquita?
Playa Chiquita is on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast in Limón province, about 6 km east of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, between Playa Cocles and Punta Uva.
Is Playa Chiquita safe?
Yes, Playa Chiquita is one of the calmer and safer beaches on the Caribbean coast, with a gentle current and a Bandera Azul rating for water quality. There are no lifeguards, so keep an eye on children and follow standard beach common sense. For the broader area, see our guide to whether Costa Rica is safe to visit.
Can you swim at Playa Chiquita?
Yes. The water is usually calm and the shore stays uncrowded. Swim with care since there are no lifeguards on duty.
Can you surf at Playa Chiquita?
The waves here are generally smaller than at neighbouring Playa Cocles, but at low tide there can be fun, hollow waves. For lessons, Playa Chiquita Surf School is the local option.
Is Playa Chiquita family-friendly?
Yes. The calm water, light current, and quiet sand make it a good family beach, with horseback riding, snorkelling, and easy nature walks nearby.
READ NEXT: The Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Where to Stay near Playa Chiquita
There are not many hotels right on the sand, but there are good options along the beach access road and in the nearby villages.
Casa Mariposa
Casa Mariposa is one of the closer stays to the beach, just across the access road and within walking distance of local restaurants and shops. The open-plan house has two private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, laundry, garden views, and free Wi-Fi.
Caribbean Courtyard Villa
A 10-minute walk from Playa Chiquita in Punta Uva, Caribbean Courtyard offers five luxury villas with a private pool, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, and a sustainable build that uses solar and water-efficient systems.
Where to Eat near Playa Chiquita
Pura Gula Restaurant
A rustic, romantic spot serving Mediterranean and fusion dishes with strong seafood, sourced from local fishermen. Try the ceviche, garlic shrimp, or seared tuna. Open Wednesday to Monday, 5pm to 10pm.
El Sol de Caribe
El Sol de Caribe is a relaxed roadside restaurant serving Caribbean and Costa Rican classics. Try the Caribbean chicken or the red snapper.
The Pelican Pub & Cafe
The Pelican Pub & Cafe has quality wines, draft beers, and cocktails alongside an international menu, with comfort food like wings, burgers (including vegetarian options), and steak, plus solid vegan dishes.
Final Thoughts
Playa Chiquita is one of those beaches that rewards you for not heading to the obvious choice. It is calm, clean, and easy to combine with the other Caribbean-side beaches and the wildlife around Gandoca-Manzanillo. Pair it with a few days in Puerto Viejo and an itinerary that crosses Costa Rica, and the Caribbean side feels like a completely different country to the Pacific.
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