Playa Coyote is one of those beaches that people want to keep a secret. A true tropical paradise, Playa Coyote is not only off the beaten track, but its remote location means it has managed to remain relatively secluded, pristine, and underdeveloped.
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Located on the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Playa Coyote is right next door to Playa San Miguel. While accessible off a main road, it’s surrounded by untouched wilderness with forested mountains and hills in the distance. The picturesque beach is split by the mangrove estuary of Rio Jabillo at the southern end, making it a completely unique natural landscape.
With the warm water of the Pacific Coast and very few visitors, Playa Coyote is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste Province. Here’s everything you need to know if you plan to visit.
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How to Get to Playa Coyote
By Car
From San Jose Airport, the most convenient way to reach the beach is by driving. It is 250 km or 4.5 hours from San Jose to Playa Coyote. Otherwise, Playa Coyote is only 35 km or 1.5 hours from Santa Teresa, a major town on the west coast of Nicoya Peninsula. You can also catch a ferry from Puntarenas City to Paquera and then drive to Playa Coyote from there.
Divided by the Rio Jabillo, you have to travel back to San Francisco de Coyote to get from the northern to the southern beach or vice versa. San Francisco de Coyote is the closest main town to the beach and is just 4 km inland.
While both ends of the beach are easily accessed on the sealed Route 160, the tracks leading directly to the sand are dirt and can be washed out or rough during the rainy season. While a 4×4 is not necessary in the dry season, it’s recommended in the wet season.
By Bus/Shuttle
You can take local transportation to reach Playa Coyote, sometimes referred to as Costa de Oro. There is a twice-daily bus operated by Transportes ARSA to the nearest town of San Francisco de Coyote: 6 AM and 3:30 PM which takes around 5 hours. But you would have to confirm these times in the rainy season, as the schedule may be less frequent.
Parking at Playa Coyote
You can park at any of the entrances to the beach, with several different tracks along the northern end of the beach offering various access points or parking is also available at the picnic and camping area at the southern end of the beach.
Parking is not guarded so be careful leaving any valuables in your vehicle.
Facilities at Playa Coyote
While the beach feels a little deserted, you’ll find some basic facilities. The northern stretch of sand has a few beachfront restaurants and vacation rentals, which offer a respite from the sun and bathroom facilities.
On the southern end often called Punta Coyote, there’s a park and camping area with picnic tables and bathrooms for a fee. The beach is also backed with palm trees offering some natural shade from the sun.
The small village of San Francisco de Coyote back from the beach has small hotels, a few restaurants, shops, a grocery store, and a gas station.
Things to Do at Playa Coyote
You can simply enjoy the seclusion of this beach, but there are still plenty of things to do to keep you busy for a day.
Walking Along the Beach
The long stretch of sand, especially in the northern part of Playa Coyote, offers a perfect place for a relaxing walk along the Pacific Ocean. You’ll likely have it all to yourself as you explore the shoreline with very few tourists. Be careful at high tide, but generally, there’s plenty of sand left to walk along.
Explore the Mangroves
If you head to the south end, you’ll find the river mouth or estuary of Rio Jabillo. Home to an abundance of wildlife, you can safely explore on foot as you might spot howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, snakes, vultures, pelicans, and maybe even flamingos and frigates.
However, be careful of disturbing the wildlife or destroying the mangroves, as it’s an important habitat for birds and land-based animals.
Surfing at Punta Coyote
While not known as a surf beach, you’ll still find big waves at Playa Coyote, Costa Rica. The strong currents of the Pacific Ocean and the exposed coast make for some big swells when the weather is right. Most surfers head to the southern end of the beach called Punta Coyote for the best breaks.
There are no facilities or surf schools nearby, so ensure you’re self-sufficient and a confident surfer before jumping into the water.
Camp Under the Stars
At the south end of the beach across the estuary, you’ll find a basic camping area with toilets and showers available and a restaurant. With beachfront views and a lovely owner who will make your stay enjoyable, it’s a great place to camp out for the night, listening to the crashing waves and monkeys in the trees.
Don’t expect luxury, as you’ll need to bring your own camping equipment and supplies. However, it does have a restaurant offering delicious seafood meals and drinks overlooking Coyote Beach.
Watch the Sunset
Being on the Pacific Ocean coast, Playa Coyote is one of the best beaches for watching the sunset. Take a walk along the sand or sit back with a drink at one of the beachfront restaurants.
If you find yourself on the southern part of the beach, you can head up to a little viewpoint accessed through the camping area and up onto the headland. This little secret mirador offers views over the bay of Playa San Miguel and Playa Caletas on the other side, with particularly great sunsets.
FAQs:
Can you Swim at Playa Coyote?
At low tide, you can certainly splash about in the shallow water along the beach. The water is lovely and warm, making it an inviting swimming spot. However, beware of the rip currents and big waves taking you by surprise, as the Pacific Ocean can be a wild beast. There’s no lifeguard service.
Can you Fish at Playa Coyote?
Playa Coyote is not a known fishing spot, but you can certainly try your luck, especially off the headland in the south. Otherwise, other beaches further north are known for better fishing, such as Playa Bejuco.
Can you Surf at Playa Coyote?
Yes, Playa Coyote has some pretty decent surf when the swell builds up. While it’s not known as Costa Rica’s premier surfing area, you will find big waves off the headland at the south of the beach. However, it’s recommended for experienced or confident surfers only, as it’s not an overly popular spot.
Is Playa Coyote Safe for Families?
Playa Coyote is a wonderful place to bring the whole family. It’s a tranquil setting with very few people around and a long stretch of sand for everyone to relax and play. However, there are limited facilities and no lifeguard service, so ensure you watch your little ones carefully.
Where to Stay near Playa Coyote
Mid Range/Budget Hotel:
Alouatta Playa Coyote – a great budget-friendly accommodation just back from the beach, this campground and hostel is one of the best places to stay in the area for those traveling around Costa Rica with a camping setup. With private rooms, glamping tents, and camping sites for rooftop campers, vans, and tents, there’s something for different budgets. They also offer a shared kitchen, bar, spacious garden, free parking, and a tour desk with plenty of opportunities for day trips.
Luxury Hotel:
Casa Caletas Boutique Hotel – Overlooking the estuary above Playa Coyote, this beautiful little boutique hotel is the perfect escape. With queen and king rooms, as well as larger villas, they offer accommodation for everyone. The highlight of the property is the infinity pool looking straight out to sea with incredible sunset views. They also have an onsite restaurant and bar, and can arrange a wide variety of activities including kayaking and horseback riding on the beach.
Where to Eat: Best Restaurants near Playa Coyote
El Barco Restaurante
Located right in the middle of the long beach, this beachfront restaurant is one of the best places to grab a bite to eat after a day in the water. The restaurant has plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, surrounded by palms. You’ll find a range of local food from tacos to ceviche and coconut rice on the menu. It’s an ideal spot to be for sunset too, when you can enjoy a cocktail and look out to sea.
Soda Marlene
A small non-fuss eatery in the village of San Francisco de Coyote, it’s a nice place to grab a cheap bite to eat. However, you won’t be disappointed by the large serving sizes and fresh seafood, including crab, fish, and prawns.
Restaurante Rio’s
A very popular local restaurant in town, this place offers some more Western comfort foods such as pizza and fried chicken and fries. Fresh seafood is also on the menu depending on availability, and all for very affordable prices.
The Bottom Line
A little slice of paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Coyote is an underrated gem on the Pacific coast. While not a popular spot, it has great surf, plenty of wildlife, a long, quiet stretch of sand, and very little development. Add it to your list while road-tripping around Guanacaste Province.
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