Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

Playa Las Manchas photos

Playa Las Manchas fast facts

• English name: Las Manchas Beach
• Distance from San Jose: 305km (approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes)
• Closest town: Montezuma (small town)
• Beach status: Public beach

Playa Las Manchas beach details

Sand, shade, scenery, and unique features

Playa Las Manchas is a small beach with soft sand that’s nearly white in some areas and pink-hued in others. Offshore, the water is light blue and turquoise in places. A collection of tide pools among rocky outcroppings provide opportunities for snorkeling. Though the beach is rocky in places, smooth areas are idyllic spots for sunbathing and picnicking.

Crowds and noise

Playa Las Manchas receives a small but steady number of visitors because it’s the best beach in the Montezuma area. Playa Las Manchas is a small beach, though, so unfortunately it can feel busy when there are only a few visitors, and especially so on weekends and holidays when locals sprawl out on the beach. For the most part, people come to Playa Las Manchas to relax in solitude, so noise is generally kept to a minimum.

Cleanliness and Ecological Blue Flag rating

Costa Rica’s Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica (Ecological Blue Flag Program) promotes sustainability and public health. Every year, beaches in Costa Rica strive for top honors, which are bestowed annually according to strict ecological criteria. Beaches that participate in the program and meet 90-100% of the eligibility criteria achieve a 1-star rating. Further efforts invite beaches to earn additional stars (5 stars is the highest rating), including special colored stars. (To learn more about the program and discover what each blue flag rating means, see our related blog post: Award-Winning Blue Flag Beaches In Costa Rica: Photos & Map; Most-Recent Winners.)

Playa Las Manchas is not currently participating in the Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica. Therefore, it does not have a star rating.

Development at Playa Las Manchas

Hotels, restaurants, tours, bathrooms, etc.

There is no commercial development at Playa Las Manchas, but a handful of accommodations are spread out along the road that connects the beach to Montezuma center (Road 624).

Playa Las Manchas safety

Swimming and water safety

Swimming is allowed at Playa Las Manchas. However, the beach has a known rip current. As always, exercise caution in and around the water, especially if you plan to visit with children or inexperienced swimmers.

General safety

Never bring items of value with you to the beach and always keep an eye on your belongings. Remember to lock your rental car if you have one. Do not visit the beach before sunrise or after sunset. If possible, visit the beach as part of a group to avoid being at this remote-feeling beach alone.

Playa Las Manchas location and road conditions

Access to Playa Las Manchas and 4×4 requirement

Playa Las Manchas is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It sits south of the town of Montezuma.

Playa Las Manchas is an approximate 1.5-kilometer, 5-minute drive (or 20-minute walk) south from Montezuma on the road that leads to the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. A 4×4 is recommended to reach Playa Las Manchas.

Map of Playa Las Manchas Costa Rica

Parking at Playa Las Manchas

There is no official parking at Playa Las Manchas. Locals park along the side of the road that backs the beach (Road 624, which travels south out of Montezuma and ends at the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve). Beware: the narrow street gets congested with cars quickly, so there isn’t always room to park.

Best reason(s) to visit Playa Las Manchas

Playa Montezuma, the principal beach that fronts the town of Montezuma, isn’t much to write home about. So, if you plan to station yourself at a hotel in the Montezuma area, and you’re in search of a beautiful beach where you can relax away from crowds, Playa Las Manchas is worth a day trip.

Beach-hopping from Playa Las Manchas (or alternative beach options in the region)

Recommended day trips from Playa Las Manchas include visits to Playa Curu, Playa Quesera, Playa Tropical (Isla Tortuga), and Playa Montezuma.

Not sure which Costa Rica beaches are the best to visit? Let the beaches in this article inspire you:

80+ Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them

Want to learn about Costa Rica’s ecological blug flag beaches? Don’t miss our related blog post:

Award-Winning Blue Flag Beaches In Costa Rica (Photos & Map; Most-Recent Winners)

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you been to Playa Las Manchas? What did you think?

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