Photos of Playa Las Manchas Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 01:55 pm
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. ❤️️
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clear water at Playa Las Manchasturquoise water at Playa Las Manchassoft sand at Playa Las Manchasnorth end of Playa Las ManchasPlaya Las Manchassouth end of Playa Las Manchassign at Playa Las ManchasNikki and Ricky; enjoying Playa Las Manchastide pools at Playa Las Manchastide pools at Playa Las ManchasPlaya Las Manchas
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 withsoft 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, andyou’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)
Do you have questions about Playa Las Manchas, want to know more about the area surrounding the beach, or need help incorporating a visit to the beach into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Photos of Playa Las Manchas Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection
Description
We provide photos of Playa Las Manchas Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula), plus info about beach features, safety, location, parking, and more!
