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La Playita (Playa Playitas)

Google (26) 3.4

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What reviewers say

Visitors praise Playita Escondida for its beautiful, long stretch of beach suitable for hiking or horseback riding, and offer nice sunset views. However, multiple reviewers state that private beaches are illegal in Costa Rica, and that this location is in violation of the law, though some acknowledge its geography makes it difficult to access for the public.

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GayOut Score

G3.4

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Quepos

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About this place La Playita (Playa Playitas)

La Playita, also written Playa Playitas, is a small cove just past the far end of Playa Espadilla in Manuel Antonio. It has been the gay beach on this stretch of coast for decades, and both local and visiting queer crowds use it. To get there, you walk to the end of Espadilla and climb over the rocky point into the next cove. It used to be clothing-optional. After a hotel was built above the cove in the 2010s, nudity has been discouraged, and public nudity is illegal in Costa Rica, so treat it as a clothed beach. The rock crossing is only safe around low tide and gets cut off as the tide rises, so check tide times before you go and leave with time to spare. There are no facilities, so bring water and shade.

Features

Gay LGBTQ+ Mixed LGBTQ+ Day venue Nudist allowed Cruising area Secluded Hard to reach

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Google Reviews

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3.4

★★★☆☆

26 reviews

Based on 26 Google reviews.

Natalie Villalobos Jul 2026

★☆☆☆☆

Mario Porras Jul 2026

★★★★★

Adrian Jimenez Jul 2026

★★★★★

Joe Hochberg Mar 2026

★☆☆☆☆

Kevin Markman Mar 2026

★★★★☆

Great long stretch of beach for hiking or horseback riding. Nice sunset at the overlook.

Cinthya María Rodríguez Cambronero Mar 2026

★★★★☆

The marina was beautiful, the monkeys were funny, we even saw a coati. The sunset was gorgeous 💕

AC Feb 2026

★★★★★

That is true, all beaches in Costa Rica are by law public. HOWEVER, due to its geography Playa Escondida, Puntaranas is bordered on both sides by high, rocky points which for all intents and purposes seal it off to the public. There are only two ways into Playa Escondida. The first would be by boat, and the second by a private, gated, guarded road that is accessible only to those who have homes in the private community located there. The road is closed to the General Public because the Concession there is designated as agricultural,not a tourist Concession therefore the road is private and can be closed to the public. So if you want in you’ll need to be the disclosed guest of a home owner or Consessionee, or rent a boat to drop you off there.