La Playita – Gay Beach Cruising Area

The gay beach at La Playita (Playa Playitas) — reached over the rocks from the north end of Playa Espadilla — has been Manuel Antonio's low-key cruising spot for decades, and the sandy approach on the north end of Espadilla, just before the rock point, is where men tend to gather before crossing. Activity here is long-standing but now discreet and much reduced from its 1990s heyday: since a hotel opened above the cove around 2014 and a nudity ban was enforced, it is mostly eye-contact cruising among a mix of locals and visitors rather than anything overt. Costa Rica has full marriage equality (since 2020) and is one of Latin America's most LGBTQ+-friendly countries, but public sex and public nudity are illegal, so keep it respectful and cover up. SAFETY: daytime only — do not come at night. The rock crossing is only passable at low tide and cuts off for roughly two hours either side of high tide, so check the tide chart and leave in good time. Watch for hidden rocks and strong surf, and leave valuables at your hotel.