Around Punta Islita, Costa Rica Pacific
From San Miguel to Punta Islita and on to Samara, Carrillo
The 33 km between San Miguel and Carrillo /Samara is sparsely settled and largely undeveloped with friendly locals scattered in tiny hamlets. It's the ideal vacation spot for those who crave to get away from it all and find the real untouristy deal.
Crowds of pelicans waiting for fish in a local port
The area is steeped in tranquility with a couple of beautiful beaches where your footprints in the sand might be the only
ones for miles.
At the estuary of the Rio Bejuco a lagoon has formed where you can always see crowds of pelicans and wood storks. You can
buy fish from the local fishermen or, if you prefer, catch your own by chartering a panga boat.
The tide pools of Playa Bejuco
If you were dreaming of a beach all to yourself Playa Bejuco is for you. There are no
houses on the beach and most of the time no people.
Around low tide big sandy tide pools form at the edge of the ocean. You can wallow in the warm
waters and swim in the shallows with the surf pounding at your side.
Jungle touching the ocean
Near Corozalito is a landing strip for small aircraft, serving flights to San José.
The beach here is another great and deserted stretch of shoreline.
Shortly after Corozalito the road steepens and winds uphill in hairpin bends through lush
jungle. The top of the hill affords breathtaking views of the entire coast until Mal Pais and Cabo Blanco.
The halfmoon bay of Islita
Looking north you see a perfect horseshoe bay which is tipped by a rocky cliff: Punta Islita.
The protected bay of Islita is perfect for swimming.
Driving downhill you arrive at the village of Islita. In 1994 the luxury resort of Punta Islita
was opened and the hotel did more than providing only jobs: residents could participate in classes of English, computer skills
and arts. Creativeness and personal development was encouraged and the results are visible:
the community of Islita is tidy and relatively wealthy, and the village cheerfully adorned with
naive paintings and mosaics.
Playa Camaronal with turtle hatching station
From Punta Islita it is only 11 kms until you will reach the paved road between Hojancha and Samara. The drive takes you through gently rolling land with no settlements.
A small track leads down to the pristine beach of Camaronal. The 4.6 km stretch of beach which runs into the estuary of the Rio Ora is a protected wildlife reserve where leatherback, olive ridley, caret, and black sea turtles dig their eggs into the sand. There is a ranger station and rancho serving simple meals and beverages, as well as a camping site.
Among surfers Camaronal is also known for a good beach break. Surf trips can be made from nearby Samara.
See also: Map of the Area with Road Information