Manzanillo, Costa Rica

• Description of Manzanillo
• Santa Teresa Area Map
• Road Map to Playa Coyote
• Rio Bongo

Driving from Manzanillo to Playa Coyote:

The coastal road from Malpais and Santa Teresa ends in Manzanillo. If you wish to continue north to Samara, Nosara and Tamarindo, you must turn right in Manzanillo and drive uphill. After 4 km you arrive at a T-intersection with a big mango tree on your left. This is Betel where you take the road to your left towards Bajos de Ario.

Crossing the Rio Ario in dry season

For much of the year this road is in bad condition and only passable with a high-clearance 4WD to tackle grades with gaping chasms, and to ford the three rivers. In rainy season it is often impossible to drive this road.

When crossing a river remember that most times the shallow crossing is a curve direction downriver. Your car can drown if you go straight across. Check the river by foot before you ford, or wait until locals come and show you the way.
Signs indicating directions are scarce and confusing. Make sure you have filled up on gas. The only gas stations in the area are in San Francisco de Coyote and in Cobano.

Before leaving, ask the locals about current road conditions. If you are in doubt, better turn right at Betel and drive to Cobano, then to Paquera from where you continue north along the Gulf of Nicoya.
See » From Naranjo to Paquera.