Playa Penca

The beach is quite lovely, although it is on the smaller side. It conveniently offers free access right next to the hotel, which is currently undergoing construction. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid sitting under the manzanillo trees, as they have the potential to cause sunburn.

I'm having a hard time deciding what rating to give. The beach is absolutely beautiful, with a clean shoreline and stunning scenery. However, the presence of the hotel complex being constructed there detracts from the experience of the pristine beach. There's no doubt that it will eventually become a wonderful resort, but this is the price we pay for tourism development. In terms of getting there, we drove all the way down to where the path begins. We had no issues at all with our small Hyundai Venue, which has 2WD and automatic transmission. An SUV or 4WD is definitely not necessary. Even after heavy rains and a muddy path, we had no problems whatsoever. As the saying goes, "Kdo se bojí, sere v síni."

I would rate this beach with three stars because of the ongoing construction and habitat destruction, which is quite disheartening to witness. However, apart from that, it remains a stunning location with crystal-clear water and excellent snorkeling opportunities. It is advisable to have a 4x4 vehicle as the beach may not be easily accessible to everyone. Additionally, please exercise caution as the stairs are not secure.

We absolutely adored this beach! It's absolutely amazing, with crystal-clear water and some rocks along the edges that are perfect for snorkeling. The fish watching experience was mind-blowing. We spotted various types of fish, starfish, and even a sea snake. The beach itself offers plenty of shaded areas and boasts fine white sand. To top it off, there was a local Tico making refreshing pina coladas with freshly shaved ice and crushed pineapple. However, there is currently a massive hotel construction taking place right on the beach. I really hope that the beach and snorkeling area will be preserved, but it will definitely lose its authentic local vibe. I highly recommend visiting before it becomes a mainstream destination. Just keep in mind that you'll have to drive through the construction to reach it.

We got to the beach at around 9 am and had the pleasure of enjoying this incredible spot with just two other individuals. We decided to rent a small Chevrolet, which handled the dirt road perfectly fine with the three of us inside. To get to the beach, there is a steep path from the parking area that can be managed in flip flops, although it's easier with trainers. The rocky areas at both ends of the beach offer excellent opportunities for snorkeling.