Playa Carlos Rosario

It's a fantastic place to avoid the crowds at Flamenco Beach, especially if the winds and waves there are too strong. It may not be the best spot for snorkeling, unless you're in a boat. I personally swam all around the bay from the beach, including the Wall, but the coral wasn't very impressive as most of it was bleached. However, it's a wonderful hidden gem of a beach. We arrived at 8am and had the entire beach to ourselves for more than 3.5 hours.

The beach is quite lovely, especially during sunset. However, getting there can be a bit challenging as it requires a 20-30 minute walk from Framenco beach. It's important to note that this beach is not accessible by car.

The trail to Flamenco Beach begins at the entry booth. Walk along the outside of the parking lot fence until you come across a tsunami zone sign and a gate secured with a chain. Pass through the gate and follow the narrow path for approximately 25 minutes. The incline is not too steep, but be prepared for your bare legs to brush against various plants. The reward for your efforts? The opportunity to observe rays, turtles, fish, and corals. It's truly fantastic. The reef is conveniently located just 20 to 50 feet from the shore, so there's no need to venture further out unless you're searching for turtles and rays in the sea grass. For more information on where to access the reef, refer to other reviews.

The beach was absolutely stunning. We had the opportunity to explore without disturbing the reef. The snorkeling and diving were absolutely incredible. We were able to witness the breathtaking sight of the reef and fish 40 feet below the surface. Opting for a guided tour enhanced the overall experience. Shout out to the East Island excursion for an amazing time!

The beach can be accessed from the parking area at Flamenco Beach. To reach it, you need to go under the chained gate and follow the narrow path that goes up and over, crossing this part of the island. The path has been cleared of any explosive devices, but the surrounding area may not have been, so it's important to stay on the path. It's advisable to bring only necessary items and wear comfortable shoes (flip flops are not recommended). After a hot and challenging 20-minute hike along a narrow path with shrubs that may scratch you, you will be rewarded with a small, rocky beach area that offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. The path ends at Carlos Rosario. If you take any of the small paths to the left, you will come across Tamarindo Grande (not to be confused with Tamarindo). Alternatively, if you prefer not to walk, you can also opt for a snorkel boat tour. For snorkelers, if you head all the way to the right, you will find a wall or shelf where some large fish hide under ledges, and the visibility is decent. However, the main attraction is located before that. Walk towards the right, where the rocky area meets the sand, and then swim straight towards the white buoy. On your left, you will encounter unimpressive coral with poor visibility. Once you swim far enough out, turn left, and you will find deeper water with soft coral and plenty of fish leisurely swimming around (I suspect the tour boats feed them). We also had the opportunity to spot jellyfish and two rays, one of which was a stunning, large spotted eagleray.