Playa Mantas: A Relaxing Getaway Near San José

Just two hours from San José, this beach is perfect for a quick escape or a stop on the way to Jacó, Manuel Antonio, or Uvita. The calm waters and soft sand make it perfect for families, you can even see manta rays around you in the water. Beside this, if you visit during low tide, you can walk to Playa Blanca, a beautiful beach right next to it. Playa Mantas is a great place to enjoy the coast without having to go too far from the city, no matter if you are going to spend the whole day or just a few hours.

Getting there

By Public Transportation

There is no direct bus from San José or Guanacaste to Playa Mantas. The best way to get there is by taking a bus to Jacó or Quepos and get off at the Quebrada Ganado / Punta Leona stop on Route 34.

You would have to take a taxi or a rideshare (Uber or Didi)  from there since it is approximately 5km from the main road to the beach and walking is not advised because of the distance as well as the absence of sidewalks.

One can also choose to take a taxi or any other rideshare service from the starting point. The cost of the transportation is flexible and begins at $150 from San José, $260 from Guanacaste, and $15 from Jacó. The main advantage of this method is that it is more convenient, especially when traveling with friends or carrying stuff, even though it is more expensive than the bus.

By Car

The distance from San José to Playa Mantas is approximately 90 km and the travel time is approximately 2 hours. The most direct way is through Highway 27 and then to Route 34 known as Costanera Sur. The roads are rather good but the traffic is rather heavy especially during certain times of the day and year. Weekends and holidays are quite busy so if you don’t want to be stuck in traffic, it is advisable to set out early in the morning.

From Guanacaste, you can expect a longer drive. The distance from Liberia is 187 km and you will be on the Interamerican Highway (Route 1) before you turn right to route 27 and then to route 34, that will take you close to Playa Mantas. Some parts of this highway can be under construction so you might want to watch out for possible delays.

The entrance to the public road to Playa Mantas is located in the Quebrada Ganado area, 25 meters from a seafood restaurant called Ricuras del Mar. The road is partially gravel but 4×4 vehicle is not required. Just before the residential area and hotels, the road turns to pavement.

About the Parking

It is approximately 600 meters from the main traffic circle. There are two options: a car park owned by Punta Leona Hotel and another one is a small car park filled with gravel, near the beach.

The one operated by the Punta Leona Hotel is open to the public from Monday to Thursday at a cost of ¢20,000 per day. This fee includes the use of the bathrooms and showers. This lot is only available for hotel guests on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The cost of using the showers and restrooms if you don’t use this parking is ¢1,000 per use, per person.

The other parking is on a gravel road, and it is small and can be filled up on weekends, leading to the beach. So, it is advisable to park your car before 8 a.m. to get a spot. There is always a local person monitoring the cars and and payment for his service is voluntary.

Another way is to use a private parking, which is located near the condominiums. They charge ¢8,000 – ¢10,000 for a car and give an option of a shuttle service between the car park and the beach, which can be quite helpful if the other car parks are fully occupied.

Access to the Beach

You can reach Playa Mantas through the Punta Leona Hotel  or by using the public road. 

Guests of the hotel or guests of hotel-owned properties (some of them) have immediate access. Yet, it isn’t necessary to book an overnight stay as the hotel provides day pass access. With your day pass, you can access facilities from 7:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening and enjoy breakfast and lunch buffets. The rate is $85 per adult guest and $42.50 for children between the ages of 6 and 11.   And a reservation is required 24 hrs. in advance. The hotel entrance can be found at Route 34; the road to it is paved and lined with forest on both sides.

If you decide to use the public entrance, the entrance is located 25 meters from the seafood restaurant Ricuras del Mar.  The path begins as a dirt path but a 4×4 vehicle is not necessary. As you near residential areas and hotels the road turns paved. Parking lots are located about 600 meters from traffic circle. It takes approximately three minutes to reach the shore from the parking lots.

Things to do at Playa Mantas

Visit Playa Blanca

Just 500 mts down the shore southerly from the car parks of Playa Mantas, you’ll find  a beautiful white sand beach called Playa Blanca. To reach it, you have to walk through the rocky path on the southern part of Playa Mantas. Two ways to access the beach:  one has stairs and the other is a longer, easier route. It is therefore recommended to check the tide times before going as the path is only accessible at low tide.

This beach is one of my favorites in the Pacific. . It has a lot of shade from the trees, white sand and blue water which is clear enough for a snorkeling session. You can also check out several small caves located along the path to Playa Blanca as you make your way across.

Snorkeling

Playa Mantas is a good place for snorkeling, particularly on the northern side by the rocks. At times the water is rather murky, but if you turn up when the water is clearer you will be able to see a variety of fish and may even be privileged enough to see mantas swimming past you.

If you choose to go to Playa Blanca, you can also do some snorkeling there. The Punta Leona Hotel and Club and several conservation groups, have worked for years on projects to protect and restore marine life. They have created an artificial reef and a small underwater museum.

Stand Up Paddle

If you want to try in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), you can find rental options at Playa Mantas, where prices may vary depending on the season and the type of rental you choose to go for. Some rentals even offer guided tours that lead you to discover Play Blanca and Playa Limoncito. This option proves to be a choice for those seeking an experience exploring the waters and admiring the scenic coastline views from a different perspective.

Boat Tours

Locals in Playa Mantas provide guided boat excursions to neighboring beaches such as Play Blanca and Playa Limoncito at a cost of $8 to $10 per person for each hour of the journey, a budget option, for discovering the coastlines beauty and accessing additional beaches effortlessly.

When you join these tours organized by locals remember that the availability might differ so its advisable to inquire upon your arrival. Some boat operators might even provide excursions or tailor made routes based you’ll be interested in. Remember to have cash handy as there’s a chance that they won’t take card payments.

Observed Wildlife

At Playa Mantas and its vicinity live a range of creatures such, as monkeys, raccoons and iguanas well as various types of birds including vibrant red macaws. You can see some of them wandering around if you walk near the trees or if you are paying attention to your surroundings while you are relaxing on the beach. The macaws stand out with their striking plumage and distinctive calls making them easily identifiable among the wildlife, in the area.

When you’re in the water snorkeling or swimming keep an eye out for fish and mantas. During the rainy season, especially between August and November You might catch a glimpse of whales passing by in the area.

Best Time to Go to Playa Mantas

I like to visit at any time of the year, but the best time to go is during the dry season, from December to April. Sometimes during the rainy season (May to November), the tide brings in logs and natural debris from nearby rivers, and the beach may not look very clean. This is not very common but it can happen. I have been there several times during the rainy season, and I have seen it with or without logs. You can see the following photo of the sunset with the beach full of logs, this was taken during the rainy season.

Weekends tend to be very busy with locals going to the beach, and this means a lot of traffic and a fully packed parking area. If you can, it is advisable to steer clear of Monday to Friday as there are not many people around. Another is to stay at the nearby hotel, so you don’t have to worry about most of the weekend traffic.

Tips for visiting Playa Mantas

• Wear water shoes: The shore can have pebbles, shells, and pieces of reef. You might only feel them in the shallow parts. Once you get a little deeper into the water, you won’t feel them.

• Shuffle in the water: Manta rays are common in the area. They are not poisonous, but shuffling your feet helps avoid stepping on them by accident.

• Bring cash: You may need it for the voluntary parking fee, boat tours, or snacks like Copos (snow cone) sold on the beach.

• Find shade: The north and south areas of the beach usually have more shade from trees. The central part tends to be busier, and shade is limited.

• Pack what you need: There’s only a small converted container store on the beach but it doesn’t always have everything you might need. 

• Gear up: Pack a small backpack with towels, a blanket for the sand, snacks, drinks, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. If you plan to snorkel, bring your own equipment, as rentals aren’t available.

• Use repellent: Mosquitoes are more active in the evenings during rainy season, so it’s best to be prepared.

Playa Mantas Tourist Map