Pedasí is only a couple of kilometers from the ocean, and its beaches are easily accessible. Here’s a sampling of the better options.

Playa Arenal is three kilometers east of town on a good road. To get there, follow the road behind the gas station that leads past the CEFATI. Arenal is absolutely massive. You have to take a short hike across the sand just to get to the water, and it stretches along the coast farther than the eye can see. Fisherfolk anchor their boats here, but there’s more than enough beach and surf to go around.

My favorite beach in the area is Playa Los Destiladeros, 10 kilometers south of town. Head south down the main road through town until you get to Limón, three kilometers away. The turn will be on the left.

When that road forks, take the right fork. The road dead-ends at Los Destiladeros, seven kilometers away. It’s a wide brown beach with a great view. Locals don’t tend to come here since there are no facilities or shade, but it’s shaping up to be the main tourist beach. There are a couple of little beach hotels, and major construction on the French-owned real-estate development. A trip to Los Destiladeros should run US$5.