Playa Camaronal to Manzanillo

The extreme southwest shore of the Nicoya Peninsula [1] is one of the most remote coastal strips in Costa Rica [2]. The beaches are beautiful and the scenery at times sublime, though the driving is tricky.

Immediately south of [node"25955 link Carrillo], the Río Ora is an unbridged obstacle to reaching Playa Camaronal [3]. The paved road turns inland and begins to snake up into the mountains for Santa Marta (and beyond, Hojancha), where you turn south to cross the river (by bridge) and follow the signs for Punta Islita to return to Playa Camaronal.

Depending on weather conditions, the unpaved coast road south from here can deteriorate to a mere trail in places. In the words of the old spiritual, there are many rivers to cross. The route can thwart even the hardiest 4WD vehicle in wet season, or after prolonged rains in dry season. For those who thrill to adventure, it’s a helluva lot of fun.

Do not attempt the section south of Camaronal by ordinary sedan or at night, and especially not in wet season unless it’s unusually dry—many tourists have had to have their vehicles hauled out of rivers that proved impossible to ford.