Hidden down a rugged jungle trail, deep in the heart of Manuel Antonio, visitors will find a beautiful protected cove that harbors some of the area's most pristine beaches. Playa Biesanz is one of our top 3 beaches in the Manuel Antonio area and a great beach for calmer waters and beautiful views. This small cove beach isn't super easy to get to but for those who make the journey, it is well worth the trip.
Arriving at the entrance to the trailhead, visitors are normally met by street parking guards who pledge to guard vehicles for a couple thousand colones. While these guys are not official government employees, they can be trusted to keep an eye on your car, and it becomes your decision if you want to support their cause. These car attendants depend on your good graces and can absolutely be trusted to protect your vehicle from theft and damage.
From the parking area, Playa Biesanz is just a short hike away. This beach is the best beach in the area for snorkeling. Rent or bring your own snorkel and fins and swim out to a rocky area off the coast where visibility is best and fish are prevalent. This area will usually be marked by tour boats that bring their guests to snorkel here. You can typically rent a kayak and snorkel gear by the hour from locals on the beach. If you decide to swim out to the rocky snorkel area, be sure to have a life jacket as the swim is further than it looks. This is the best beach for small children and calm waters as it is a protected cove with small waves.
To reach Playa Biesanz by public transport you can go to the Quepos bus station and take the bus that goes to Manuel Antonio National Park. The stop is at Agua Azul, but you can also ask the driver to tell you where to get off for Playa Biesanz. Costa Rica benefits a lot from tourism and people are always happy to help. When getting off the bus, you can either hike for 25 minutes or take a taxi to the beach, which will cost around two thousand colones. When I took the bus to Playa Biesanz, I used google maps to track where I was so that I could be sure to get off the bus at the correct location.
If you are traveling with a car, you can drive 20 minutes straight to Playa Biesanz and park your car on the main road just in front of the entrance of the beach.
Once you take the forest entrance and walk about 8 minutes down a rocky path, you will find this calm and beautiful beach surrounded by green landscapes and wildlife. There are no restaurants in the area, but at the beach, you could find locals selling hot dogs and other small bites. At times, there are also drinks available for purchase, like coconuts, water, and beers. Despite being secluded and smaller than other beaches, this beach attracts enough people for vendors to invest their time there. If you are looking to hike around this beach, check out our blog about the Reto Mae Hike. The Reto Mae trail can end or start at Playa Biesanz and is one of the best hikes in the area.