Colonia Beach, Sandy beach in Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica
Colonia Beach extends along the Pacific coast with smooth breaking waves, a sandy bottom, and mountains rising in the background.
The integration of Colonia Beach into Marino Ballena National Park in 1989 marked its transformation into a protected marine conservation area.
Local surfers maintain an active presence at Colonia Beach, sharing their knowledge of wave patterns with newcomers to the sport.
Visitors can access camping facilities with full services directly on the beach, including showers for after-swim convenience.
The beach maintains low visitor numbers throughout the year, creating natural spaces for both beginner and advanced surfers to practice.
Location: Bahía Ballena
GPS coordinates: 9.15216,-83.74212
Latest update: March 4, 2025 01:10
Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose near-perfect cone rises 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) above surrounding rainforest, and Monteverde Cloud Forest, where mist drifts through canopy vegetation supporting rare species such as the resplendent quetzal. Rio Celeste flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park, displaying its characteristic turquoise color from volcanic minerals, while Tabacon Hot Springs delivers naturally heated water from underground sources. Coastal regions present diverse subjects, from the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park, where white-faced capuchin monkeys move through trees, to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast with its coral reefs. The Nicoya Peninsula and Papagayo Peninsula provide access to Tamarindo Beach and Santa Teresa Beach, while the southern zone includes Marino Ballena National Park, named for its whale-shaped sandbar visible at low tide. Tortuga Island, off the coast of Puntarenas, serves as a day-trip destination. Inland, San Jose Central Market documents daily commerce, the National Theater displays neoclassical architecture from 1897, and Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian ruins. Cerro Chirripó rises to 12,533 feet (3,820 meters) as the country's highest point, offering views of both oceans in clear conditions.
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