Playa Nacascolo, Pacific beach on Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica
Playa Nacascolo is a crescent-shaped beach along Culebra Bay on the Papagayo Peninsula, featuring tan sand surrounded by tropical dry forest and mangroves at its northern end. The cove provides calm waters and sits within a coastal landscape marked by rocky outcrops and varied vegetation.
The Papagayo Peninsula remained undeveloped until the 1980s, when Costa Rica launched plans to create a tourist destination in Guanacaste Province. This development initiative transformed the region and led to the construction of resorts and infrastructure in the area.
On weekends and holidays, local families gather here for barbecues and games that reflect Costa Rican beach traditions. These gatherings show how the community values time together in this natural setting.
There is no direct public parking at the beach itself, so visitors need to park at Route 253 and use the resort shuttle service to reach the sand. Plan ahead for access and allow time for the shuttle ride to arrive.
White-faced capuchin monkeys and coatis regularly visit the beach area and move freely near sunbathers. These animals are part of the daily rhythm of nature here and give the shore its own wild character.
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