Playa Lagarto, Sand beach in Cuajiniquil, Costa Rica.
Playa Lagarto is a sand beach on the Pacific coast with dark sand bordered by palm trees and volcanic rocks that form natural tide pools. The strand stretches along the shoreline with rock formations dividing the water into several small basins.
The area around Playa Lagarto developed from a small fishing settlement in the 1950s to a protected nature reserve by 2000. This transformation reflected growing efforts to protect coastal ecosystems.
Local fishermen use traditional methods, launching small boats directly from the sand to catch snapper and grouper.
The beach is accessible year-round, with the dry season from December to April offering the best swimming conditions. Visitors should bring water and expect rougher waves during the summer months.
The surrounding 450-hectare nature reserve features mountain paths leading to several observation points overlooking the Pacific Ocean. These trails connect the beach experience with opportunities to see the forest and ocean landscape from higher vantage points.
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