Hotel Shana
28 suites high on the hillside above Playa Biesanz, with rainforest all around, yoga and Pilates every day, a full spa and a three-bedroom villa with its own infinity pool.
5-starView hotel
Playa Biesanz
Manuel Antonio's quiet cove: a ten-minute jungle trail, monkeys and sloths on the way down, and calm water at the bottom.
- Region
- Central Pacific
- Between Quepos and the park
- Fly into
- SJO
- San José, about 3 hours by private transfer
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Dry season, long sunny days
- The walk
- 10 minutes
- Steep trail, loose pebbles
- Good for
- Swimming
- Calmest at mid tide
The short answer
Playa Biesanz is a small, sheltered beach between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast. You reach it on a ten-minute trail through the forest, where squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys and sloths are regulars. The water is calmest at mid tide, which makes it a good swimming beach for families.
What you will see
A quiet coveFew surfers come here, so the beach stays calm. Bring a picnic and spend the morning.
Monkeys on the trailCentral American squirrel monkeys, capuchins, and howler monkeys you will hear long before you see them.
Two kinds of slothThree-toed sloths in the Cecropia trees along the trail, two-toed sloths in the almond trees by the sand.
Part ofManuel AntonioRainforest, beaches and Manuel Antonio National Park, about 3 hours from San José.See the Manuel Antonio guide
Where to stay nearby
Our favourite hotels around Manuel Antonio. Hotel Shana sits on the hill right above Biesanz.
Hotel Si Como No
Founded in 1992 on 12 acres of jungle, with a family pool and an adults-only pool, a butterfly garden and a 46-seat cinema, and breakfast and a beach shuttle included.
4-starView hotel
Hotel Costa Verde
Pools with Pacific views, 300 metres from the shore, and the famous El Avión bar and restaurant, built around an old Fairchild C-123 plane.
3-starView hotel
Hotel Karahe
Right on the beach, with every room on a path down to the sand, a pool and jacuzzi within earshot of the ocean, and the national park about a 10-minute walk away.
3-starView hotel
Tours our clients book here
Ranked from the Manuel Antonio trips we planned in the last 12 months.
- 01Guided walk in Manuel Antonio National ParkPrivate or shared, 3.5 hours
- 02Catamaran adventure on the PacificShared, 3 ½ hours
- 03Brisa Elegante sailing cruiseShared, 4 hours
How to get to Playa Biesanz
From San José (SJO)about 3 hoursPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
From Monteverdeabout 4 hoursPrivate transfer, our most planned route here
From Arenalabout 5 hoursPrivate transfer down to the Pacific
Good to know
Questions about Playa Biesanz
Where is Playa Biesanz?
On the Central Pacific coast, between the town of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. The trail starts by the road near Hotel Parador.
Is Playa Biesanz good for swimming?
Yes. It is a sheltered cove and the water is calmest at mid tide, which is the best time to go.
Can you snorkel at Playa Biesanz?
Yes. The cove is sheltered and the water is calm, which makes it one of the better snorkeling spots around Manuel Antonio. Go at mid tide and bring your own mask: there are no shops or rentals on the beach.
How hard is the walk down?
About ten minutes, but steep, with loose pebbles. Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops.
Is there parking at Playa Biesanz?
Only along the road above the trail, and cars sit there unattended. The easy way is to be dropped off at the trailhead and collected later, from your hotel or by your driver.
What wildlife will I see?
Squirrel monkeys, capuchins and howler monkeys, plus two-toed and three-toed sloths. The clearings on the trail are the best places to look.
When is the best time to go?
December to April is the dry season, with long sunny days. May to November is the green season: fewer people and the forest at its greenest.
How do I get to Biesanz from the airport?
Fly into San José (SJO). Our private driver meets you at arrivals and it is about 3 hours to Manuel Antonio. Your Specialist plans the drive around your flight.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística