Explore Playas de Doña Ana Tourist Rest Stop: Family Beach Fun Near San José
Grab your bathing suit, sunscreen and hat!
The Playas de Doña Ana Tourist Rest Stop is a popular destination thanks to its closeness to San José: it’s just one hour and 15 minutes away and 10 km (6 miles) from Puntarenas.
Make sure to arrive nice and early to enjoy the gazebos with your whole family.
The spot is perfect for the ever-popular mejengas – games of beach soccer – or building sandcastles with the little ones, or simply taking in the sun and working on your tan. However, if you want to get out of the sun, the abundant trees in the area provide plenty of shade. It’s a great environment!
Get your picnic ready!
The rest stop has picnic tables, gazebos, barbecue pits and drinking water.
In addition, you will have access to changing rooms and showers that will allow you to have everything close by without looking for another place.
Visit the rocky beach
Don’t forget that the tourist rest stop has been designed with accessibility in mind, in compliance with Law 7600 on equal opportunity for persons with special needs.
When night falls, you can also admire the aficionados of surfing practicing their art in the waves around Doña Ana’s rest stop, which has a 700 m (0.5 mile) beachfront.
Finally, you can’t leave without visiting the rocks located on the sides of the beach, since you can see the city of Puntarenas from there.
Everything you need to know
- Address: Mouth of the Río Barranca, 10 km (6 miles) from Puntarenas. About an hour and 15 minutes from the capital via Route 27.
- Hours of operation: Seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Price: ₡1,700 for adults (about $2.50), ₡850 for senior citizens (about $1.25) and ₡500 for children (about $0.85).
- Parking: ₡1,500 ($2.55)
- Services: Gazebos, barbecue spots, picnic tables, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, places to store clothing, drinking water taps, parking, exterior lighting, private security. The site follows the provisions of Law No. 7600, on the Equality of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
- Bus service: You can take the San José-Puntarenas bus, which leaves from the terminal located between Avenida 10 and Avenida 12 on Calle 16, Barrio Los Ángeles.
