BeachFinder app logoBeachFinder180,000+ swim spots worldwide
Back to site
CR · CR

Playa Caletas

Shared BeachFinder spot: compare live conditions, water temperature, wind, UV, waves, currents, amenities and nearby alternatives before you leave.

Type
Beach
Rating
New spot
Flag
Local spot
Lifeguard
Check locally

Live conditions on the site

Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.

Water temp
...
Air temp
...
Feels like
...
UV index
...
Wind
...
Waves
...
Current
...
Parking
...
Shower
...
PMR access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo

Playa Caletas

Playa Caletas stretches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the province of Puntarenas, about 15 kilometers south of Ojochal and 50 kilometers from Uvita. This portion of the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is characterized by a succession of shallow bays bordered by dense tropical vegetation, where the jungle descends to the first sandy stretches. The Pacific Ocean here presents a typical blue-green hue of Central American warm waters, with moderate to strong waves depending on the season. The beach itself offers a more discreet character than its immediate neighbors: Plage CR at 400 meters and Playa Pequeña at 1.3 kilometers show more regular use and more visible facilities. Caletas remains a relatively unadorned coastal stretch, where light sand meets occasional rocky formations typical of this region. The shore gradually slopes towards the water, allowing for easy entry. The general atmosphere remains that of a wild coast, where coconut palms and mangroves frame the swimming area, and where the absence of massive constructions preserves a certain intimacy. No formal tourist facilities are reported on site. The beach does not fly the Blue Flag. Lifeguard supervision is not provided, and access for people with reduced mobility is not developed. Visitors must come self-sufficient, equipped with their own sun protection and hydration supplies. Access is generally via coastal tracks from the nearby localities of Cocalito or Ojochal.

About this spot

Caletas, from the Latin *caleta* meaning small cove, refers to the numerous indentations of the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This region, formed by alluvial deposits and ancient volcanic formations, long escaped major tourist routes, preserving a raw coastal character. Local inhabitants of Puntarenas have maintained these beaches as places for fishing and subsistence rather than vacationing. Even today, Caletas remains a refuge for travelers who hike or drive off-road vehicles along the coastal tracks between Ojochal and Uvita, seeking to stray from the beaten paths of Costa Rican mass tourism.

Updated 5/9/2026

Before you go

Conditions

Compare water temperature, air temperature, feels-like temperature, UV index, wind, waves and currents. Surf-focused data appears when a marine model covers the spot.

Amenities

BeachFinder checks parking, showers, toilets, accessible places and restaurants around the spot with OpenStreetMap and shows them in the counters and map.

BeachFinder

Other nearby spots

Compare nearby alternatives if conditions change, parking is full, or you want a calmer spot.

Playa Caletas water temperature today | Wind, UV, Surf & Water Quality | BeachFinder