World / Central America & the Caribbean / Costa Rica / The Zona Sur / Playa Tortuga
Heading south on the coastal road, Highway 34 (also known as the Costanera Sur), you'll come to PLAYA TORTUGA, about halfway between Dominical and Palmar. A few years ago this beach won an award as the cleanest in Costa Rica: no wonder, as practically nobody made the bone-shaking trip out here back then. The road has improved and consequently Playa Tortuga sees more visitors these days, but still far fewer than other beaches in Costa Rica. You'll find a couple of very good hotels close to the beach: the recently expanded Posada Playa Tortuga ( 384-5489, www.hotel-posada.com ; Price: $76-100) has comfortable rooms, a large swimming pool with Jacuzzi and an amazing view. Villas Gaia ( & 256-9996, www.villasgaia.com ; Price: $51-75) offers twelve brightly coloured cabinas, a pool and an attractive restaurant. It also has a range of tours including snorkelling at Isla Caño and boat tours of local mangrove swamps.
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