From the center of Puerto Viejo de Limon, the even tinier coastal village of Playa Chiquita lies approximately 3 kilometers to the south.  Many Europeans have settled in this neighborhood and started families, and there is a strong sense of community that accompanies the tranquility and complements the howling of monkeys, which is one of the first things many people notice about Playa Chiquita. Playa Chiquita, Costa Rica — Photo courtesy of JarleNaustvik

In Playa Chiquita, there is a greater distance between the road and the coast, in between lies a dense swath of jungle rainforest, home to hundreds of species of wildlife. To reach the beach, you must find a path cutting through to the sand, of which there are a few (ask at El Duende Gourmet Market on the main road), each leading to a private cove of sandy beach interspersed with coral reef and dappled with coconut palms and closely fringed by dense green jungle. Playa Chiquita Beach — Photo courtesy of SLaMonica

Swimming and snorkeling is fine at Playa Chiquita, the protected cove's tranquil waters invite immersion, and surfers prefer the waves at other beaches. Playa Chiquita — Photo courtesy of JarleNaustvik

There are no bars or hotels on the water's edge, and the sense of seclusion that Playa Chiquita offers makes it ideal for sunbathing and romantic picnics.