Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1492 Restaurant
INTERNATIONAL
( 2661-4044; Hotel Punta Islita; mains US$14-28; 7am-10pm; )
The movie
1492
was shot on location in Punta Islita, and some of the props adorn the res-
taurant. The cuisine here, which is a fusion of Costa Rican and international food, is top
quality - and the view is superlative.
Getting There & Away
AIR
NatureAir has one flight daily between San José and Punta Islita (one way US$141).
BUS
The closest you can get to Islita by bus is to take one of the two daily Empresa Arsa buses
from San José that go through San Francisco de Coyote and on to Playas San Miguel and
Bejuco. Keep in mind that from Bejuco there is still a long uphill hike to Islita - and hitch-
hiking is almost impossible due to the lack of traffic.
CAR
Although Punta Islita is less than 10km by road southeast of Playa Carrillo, the coastal
'road' is wicked and requires some river crossings that are impossible in the wet season.
During the dry season, there is a bridge over the river that makes it easily passable. Other-
wise, the 'easiest' route heads inland on the paved road from Playa Carrillo to the village
of Estrada. When you come to the fork in the road, bear left. At the T-intersection in Santa
Marta, turn right onto the gravel road to Islita. At the next T-intersection, you can turn
right on the rough but decent dirt road to reach Islita (11km), or left to reach Playas San
Miguel and Coyote via San Pedro, Cangrejal and Bejuco.
Playas San Miguel & Coyote
Just south of Playa Bejuco are arguably two of the most beautiful and least-visited beaches
in Costa Rica. Playa San Miguel is a desolate and beautiful beach buffeted by a hulking
granite headland and backed by elegant coconut palms. There's a no-name bar at the end of
the road, on the beach. Playa Coyote, to the south, is likewise a wilderness beach, but at
