Commercial
$365,000
Manzanillo is a small fishing village on the northeastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, north of Tambor and well off the tourist path. The bay is calm, the beach is wide, and the rhythm is entirely local — pangas pulled up on the sand, a handful of family-run sodas, and a community that has remained largely Costa Rican even as nearby Tambor and Santa Teresa have internationalised.
For buyers, Manzanillo offers what the better-known beaches no longer do: meaningful inventory at accessible prices, often within walking distance of a calm-water beach. Ocean-view lots in the surrounding hills are still available below $200k, and modest beachfront homes trade in ranges that would be impossible in Guanacaste or Santa Teresa.
The trade-off is convenience. There are no restaurants worth crossing town for, no nightlife, and limited shopping — most residents drive 30 minutes south to Tambor or Cobano for groceries. Internet and power are reliable in the village itself but sparse on outlying parcels.
Where is Manzanillo?
Manzanillo sits on the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province, 15 km north of Tambor.
From San José
Highway 27 to Puntarenas, ferry to Paquera, then 25 min south. Total 3.5–4.5 hrs.
From Liberia
~4 hrs via Nicoya.
Nearest airports
- · Tambor (TMU) — 25 min
- · San José (SJO) — 35 min flight + transfer
Properties for sale in Manzanillo
Avg. $645K
Commercial
$925,000
Frequently asked questions
How does Manzanillo compare to Tambor?▾
Quieter, more local, and noticeably cheaper. Manzanillo has fewer services and no resort scene — most buyers come here specifically for that.
Is the beach swimmable?▾
Yes. The bay is sheltered and the water is calm year-round, making it one of the few easy-swim beaches on the peninsula.
What's the nearest hospital?▾
CMI Cobano (private) and the CCSS clinic in Cobano, both ~45 minutes away.
Can I walk to restaurants and shops?▾
Within the village, yes — but options are limited to a few sodas. For a proper supermarket or varied dining, you'll drive to Tambor or Cobano.
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