Playa Chiquita in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica is the beach that belongs to the people who found it by looking past the obvious choices. Between Playa Cocles to the north and Punta Uva to the south, Chiquita is smaller, quieter, less photographed, and for a specific kind of person — the expat who wants nature over nightlife, snorkelling over surf, and a neighbourhood that has not yet fully adjusted to being discovered — it is the correct answer. The name means "little beach" in Spanish and it is a small beach. That is the point. 🌿
The Beach — What You Are Looking At
Playa Chiquita is a smaller stretch of beach than Cocles or Punta Uva, interrupted at either end by rocky outcroppings that change the character of the coastline. The sand section in the middle is calm and swimmable — better swimming conditions than Cocles, comparable to Punta Uva on most days. The rocky sections are where the real interest is: natural pools created by the rock formations that trap water and marine life at low tide, and transition into excellent snorkelling conditions beyond the rocks. 🐠
The beach is backed closely by jungle — the vegetation comes right to the high tide line in sections, which creates an immersive environment rather than the open exposure of a wide beach. In the afternoon, shade appears earlier than at Cocles or Punta Uva. The sound environment is notable: waves and birdsong rather than music or voices. Chiquita has not been heavily tourist-trafficked and it shows in the atmosphere.
Rock Pools and Snorkelling
The rocky outcroppings at either end of Playa Chiquita create natural rock pools that fill with marine life at high tide — small fish, sea urchins, starfish, and occasionally an octopus wedged into a crevice. Children find these endlessly interesting. Adults find them interesting too, though they are less likely to admit it. 🌊
Beyond the rocks, snorkelling conditions are comparable to Punta Uva and less crowded. The reef at Playa Chiquita gets fewer visitors than the more famous spots and the marine life in the rockier sections can be exceptional — particularly parrotfish and the territorial damselfish that are everywhere on Caribbean reefs. Bring your own equipment if possible — rental options near Chiquita are fewer than at the main beach areas.
The Neighbourhood
The community along the Playa Chiquita stretch of the coastal road is small and predominantly long-term. Fewer tourist-facing businesses, more residential. The restaurants that exist are local and generally excellent — the kind of spots where the owner is also the cook and the regulars greet each other by name. There is no concentration of cafés or surf shops here. There is jungle, quiet, and community. 🌴
WiFi quality at Chiquita rentals varies more than at Cocles — the area is less densely served by fibre infrastructure. If reliable high-speed internet is a non-negotiable requirement for your work, confirm speeds at any specific rental before committing. Some properties are excellent; others are not. This is the research that matters most for remote workers considering Chiquita.
Who Playa Chiquita Is Right For
Playa Chiquita is specifically the right choice for: the expat or nomad who has already done the more social beach bases and wants quieter. The snorkeller for whom the beach's accessibility to the reef edge matters more than surf. The person who wants to see more wildlife at closer range in daily life (the jungle proximity at Chiquita is exceptional). The writer, the artist, the remote worker who does best work in silence rather than ambient energy. The couple who want a shared private experience of the Caribbean rather than a social one. 🙏
It is not the right choice for someone who wants to walk to cafés for work sessions, needs the most reliable internet infrastructure, or wants to be embedded in the nomad social scene. Cocles exists for those things and does them well.
Staying at Playa Chiquita
The rental market at Playa Chiquita is small — fewer properties than Cocles or Punta Uva, but the ones that exist tend to be interesting. Houses embedded in jungle gardens close to the beach, with the wildlife and quiet that makes long-term living extraordinary. Prices are typically between Cocles and Punta Uva — not the cheapest, not the most expensive, reflecting the combination of location and relative quietness. For the broader rental picture including how to find good properties in less-trafficked areas, see 🏠 long-term rentals in Puerto Viejo. The best areas for rentals guide compares all neighbourhoods including Chiquita directly.
If you're imagining yourself here already, you're not alone. Dive into our Ultimate Guide to Puerto Viejo Costa Rica to see what it's really like to spend more time on the Caribbean coast.