Gandoca

About halfway through the beachside trail of Gandoca-Manzanillo National Park, a sturdy footbridge leads to a magnificent lookout point. The panoramic ocean view includes Punta Uva on the left and the edge of the national park on the right with glimpses of impossibly pristine beaches in between. Watch the deep blue waves crash on tiny rock islands and scope out secret coves where you can have an entire beach to yourself. Then turn around: The ocean can be so entrancing that it's easy to forget the lush foliage you left to reach this view point. Both make for fantastic photos and peaceful escapes.