When I lived in South Beach back in the States, I would wake up from time to time (or, more often, still be up from the night before) and stumble my way out to the beach to photograph the sunrise. It was always personally rewarding, once the coffee infiltrated my system and I was adequately alert. The fundamental problem I had with shooting the sunrise was that it always happened first thing in the morning at some ungodly hour. (Anything before 8am was ungodly then.) And mornings weren’t my thing.

So I was pretty thrilled to move to the Pacific coast in Costa Rica and start shooting sunsets. The sunset hour is so much more accommodating to my lifestyle. Two things I didn’t anticipate: 1) how utterly awe-inspiring the sunsets would be in Costa Rica and 2) how I’d be waking up nearly every single day before sunrise without an alarm clock. Now I have a compulsion to get to the Caribbean side to shoot sunrises over the ocean.

When I was in the US in June, my father was telling me how much he loves sunsets, something I’ve always known but never really appreciated. He told me how he views them as God painting on the sky. Since then, I can’t help but think of my old man when I watch the sun set over the ocean here in Jacó. When I can, I send photos to him so that he can enjoy the beauty that I see. (I also send photos of flowers to my mom for pretty much the same reason. Mostly though, I’m trying to seal up my position as favorite child in the ongoing competition with my sisters. I kid; there’s no competition. Not when you consider how far in the lead I am!

Where to shoot

I have fallen into a lazy habit of shooting the sunsets from the same location on the beach here in Jacó since it’s only 100 steps from my door to the sand on the beach. The sky shifts constantly and the tide is forever pushing in and pulling out, though, so it always differs in color and detail. When I was shooting sunrises, I would occasionally try to make use of whatever elements were around apart from the sun, the sky, the ocean, and the sand to provide more story. I try to do the same here.

Magnificent vistas exist just south of Jacó along route 34 on the way to Playa Hermosa. There are little places beside the road where you can stop your car, get out and look out over the ocean. Frequently, I’ll see cars parked and families having a little picnic. There’s one spot around the first bend heading south which has a small hill leading out to a near-sheer cliff drop. The view from there is pretty amazing.

Personally, I prefer to get down by the rocks for photos in that area. To get down to the coastline there, though, you sort of have to find your own path. Totally worth it, in my opinion. At any time of day.

Of course, anywhere on the beach in Playa Jacó, you’re going to have a magnificent view of the sunset. And if you’re at Bohio’s Beach Bar, you can enjoy a tasty beverage along with it.

Remember…

And there’s a lesson in there, too, which I’ve pointed out before in a guide I wrote for shooting sunrises over Miami Beach: stop and enjoy the moment. As a photographer, it’s easy to get caught up in snapping off dozens of photos, trying to get that one perfect shot. But it’s important to remember to simply BE in that moment.

I’m anxious to watch the sun set (and rise) throughout Costa Rica. Over rivers, through rainforests, above mountaintops, and in the endless panoramic ocean views. Such a majestic land with such intense and magnificent scenery. Thanks, Costa Rica, for being you.