Summary
Located between the shores of the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica boasts an extensive coastline renowned for its picturesque and varied beaches. Visitors can expect to discover pristine white sand beaches embellished with palm trees, rugged beach coves, and volcanic black sand beaches.
For those who appreciate beaches with comprehensive facilities, Costa Rica hosts several premier beach resorts. Conversely, for individuals seeking solitude, the untouched coastlines of Costa Rica provide a perfect retreat.
Without further ado, we present our selection of the best beaches in Costa Rica:
1. Manuel Antonio
Among the most frequented destinations in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio Beach forms part of the Manuel Antonio National Park and serves as an ideal beach for families. The water remains consistently warm, and the coral landscape is superb for snorkeling.
Reaching Manuel Antonio Beach requires a 30-minute walk from the park’s entrance.
The surrounding national park is teeming with diverse wildlife, featuring white-faced monkeys, green iguanas, and sloths. This area is also notable for the presence of endangered squirrel monkeys.
For those who enjoy lengthy walks, the park offers several hiking trails that lead to various other beaches.
2. Tortuguero
Characterized by its Afro-Caribbean influence, Tortuguero Beach is accessible solely via a canal boat from Porto Limon or through a flight from San Jose.
The beach offers an excellent setting for sunbathing and is home to numerous green turtles that come here for breeding. Tortuguero also presents myriad attractions including scenic hiking trails, jungle canal tours, and guided safaris.
It is essential to visit Tortuguero National Park, where opportunities to observe several endangered species such as manatees, tapirs, and ocelots are available. The park is renowned for its crocodile-populated canals and verdant rainforests.
Accommodation options in Tortuguero are limited, and most are relatively upscale.
3. Tamarindo
For those interested in learning to surf, Tamarindo is an excellent choice for novice surfers and features a vibrant nightlife scene. While it is less suitable for swimming due to larger waves, the area offers various other activities.
Visit the nearby Las Baulas National Park, famous for the leatherback sea turtles that nest along the coastline between October and February.
Several accommodation options exist near Tamarindo Beach, with some hotels providing discounts on nearby water sport rentals. If visiting Tamarindo Beach during the busy weekends, consider exploring the beautiful nearby Langosta Beach.
4. Samara
Samara is a quaint beach town regarded as one of the country’s hidden gems. Regrettably, this location has begun to attract more tourists each season.
What contributes to its allure? Playa Samara stands out as one of Costa Rica’s most stunning beaches, characterized by its fine white sand, tropical flora, and diverse marine life.
The beach is sheltered by a bay, with a small uninhabited island, Isla Chora, in the center that is abundant with birdlife. Enthusiastic bird-watchers can rent a kayak to approach the island for birdwatching.
Snorkeling and scuba diving present opportunities to discover the crystal-clear underwater ecosystems. Moreover, this beach town offers an array of distinctive restaurants and small shops where dining options abound.
5. Playa Santa Teresa
Situated on the Nicoya Peninsula within the small town of Santa Teresa, Playa Santa Teresa is an isolated beach enveloped by a lush tropical jungle. Visitors will find this area less frequented by tourists and high-end resorts, making it ideal for adventurous travelers. Although reaching the beach demands some effort, the experience proves entirely worthwhile.
With open access to the Pacific, Playa Santa Teresa features fine white sand and boasts excellent surfing locations, including La Lora and Suck Rock. Those who are not interested in surfing can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and exploring multiple hiking trails.
6. Montezuma
Located along a stunning coastline, Montezuma Beach is one of the most captivating beaches in the nation. This beach attracts numerous divers, surfers, and backpackers, providing a perfect setting for sunbathing.
Montezuma town is celebrated for its vibrant nightlife, offering a variety of clubs and bars to choose from. It is a favored romantic getaway; however, anticipate that many accommodation options may be somewhat high-priced.
7. Playa Flamingo
Renowned for its white sand, Playa Flamingo is an ideal destination for swimming. Located in the Guanacaste region, this beach presents a myriad of activities, including watching captivating sunsets, scuba diving, and sailing.
It is bordered by upscale properties and villas, which may limit affordable accommodation options in the vicinity.
Fortunately, the weather remains favorable year-round, with limited rainfall for two to three months. Visitors can explore the town center, where souvenir shops and inviting restaurants await.
8. Playa Conchal
Situated north of Tamarindo, Playa Conchal is a pristine white sand beach that is an excellent choice for both snorkeling and swimming.
Only one upscale hotel, the Westin Playa Conchal Resort, is located near the beach. Fortunately, this large resort is discreetly positioned away from the tree-lined Playa Conchal, preserving its natural tranquility.
This beach offers an abundance of underwater exploration opportunities and remains uncrowded, unlike popular Guanacaste Beach and Playa Brasilito.
9. Playa Hermosa
Situated in Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa is conveniently located a short drive from Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport. This beach ranks among the finest surfing spots in the nation, characterized by large waves that host international surf competitions.
This 2-kilometer long gray sandy beach is also superb for windsurfing, jet-skiing, kayaking, and sailboarding.
Surrounded by a lush tropical forest and offering hiking trails near substantial rocky volcanic formations, Playa Hermosa is a must-visit. If appetites arise after a day by the sea, head to the surf town of Guanacaste for a variety of dining options.
10. Playa Dominical
Located a short drive from the renowned Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Dominical is celebrated as a surfer’s haven. The area is replete with surf shops and camps, complemented by a lush landscape and jungle-clad mountains, adding to its unique appeal.
Visitors can expect to find lifeguards on duty at Playa Dominical, and the beach typically does not experience overcrowding. For those who wish to take a break from sunbathing or surfing, a variety of bars, souvenir shops, and restaurants are nearby.
11. Jaco Beach
Positioned in the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Jaco Beach serves as an optimal destination for both beach enthusiasts and surfers. Situated only a two-hour drive from San Jose, the town of Jaco boasts a vibrant nightlife, a few casinos, and numerous international dining choices.
While the beach is great for surfers, families with children may find the large waves less accommodating year-round.
A number of buses provide transportation from the town to Jaco Beach, and visitors can discover several great seaside options nearby, such as the Tsunami Restaurant, known for its excellent sushi offerings.
Individuals passionate about water sports, dining, nightlife, and particularly surfing will find Jaco Beach and the town of Jaco an ideal destination for a remarkable summer adventure.
12. Puerto Viejo
Featuring intriguing dark volcanic sand, Puerto Viejo was previously one of the best-kept secrets in Costa Rica. Presently, this surfside village attracts numerous tourists seeking an alternative experience from the Pacific side.
Numerous remarkable surfing beaches draw surfers from around the globe to this charming locale.
Many of these beaches are absolutely stunning, and it is no surprise that increasing numbers of travelers are flocking here annually for their vacations.
13. Tambor
This tranquil beachside village situated northeast of Montezuma features mild bay waters, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Once frequently visited by whales, this area now accommodates many tourists, drawn by its picturesque pink-gray sands hailed as some of the country’s most alluring.
Although Tambor is not particularly easy to access and requires some effort to arrive, the experience is undoubtedly rewarding. Limited hotels and restaurants exist here, but for those seeking immaculate beaches safe for swimming, Tambor is the ideal destination.
14. Nosara Beach
Nosara Beach features seven kilometers of pristine white sand and includes several large tide pools ideal for snorkeling and marine exploration. The village of Nosara, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, remains largely undeveloped, embodying a paradise surrounded by tropical vegetation and expansive pristine beaches.
At Playa Guiones, visitors will find various hotels and dining options, as well as many surfers enjoying the rolling waves. Nosara Beach is also suitable for beginner surfers, with ample rental shops available for surfing equipment.
15. Playa Biesanz
While Playa Biesanz is somewhat challenging to locate, discovering it will reward visitors with a postcard-perfect beach gem. To assist navigation, Playa Biesanz is situated in a small cove near Quepos Point, enveloped by tropical rainforest. The absence of waves makes this beach ideal for leisurely swimming.
Thanks to its crystal-clear waters, snorkeling is a favored activity, with remarkable underwater rock formations to explore. This beach is less frequented, offering a tranquil atmosphere with only a handful of locals relaxing under the shady palm trees.
