So Many Great Choices on the Pacific and Caribbean
Costa Rica is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, you have around 600 amazing beaches to choose from!
In this article, we’re spotlighting multiple beaches on both coasts to help you find the best place to go for your next beach vacation.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica’s Beaches
Rainy Season vs Dry Season
Before we dive right into the beaches we need to talk about the timing of your trip.
Most will say that the best time to visit Costa Rica’s beaches is the dry season, typically from December to April. While you will certainly be less likely to encounter rain during the dry season during your beach vacation – there are some advantages to the rainy season – even for a beach vacation:
- Less Crowds – The highest volume of crowds occurs during the dry season. You can have more of the beach to yourself during the rainy season.
- More Active Wildlife – Most Costa Rica travelers try to take advantage of the wonderful ecotourism opportunities while in Costa Rica. Wildlife tends to be much more active (and visible) during the rainy season
- Greener – The natural beauty of Costa Rica comes alive during the rainy season with much more lush foliage.
- Less Expensive – Rainy season is off season, this means less traveler demand, which can result in lower lodging and excursion costs.
Sunset Just North of Tamarindo
Tamarindo Area Beaches
Tamarindo is a town located in Guanacaste Province along Costa Rica’s Northwest Pacific Coast. Guanacaste beach options are among Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations. Tamarindo Beach in particular is perfect for newbie surfers and lively nightlife.
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa Overview
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is located about an hour drive north of Tamarindo. This beautiful beach is known for its grayish-white sand, calm waters, and stunning sunsets. It offers a tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for families, couples, and travelers looking for a relaxing beach experience on the Pacific Ocean.
Playa Hermosa Lodging Options
Hermosa beach has many different lodging options for luxury and budget travelers alike. If you’re willing to expand your lodging search, you’ll be able to find an even larger variety of options about a mile south at nearby Coco Beach.
Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal Overview
This beach is famous for its stunning white sand made up of crushed shells and clear, turquoise waters. It offers a serene setting, perfect for relaxation and a variety of water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Nearby Playa Flamingo – located just to the north offers a similar experience.
Sunset at Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal Lodging Options
There are several lodging options near Playa Conchal Beach, ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly accommodations. One of the most notable is The Westin Reserva Conchal, an all-inclusive resort offering extensive amenities, including pools, restaurants, and a golf course. Additionally, there are boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and eco lodges in the surrounding area, providing a variety of choices to suit different preferences and budgets.
Playa Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo Overview
Known for its golden sand, clear blue waters, and lively atmosphere, Tamarindo Beach is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. The beach attracts tourists from around the world. Tamarindo offers a mix of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and a bustling town with plenty of amenities.
If you’re a surfer – even if you’re just getting started surfing – Tamarindo has great surfing. There are numerous surf schools here that offer lessons and board rentals.
Besides surfing, you’ll get the chance to enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sport fishing. The waters are rich in marine life, providing snorkelers and scuba divers great opportunities for underwater exploration.
Sport Fishing From Tamarindo
The town itself boasts a vibrant nightlife with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs. With so many options, you’ll find it easy to find a place to eat for the whole family.
Playa Tamarindo Lodging Options
Tamarindo is a bustling location and it offers a wide range of accommodations including luxury resorts and hotels on the high end – all the way down to more budget friendly options. You should have no problem finding a place to stay that meets your budget requirements.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande Overview
Playa Grande is a Huge, Uncrowded Beach
Located just north of Tamarindo, Playa Grande is a popular destination for tourists seeking a serene and scenic beach experience. The beach’s clean, expansive shoreline is ideal for sunbathing, beach walks, and enjoying the stunning sunsets. It might just be the best beach in the Tamarindo area if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
Playa Grande Lodging Options
Play Grande’s location makes staying in nearby Tamarindo a convenient option. There are also smaller, more secluded options located on the north end of Playa Grande.
Playa Avellana
Playa Avellana Overview
Located a few miles south of Tamarindo, Playa Avellana is known for its pristine white sand beach and crystal-clear waters.
Not a fan of big crowds? Playa Avellana might be a good fit. It is much less crowded than Tamarindo. And if you’re an experienced surfer, even better. Playa Avellana is often referred to as “Little Hawaii” due to its consistent and powerful waves.
Playa Avellana Lodging Options
The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is less than a half mile from the beach. The beach is also a short drive from lodging options in Tamarindo. There are also smaller, more secluded options just a bit inland from the beach.
Tamarindo Area Adventure and EcoTour Options
The beaches in and around Tamarindo are obviously amazing! But when you need a break from the sun and sand, there are a wide variety of eco adventure opportunities – many located within nearby National Parks just a short drive away.
Rincon National Park
Tubing at Rincon National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and the opportunity to hike up an active volcano. Organized tours include tubing, horseback riding, ziplines, and a hot springs tour. The park offers very kid friendly activities that you can do as a family and is a great place to explore for the day.
There are also opportunities for wildlife tours, where travelers can see diverse flora and fauna, including howler monkeys, iguanas, and a variety of bird species.
Rincon National Park Offers Great Family Oriented Activities Like Horseback Riding
Palo Verde National Park
This park is a birder’s paradise and is one of the best places in Central America to observe migratory waterfowl. There are over 270 species of birds within the confines of the park including egrets, herons, storks, spoonbills and even the Jabiru Stork which can top out at up to five feet tall!
If birds aren’t your thing, you’ll have the opportunity to see monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas and perhaps even turtles.
A Heron Takes Flight in Palo Verde National Park
Las Baulas National Marine Park
Las Baulas National Marine Park is a protected area known for its vital role in the conservation of leatherback sea turtles (note that “baulas” is Spanish for “turtle”). The park encompasses various ecosystems, including mangroves, estuaries, and sandy beaches, creating a diverse habitat for numerous species of wildlife.
The main reason to come to this park are the guided night tours to observe leatherback sea turtles nesting on the beaches, primarily from October to March. These tours provide an educational and awe-inspiring experience as if you’re lucky, you’ll get the chance to watch these giant turtles lay their eggs.
Nicoya Peninsula Beaches
The Nicoya Peninsula, almost exclusively located in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and laid-back, authentic vibe.
It is a haven for eco-tourists and adventure seekers, boasting activities such as surfing, yoga retreats, wildlife tours, and horseback riding along secluded beaches.
Playa Samara
Playa Samara Overview
The Idyllic Samara Beach
Playa Samara is located on the Nicoya Peninsula. While still in Guanacaste, it is around a two hour drive south from Tamarindo. The town is a little bit more laid back, a little less touristy, and some say provides a little bit more of an authentic Costa Rica experience.
Samara beach itself is known as a ridiculously picturesque beach with beautiful white sand, gentle waves, and lush surroundings.
You can feel comfortable bringing your family here – as Samara beach is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for families. The beach features calm, shallow waters which are less turbulent than the surfing beaches to the north.
Playa Samara Lodging Options
Samara is a laid back town with plenty of beachfront lodging options. Due to its smaller size, you’ll likely find that you’ll get a slightly better deal on lodging here than in Tamarindo.
Playa Guiones
Playa Guiones Overview
Playa Guiones is a stunning beach known for its long stretch of white sand and consistent surf breaks. Its natural beauty and laid-back vibe make it a popular destination for surfers, yoga enthusiasts, and eco-tourists. Just like Samara, the area is less developed than some other Costa Rican beach towns, providing a more tranquil and nature-focused experience.
Playa Guiones Lodging Options
While less busy than the Tamarindo area, there are still plenty of lodging options adjacent to Guiones beach. A full range of options from inexpensive hostels to high end lodging costing upwards of $300/night (USD) are available right next to the beach.
Puntarenas Area Beaches
Puntarenas is an extremely large province that comprises the majority of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
Closest Beaches to San Jose
Many of the beaches in the Puntarenas area can be reached within a couple of hours from San Jose. So, a day trip from San Jose to Puntarenas beaches is possible if you plan in advance.
Playa Puntarenas
Playa Puntarenas Overview
Puntarenas Beach is located in the city of Puntarenas. The city is situated on a narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya.
The city is a tourist hotspot – and a cruise ship stop! There are a lot of things to do in Puntarenas including lounging on the beach, swimming, fishing, and boat tours. Due to the high volume of tourists, there are plenty of restaurants and places to stay on the peninsula.
Introducing the Kids to Deep Sea Fishing
Puntarenas Distance from San Jose
The drive from San José to Puntarenas typically takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, making a day trip an option. This is one of the easier beaches to reach from San Jose.
Jaco Beach
Jaco Beach Overview
Jaco Beach, (Playa Jaco) located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Puntarenas Province, is a popular tourist destination. The beach itself is known for its long stretch of dark sand and consistent surf, making it a preferred location for surfing enthusiasts of all levels.
While surfing is extremely popular at Jaco there’s much more to do – including kayaking, paddleboarding, sport fishing and more. Moving away from the water, ATV tours, zip-lining are also available.
Jaco Beach Distance from San Jose
The drive from San José to Jaco Beach typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, making it possible to do for a day trip if you’re in a pinch. That said, most tourists opt to stay overnight or for several days to fully experience all that Jaco Beach and nearby destinations have to offer.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca Overview
Playa Blanca in Costa Rica is a beautiful beach characterized by its soft white sand and clear, calm waters, making it an inviting spot for tourists. Located in the Puntarenas Province, it offers a tranquil setting ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. Another benefit is that the beach is relatively uncrowded.
Beach activities include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and exploring the surrounding nature trails. There are also opportunities for wildlife viewing if you go just a little bit inland.
Playa Blanca Distance from San Jose
Traveling from San José to Playa Blanca typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours by car, depending on traffic and road conditions. While it is feasible to visit Playa Blanca as a day trip from San José, it isn’t recommended as you’ll spend much of your day on the road.
Playa Bejuco
Playa Bejuco Overview
Playa Bejuco is a relatively uncrowded beach located in the Puntarenas Province on the Central Pacific coast. The beach is characterized by its long stretch of dark, soft sand and strong waves, making it a great spot for both relaxation and surfing. Surfing, swimming and sunbathing are among the most popular activities at this beach.
Playa Bejuco Adventure and EcoTouring Options
Playa Bejuco is a bit of a haul from Carara National Park (which is more easily accessible from other Puntarenas Province beach locations). However, it does have extensive mangroves in the vicinity which are a huge draw for tourists. On a monkey mangrove tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see a large variety of birds, lizards, and of course… monkeys.
Playa Bejuco Distance from San Jose
As opposed to the other beaches located relatively close to San Jose, the drive to Playa Bejuco is certainly on the longer side – and typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. This makes day tripping to Bejuco possible, but not recommended as it would be a very long day.
Puntarenas Area Adventure and EcoTouring Options
All Puntarenas area beaches mentioned within this section are within 30 to 90 minutes of Carara National Park. The park offers wonderful adventure and eco travel opportunities.
Bird watching and hiking are very popular within the park. The Park also offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities including the chance to see sloths, a wide variety of monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and more.
Caribbean Coast Beaches
Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast offers stunning beaches with unique charm. The turquoise waters and white sands create a tropical paradise for visitors.
Playa Cocles
Playa Cocles Overview
Stunningly Beautiful and Secluded Playa Cocles
Playa Cocles is located near the town of Puerto Viejo in the Limón Province, is a beautiful beach known for its golden sand, turquoise waters, and lush tropical surroundings.
Surfing is popular here – the beach is well-known for its surf breaks that attract surfers of all levels. Surf schools and board rentals are available for beginners and experienced surfers alike.
Getting beneath the surf opens up an amazing world of opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Playa Cocles features nearby reefs where you can see parrotfish, blue tang, and triggerfish congregate.
For wildlife lovers, be sure to check out the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center which is located just off the south end of the beach. The rescue center rescues, rehabilitates and releases native wildlife and offers both public and private tours.
Playa Cocles Lodging Options
There are a variety of lodging options available both in Playa Cocles and in the nearby town of Playa Puerto Viejo. Nightly costs run the gamut from as low as $17/night up to $300+ per night.
Playa Punta Uva
Playa Punta Uva Overview
Playa Punta Uva is known for its clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, and lush jungle backdrop. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, you’ll want to consider this Costa Rica beach.
Punta uva beach features calm, shallow waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding tropical forest provides a fantastic backdrop and an opportunity to go on nature walks and to see monkeys and birds.
Playa Punta Uva Lodging Options
Lodging in Punta UVA is somewhat limited and can be a bit on the pricey side. You can likely save a bit on lodging by moving a bit further up the coast towards Puerto Viejo.
Carribbean Coast Area Adventure and EcoTour Options
Cahuita National Park, is located a short 20-30 minute drive from both Playa Punta Uva and Playa Cocles. The park encompasses a range of ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, rainforests, and beaches, making it a haven for diverse flora and fauna.
Several well-marked trails wind through the park’s lush rainforests and along the coast. The Cahuita Point Trail is particularly popular, offering scenic views and opportunities to spot wildlife like iguanas, monkeys, coatis, sloths, toucans, crocodiles and more.
Cahuita National Park offers a comprehensive ecotourism experience, with its mix of aquatic and terrestrial activities and abundant wildlife. It is an ideal destination for nature lovers and those looking to experience the natural beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica.