Beaches of Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is not only one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches, but one of the most beautiful in the entire world. Imagine perfect horseshoe bays bordered by soft white sands, dazzling blue-green waters, and hilltops graced with jungle and streaming waterfalls. Part of Manuel Antonio National Parki, this beach allows guests to dive, snorkel, surf, kayak, hike, or zipline – but don't forget to relax and enjoy the unforgettable views.

Playa Dominical

About 30 miles south of Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Dominical is widely recognized as one of the best Costa Rica surfing beaches. A number of surf camps and surf shops have sprung up to take advantage of the lively lefts and rights. But even if you don't surf, you'll adore Playa Dominical's lush green landscape, nightlife and relatively uncrowded sands.

Montezuma

Located on the inner base of the Nicoya peninsula, the tiny surfer town of Montezuma is a collection of souvenir shops, swanky hotels and organic restaurants, as well as a gathering place for Costa Rica's most idiosyncratic locals and travelers. Dreadlocked Rastafarians, tattooed bohemians, sun-kissed surfers, and other examples of exceptional beauty are the norm at this picturesque little beach, which also boasts tide pools, forested waterfalls, and wildlife (Capuchin monkeys and Crocodiles to name a few) .

Playa Tamarindo

Tamarindo has all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town: surf, sand and sun. But it offers much more to many more. It is the ideal place for honeymoons and weddings, couples, and families, and wonderfully suited to eco-adventures. The beach is a three-and-a-half-kilometer stretch of white sand and warm blue water. Tamarindo is surrounded by national parks to its north and south, and mountains with breathtaking views to its east. Nature is abundant; Leatherback Turtles lay their eggs in the northern part of the bay.

Mal Pais

Surf culture is the principle philosophy in Malpais and its close coastal neighbor, Santa Teresa. If you're not a wave-worshiper, book a boat tour and watch dolphins, manta rays, and other creatures thriving in the area's protected waters. Travelers can also hike to the Montezuma waterfalls and take a flying leap, or conquer the 4-hour trek through the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve to its pristine, white-sand beach. However, Malpais's own beaches are even better for stringing up a hammock and swaying in the sun.

Jaco

Right in the center of Costa Rica's Pacific coasts lies Jaco Beach, a surfer's Mecca with no shortage of attractions for travelers. Jaco is in such close proximity to San José (2 hours by car), it flourishes with nightlife, international dining options, and even casinos. But because of the budget surf crowd, accommodations and amenities span the entire price spectrum—at Jaco, no one is left out.

Playa Hermosa

Located in Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa is just 20 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. One of the best maintained beaches in the country, Playa Hermosa offers visitors crystal clear blue waters and gorgeous scenery, making it a very popular beach strip on the west coast. It has earned the ‘Bandera Azul’ or ‘Blue Flag,’ a prize given to beaches that demonstrate high environmental standards and excellent safety facilities.

Playa Manzanillo

Located in the province of Limón, this beach about 4 km long offers very favorable areas for swimming, as well as others ideal for diving due to the presence of corals. It is one of the most beautiful scenic areas of the country. The beach is white-sand with short waves and gentle slopes, surrounded by plenty of coconut palms and coral reefs that stretch 200 meters offshore.

Playa Bonita

This beach is characterized by yellowish sand and blue sea, moderate to strong waves especially for surfers. It is one of the most popular beaches of the Costa Rican Caribbean, often used for sports like volleyball and beach football, surfing, mountain biking, etc.. Playa Bonita lives up to its name, presenting scenes of great natural beauty. It offers just enough tourist development, with hotels, cabins, camping areas and restaurants. The vegetation around its coastline is lush, very wet tropical forest and is home to a large variety of fauna, forming part of the Cariari Park. Access roads are in good condition, and it’s near the airport in Limón and Moin Port.

Located on the Caribbean Sea of the province of Limón, Puerto Viejo is a former fishing town which has now slowly turned into a hotspot for beach lovers and surfers alike. The area is rich in flora and fauna, with stunning beaches boasting adventurous waves, and is the ultimate destination for those who would like to get to know the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect to unwind and leave all your cares behind.

This beautiful whitish grey sandy beach is surrounded by tropical vegetation and lies in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Playa Santa Teresa is especially famous for its excellent waves, which attract surfers from all over the country, and the world. Private and secluded, this beach has all the perfect ingredients for relaxed sunbathing, but also offers other activities nearby such as horseback riding, hiking or canopy tours.

Nosara is a small and peaceful beach community located in the province of Guanacaste, which offers everything you need in order to relax. This little town, somewhat off the beaten track, has become a Mecca of yoga, massage, spa and wellness possibilities. Nosara Beach combines beautiful natural surroundings, abundant wildlife and world-class surfing, so that nature, beach and surf lovers alike will be sure to find what they are seeking here.

North of Playa Nosara lies another beautiful long and dark-sand beach which is frequently visited by surfers. Nevertheless Playa Ostional’s most famous visitors are the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles who arrive here annually by the thousands in order to lay their eggs. Such an event is called an “arribada” and mostly occurs between July and December and is a highlight definitely not to be missed.

Translated as Turtle Island, this little paradise lies within a cluster of islands to the south of the Nicoya Peninsula. Decorated with palm trees, white-sand beaches and crystal clear water, this island entails everything you would imagine when thinking about a tropical island. In case you get tired of sunbathing, there are plenty of other things to do such as kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving and exotic bird and wildlife watching. This island will be a memorable part to your Costa Rican holiday.