What is the best beach in Costa Rica? Is it Playa del Coco or Jaco Beach? Or perhaps Manuel Antonio National Park? The answer depends on who you ask. There are many popular beaches in Costa Rica, each offering its own unique experience.
Costa Rica has over 200 miles of coastline, stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Coast. Each region offers something different. From white sand beaches to rocky cliffs, Costa Rican beaches offer a wide variety of experiences.
To find out which gorgeous beaches are the best of Costa Rica, keep on reading!
Best Beaches of Costa Rica – The Master List
Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and the Pacific Ocean. Its geography offers a diversity of beaches, ranging from pristine white sands to lush jungles and volcanoes. Reading a little bit about the different beaches in each region can help you determine where you want to spend most of your time.
Manuel Antonio Beach – Quepos, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio is a popular destination and tourist attraction in Costa Rica. With its clear and blue waters, Manuel Antonio beach is perfect for snorkeling and shallow diving. Located just south of San José city, it borders Manuel Antonio National Park, where there is a ton to do. It takes about an hour to get there by car and another half hour by bus from San José. The coral reef surrounding the island is beautiful and worth exploring. You may also spot monkeys, sloths, coatis, iguanas, snakes, and lizards if you walk along the trail. A 30-minute walk takes you from one end of the point to the other. If you’re staying in the town of Manuel Antonio, then you’ll be able to reach the beach easily on foot. Most hotels are located near the beach and provide stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
If Manuel Antonio captivates you as it does us, you may want to look into hanging around this area a little longer. You can find more information and tips on visiting Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica here.
Tamarindo Beach – Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
If you’re interested in surfing, visit the Tamarindo Beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Tamarindo beach is located on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Tamarindo is a small fishing village located just north of San José. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and laid-back vibe. Surfing is a big deal here, and there are plenty of opportunities for beginners. Surf lessons are available at many local schools and you can rent boards at many shops along the main drag. Some of the best waves break off the coast and can be found at Playa Tamarindo. Swimming is also an option if you are a strong swimmer. There are plenty of places to stay here and you can spend your days relaxing on the beach or exploring the surrounding area. You’ll also find plenty of great restaurants and bars.
Conchal Beach – Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Conchal Beach, Costa Rica
Playa Conchal is located at the west end of the Nicoya Peninsula, about 10 km south of Liberia in the Guanacaste Province. It is an unassuming stretch of white sand with tiny sea shells that sits right next to the Pacific Ocean. Playa Conchal is a great place to go if you’re looking for a quiet beach. There are also many different types of coral and underwater discoveries. You can rent equipment at Playa Conchal to snorkel if you like. You won’t find any hotels here, just a few small restaurants serving fresh seafood and cold drinks. There is also a small park with picnic tables and benches.
Montezuma Beach – Montezuma, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Montezuma Beach is located in the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is made up of grayish-brown sand and rocky outcroppings with tidal pools, backed by swaying palms. There are two main beaches here. One is called Playa Montezuma, and the other is Playa Hermosa. The road to the beach is paved, but the gravel road leading to the beach is not well maintained and should be avoided during rainy season.
Santa Teresa Beach – Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Playa Santa Teresa is one of Costa Rica’s top surfing destinations. Santa Teresa beach is located in the Nicoya Peninsula, just north of Montezuma. The 2-mile-long stunning beach coast is well known for its fast and powerful waves that can be surfed at almost any time of day. At low tide, you will see tidal pools filled with brightly colored fish and sea anemones. Playa Santa Teresa is a great place to watch the sunset.
Punta Uva Beach – Southern Caribbean Coast, Limón Province, Costa Rica
Punta Uva, Costa Rica
Playa Punta Uva is a quiet white sand beach with calm and warm waters located within the Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge. Punta Uva is surrounded by dense jungle where you may spot monkeys, sloths, birds, and other tropical animals. The coral reef located offshore makes this an excellent snorkeling beach. The calm waters also allow for family fun. The water is warm enough to swim in throughout the year. A short walk from the beach will lead you to the small town of Puntavista de Punta Uva. There are a few restaurants and accommodations available in this beach town. This area of Costa Rica is often referred to as the Cloud Forest because of its cloud cover. It’s also very close to the Caribbean so it’s safe to say this is the closest to a Caribbean beach in Costa Rica. The climate here is tropical, with temperatures averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Humidity levels are generally high during the summer months, especially from June through August.
Hermosa Beach – Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Hermosa Beach, Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa is a long stretch of white sand and turquoise water that is located about 30 minutes south of the town of Jaco. Surfers will love Playa Hermosa because of its consistent low-tide surfing potential and less crowded beaches. However, the weather can get cold during the winter months. If you’re looking for something more secluded, head to nearby Jaco Beach, Playa Chiquita, or Playa Tamarindo. This is a great place to go if you’re looking for epic photos of surfing. There are plenty of photographers out there who will gladly snap your photo while you hang ten. But swimming here could be dangerous. There are also several hotels and all inclusive resorts along the beach, which you can visit if you’re looking for beach bars, including La Quinta Inn & Suites, Hotel Punta Islita, and Casa de las Flores.
There are a ton of all inclusive resorts in Costa Rica you can stay at, but how do you know which resort is the best pick for you? We’ve got you covered with an article on the top all inclusive resorts in Costa Rica.
Flamingo Beach – Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Playa Flamingo is located on the Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste province, near the town of Tamarindo. The name of the beach comes from its appearance when viewed at sunset. You will notice that the white sand, when lit by the setting sun, has a pinkish tint. Flamingo Beach has gentle waves all around and water temperature that is perfect for swimming. It is a relatively small beach surrounded by cliffs, mangroves, and several tall palm trees to provide shade.
Samara Beach – Sámara, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Samara Beach, Costa Rica
Samara Beach is located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is protected by an island off the coast, making it less crowded than other beaches on the peninsula. Kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing are all fun activities here. There is also a small zoo nearby. Playa Samara is considered one of the best beaches for families. It has lots of space to play around and swim in the ocean.
Chiquita Beach – Punta Uva, Limón Province, Costa Rica
Playa Chiquita is great for those looking for a relaxing vacation in a tropical paradise. Small and quiet, Playa Chiquita is ideal for couples or small groups wanting to enjoy the privacy of a remote beach. A short walk away you’ll find a large public park with lush jungle and beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Chiquita beach is also incredibly close to Hermosa Beach, Jaco Beach, or Tamarindo Beach, so it’s the perfect spot if you want to beach hop.
Traveling to the Best Beaches of Costa Rica
Whether you’re heading down the Pacific coast for calm waves at Playa Guiones or heading to Tamarindo beach to surf, you’ll definitely need a means of transportation and some guidance. Check out our in-depth article about renting cars in Costa Rica and traveling within Costa Rica.
