👉 Jump to: Beaches along the Pacific Coast | Beaches along the Caribbean Coast
It’s well known – Costa Rica beaches rank among the finest globally.
Costa Rica is a tiny Central American country that boasts an astonishing 802 miles (1,290 km) of coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Despite its small size, the country’s beaches are extremely diverse and as uniquely beautiful as the country’s famous tropical birds.
After living in and exploring destinations in Costa Rica for five years, these are the beaches that I continue dreaming about.
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31 Best Beaches In Costa Rica
This list examines some of the top beaches situated along the Pacific coastline:
Playa Rajada
Relax on an isolated beach beneath the shade of the tropical dry woodland.
📍 Google Maps |🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Bay Villa
For a small slice of paradise, make your way to the Northwest corner of Costa Rica’s Playa Rajada. The isolated, generally vacant, beach is located within a cove that shields it from swells, implying that the waves mostly stay gentle and inviting to swimmers wanting to cool off in the water.
Playa Nancite
Remote and challenging to access, this beach is home to jaguars and many sea turtles.
Playa Nancite is a remote beach on the northern part of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, nestled in the heart of Santa Rosa National Park. The beach is so isolated and untamed that rare and elusive wildlife freely and fearlessly roams.
Thousands of shelled reptiles nest on Nancite hunted by Jaguars roaming the sand and surrounding woods.
Playa Cabuyal
Venture off the well-traveled paths to enjoy an unspoiled Pacific beachscape.
The remote and enchanting Playa Cabuyal lies in northwest Costa Rica, surrounded by an incredibly diverse tropical dry forest. The beach is well away from any of Costa Rica’s usual tourist spots, so it’s a great place to relax on an empty tropical beach and bathe in the blue waters.
At the very end of the beach is an estuary where numerous aquatic birds congregate at dawn and dusk.
Playa Zapotillal
Step onto a postcard-perfect beach only accessible by a hike.
If you dream of swimming in crystal waters and lying on a remote tropical beach without another person in sight, Playa Zapotillal may fulfill your dreams.
The Papagayo Peninsula of the North Pacific is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and stunningly transparent water. Much of the peninsula is difficult to access if you’re not staying in a resort, but the small, sheltered cove can be accessed by hiking through the tropical dry forest from Cabuyal.
Playa Hermosa
This gorgeous white sand beach welcomes snorkelers, scuba divers, sunbathers, and swimmers.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Hotel El Velero
Hermosa Beach lives up to its name as a beautiful beach that attracts both tourists and locals to its dark sand. The tropical water is warm and the shoreline is bordered by greens, providing shade perfect for reclining back and sipping a cold coconut water.
Marionnettes du Luxembourg, located in the Jardin du Luxembourg
Playas del Coco
Watch a beautiful Pacific sunset from the sands of this stunning beach.
Playas del Coco is a gently curved beach that forms a calm bay perfect for anchoring fishing boats and taking a dip in the ocean. The quaint coastal town is full of coastal charm and culture that embodies Costa Rica’s motto of pura vida (pure life).
Many individuals claim the sunsets from Playas del Coco are some of the best in the entire country.
Playa Flamingo
Bury your feet in the fine white sand and crystal blue waters of the beautiful Playa Flamingo.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Lodge Nearby: 360 Splendor Del Pacifico
Often praised as Costa Rica`s premier beach, Flamingo Beach immediately reveals why upon one`s arrival at its white sandy shore. Calm, clear waters nearly always linger thanks to cliffs flanking the beach that shelter it from surf.
These same cliffs create small secluded beaches accessible by scrambling over the rocks off the main beach.
Playa Carbon
This secluded coastal location boasts glittering black sand and the opportunity for snorkeling.
Playa Carbon is a small coastal location found Just North of Tamarindo and Playa Grande. The little cove is notable for its incredibly black, sparkling volcanic sand.
The beach is also a superb area to snorkel in Costa Rica. Be certain to look for sea creatures in the natural rocky pools. Some of my favorite finds were brightly colored nudibranchs and a tiny octopus.
🤿 Important Packing Items: To fully enjoy these beaches to their fullest potential, be sure to bring a snorkeling equipment set!
Playa Grande
Surf, sunbathe, and observe giant nesting turtles on this extended stretch of lovely coastline.
Playa Grande is a wide, sandy Pacific beach well-known for its fantastic surfing waves. Compared to the neighboring town of Tamarindo, it`s usually less crowded, less developed, and has a more relaxed atmosphere.
The beach is also within the boundaries of Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas, a protected coastal region in Costa Rica devoted to safeguarding the nesting habitat of the critically endangered East Pacific leatherback turtle.
In the past, thousands of turtle nests used to incubate on the beach each year, a figure that has dwindled into the teens in recent years. During nesting season (September-February) you can enroll in a tour to witness nesting turtles.
Tamarindo Beach
Enjoy the lovely beach and all of the bars, eateries, and clubs on the sand.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Sueño del Mar
Playa Tamarindo in Costa Rica draws many visitors due to the diversity of activities available there. As one of the nation`s most expansive and developed beach towns, Tamarindo offers experiences to suit all tastes.
People come to Santa Catalina Island for different reasons. Some come to experience the surfing waves, others come to enjoy the beach bars, and others wish to admire the underwater world by snorkeling or scuba diving offshore.
🤿 Also See: Top Diving Sites in Costa Rica
Ostional Beach
Ramble among the prehistoric creatures at the shore that receives more nesting sea turtles than nearly any other place in the globe.
While Ostional may appear to be a rather unremarkable beach in comparison to the many gems along its coasts, Ostional is potentially the most unique and special. The lengthy stretch of dark sand is one of the most significant sea turtle nesting habitats globally.
In a rare mass nesting occurrence called an arribada, hundreds of thousands of olive ridley sea turtles will come to Ostional to nest over a few days. While this happening is not always predictable, it tends to transpire monthly from September through November.
Nosara (Playa Guiones)
Connect with nature at this relaxing, peaceful beach known for its great surf conditions.
Nosara Beach, nestled amid jungle surroundings on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, is renowned as a place forintrospection and communing with nature.
The beach and small surrounding town are famous destinations for yogis and yoga retreats as well as surfers drawn by the large Pacific waves.
Playa Samara
Enjoy sand, sunshine, blue water, and a refreshing beachside drink.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Lodge Nearby: Villas Kalimba
Samara Beach is a cheerful, enjoyable beach and one of my favorite coastal towns in Costa Rica. Walking further down the long, wide shoreline away from the community allows one to find more secluded, less crowded areas to unwind.
However, those wishing to meet fellow travelers can hang out at Samara`s beachside bars and restaurants, enjoying tropical drinks along the ocean.
Playa Barrigona
Take a dip in the clear blue water and relax in the shade of this pristine beach .
Playa Barrigona is located off the well-traveled tourist routes (literally down a dirt road), but it’s certainly worth the expedition. The small beach boasts soft sand, unique coastal vegetation, an estuary that hosts many birds, and some of the most beautiful blue water you can envision.
It is among my favored white sand beaches because of its seclusion and privacy.
Playa Carrillo
String up a hammock between these picturesque palm tree-lined beach.
Positioned just south of Samara, Playa Carrillo can be a favorite beach amongst the locals. The palm tree-lined, white sand beach is great for establishing up a hammock and loosening up within the shade between dips inside the warm blue water.
Sip a coconut drink and relax on the sand as a break from the activity of Samara.
Santa Teresa Beach
Enter paradise on this expansive shore renowned for its beauty and fantastic surfing.
📍 Google Maps geographic locator | 🛎️ Where to Reside Nearby: Fuego Lodge housing
Santa Teresa is a paradisical jungle beach located on the Nicoya Peninsula. The area remains fairly undisturbed so that tropical rainforest extends directly to the sandy shoreline, making it ideal for relaxation. Santa Teresa is also renowned as one of Costa Rica’s top beaches for surfing.
Montezuma Beach
Bathe in a secluded cove with sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
Playa Montezuma, located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, serves as a gathering place for not only human visitors but also whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. The rocky coastline contains delightful tide pools large enough for bathing and exploring marine life.
A boat cruise will take you offshore where you’re likely to see many kinds of animals found in Costa Rica.
Jacó
Surf, swim, sunbathe, party, and repeat at this high-energy beach.
- Top Hotels: Minos Beach Art Hotel – St. Nicolas Bay Resort – Mantraki
Playa Jaco is the Pacific beach closest to Costa Rica`s capital city, San Jose. As such, it attracts sizable crowds of daytime and weekend visitors wanting to enjoy the ocean and vibrant surroundings. The town is one of the most evolved beach communities in Costa Rica, with many hotels, restaurants, and bars, making it an ideal escape for those seeking nightlife after their beach days.
Manuel Antonio Beach
Travel through the jungle-like area to arrive at a stunning beach with white sand and turquoise colored water.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Places to Lodge Nearby: The Falls at Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is celebrated as one of the most beautiful and accessible in Costa Rica. The coastal national park contains miles of dense rainforest that provides habitat for many animals such as sloths and monkeys.
Beyond the jungle, you’ll come across a spectacular beach of bright white sand and vivid blue water which conceals coral reefs and an assortment of sea creatures.
Playa Dominical
Take in the sounds of crashing waves mixed with the loud noises of the jungle.
Playa Dominical is the coastal beach closest to the tranquil beach town of the same name located in the central Pacific region of Costa Rica. The lengthy sandy beach is concealed from the road and community by greenery, giving it a more secluded ambiance than it truly has, but with eateries and bars nearby.
Uvita Beach
Walk the pristine Pacific coast scanning for whales that commonly pass by.
📍 Maps Site | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: Beachside Lodging
Stretching out from the core Pacific coast of Costa Rica is a whale-tail-molded national park called Marino Ballena National Park. Coincidentally, Uvita Beach, the calm stretch of sand located in the park, is also an exceptional place to spot whales creating their migrations through Costa Rican waters. Even without whales, a harsh coast is a beautiful place for a walk.
Uvita is also the location of the annual Envision Fest, a music and art festival held on the beach.
Cocalito Beach
Explore an hidden swimming hole, accessible via a jungle hike.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Remain Nearby: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge
Situated along the ruggedly stunning Osa Peninsula, Cocalito is a hidden, breathtaking beach just south of Drake Bay. To find the beach requires hiking down a demanding forest trail, but the effort is worth it.
Rock formations on either side and the dense rainforest behind create a sense of privacy and calm.
Playa San Josecito
Relax in the sand, stroll along the jungle path, or snorkel among coral at this protected beach.
When I close my eyes and envision my ideal location, Playa San Josecito appears. The small cove is sheltered from waves by rocky protrusions and the calm, transparent water has allowed coral reefs and tropical fish to inhabit the seafloor. After snorkeling around the little cove, you can make your way to the white sandy beach, bordered with palm trees.
To get to Playa San Josecito you can either hike along a strenuous jungle path for a few miles or pay for a ride from a boat from Drake Bay.
Llorona Beach
Witness a waterfall cascading straight onto the sand of this rugged jungle coastline.
Llorona Beach is situated within the remarkably biodiverse Corcovado National Park, which has been described as the most ecologically varied place on Earth.
Walking along this remote beach evokes visions of pre-human times, as development is nowhere to be seen nearby. Therefore, it serves as a wonderful wildlife viewing site. At the beach`s end, a stunning waterfall forms where the Corcovado River empties into the sea.
Playa Matapalo
Take in the wild jungle and calm blue water at this remote Pacific beach.
At the farthest tip of the Osa Peninsula, in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, lies the stunning Matapalo Beach. The surrounding area is characterized by dense rainforest that spills over from the nearby Corcovado National Park.
While you’re floating in the warm water, you can look up at the trees and watch scarlet macaws flit from tree to tree and squirrel monkies leaping around the canopy.
👉 Jump back to the top: Scenic coastal areas on the Pacific coast
Next, we`ll examine the finest Coast Rica beaches along the Caribbean coast:
Manzanillo
Wandering through a bright green jungle leads to secluded pockets of Caribbean beaches.
The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful protected area with both a cheerful tropical rainforest (full of monkeys, sloths, and colorful birds) and a Caribbean beach.
A leisurely walk through the forest leads to several small, secluded beaches with options to choose from. One of the iconic views in Manzanillo is of Isla Punta Mona, a tiny island just offshore.
Playa Punta Uva
Immerse yourself in the transparent azure waters of the Caribbean.
If you’re staying in the lively backpacker town of Puerto Viejo and want a break from the crowds, Playa Punta Uva nearby offers a haven of calmness.
The light sand and cheerful green foliage will fulfill all your Caribbean beach fantasies, complete with bright turquoise water, white sand, and swaying coconut trees.
Punta Cocles
Enjoy the finest surfing on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline.
🥾 Fond of Hiking? View my guide to the top 15 hikes in Colorado!
Those who enjoy large waves and warm ocean temperatures should bring their board to Playa Cocles just south of Puerto Viejo. This is one of the most frequented sandy beaches near the tourist town, often with backpackers and visitors sunbathing, drinking beers, and hanging hammocks among the trees.
Playa Puerto Viejo
Embrace the laid-back Caribbean vibes while lounging on this lovely seaside beach.
📍 Google Maps | 🛎️ Where to Stay Nearby: La Tica y la Gata
The community of Puerto Viejo is a tangible manifestation of relaxed Caribbean vibes, complete with Bob Marley imagery, colorful structures, and reggae tunes. The shore on which the town is located is no different and the gentle Caribbean waters gently touch a rocky bank lined with swaying palm trees.
👉 Pro Tip: Be certain to try “rice and beans”, an incredible coconut dish containing rice, beans, and generally chicken in a coconut based sauce.
Playa Blanca, Cahuita
Enjoy quintessential Caribbean blue water and underwater coral at this jungle-lined beach.
Cahuita is one of my favorite shorelines in Costa Rica because it has virtually everything you could want from a tropical shoreline – coral reef, golden sand, calm waves, and dense, undeveloped jungle that spills onto the sand.
The forest is full of wildlife like inquisitive monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds. Furthermore, the laid-back beach is rarely crowded despite its beauty.
Tortuguero
Witness ancient green sea turtles nesting on this rugged coastline.
For sea turtle watching, Tortuguero is the uncontested winning beach. The National Park was the birthplace of sea turtle conservation and is now the most important nesting habitat for green sea turtles globally and receives thousands of nests each year.
It was the first place I witnessed a turtle depositing her nest and it was one of the most unique wildlife experiences I’ve had. You can also often see baby sea turtles making their way towards the water. Visit from June through November for the best chances of viewing turtles.
FAQs About Beaches in Costa Rica
What part of Costa Rica has the best beaches?
Guanacaste, the northwestern part of Costa Rica has some of the most attractive beaches in the country. Their unique white sands and transparent blue water, often bounded by vivid green plants sets them apart from other beaches in the country.
Are there swimmable beaches in Costa Rica?
Many of Costa Rica’s beaches are reasonably safe to swim in, though it’s always important to practice water safety protocols. Very few beaches in Costa Rica have lifeguards, so swimmers must use personal judgement to determine if they feel comfortable in the water. If there are large waves on the beach and there aren’t many people in the water, it’s safest remaining out of the water as well. If there is any uncertainty, locals can be asked if the water is safe, since they will have the best understanding of potential dangers.
Are there any nice beaches in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is renowned for its stunningly beautiful beaches, both on the pacific coast as well as the Caribbean coast. Whether your ideal beach day is out snorkeling, surfing, swimming, or just relaxing on the sand, there is a beach in Costa Rica for you.
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Costa Rica signifies “rich coast” in Spanish and with its numerous spectacular beaches, the country lives up to its name! Next, be sure to check out my guide on when to visit Costa Rica when planning your voyage.
Enjoy these beautiful Costa Rica beaches!
