When you think of a tropical vacation getaway, you probably imagine white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. If that’s your dream vacation, then Costa Rica should be at the top of your list. From Playa Conchal to Manzanillo Bach, Costa Rica is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Costa Rica’s coast is lined with both ivory white and jet black sand beaches as well as shady palm trees, coral reefs, colorful sea shells, and a wide array of marine and bird life. At dusk, Costa Rica offers visitors a glimpse at some of the most idyllic sunsets they’ve ever seen. You’ll feel like you’re living in a postcard almost every evening as the climate in Costa Rica is frequently sublime and the sunsets never dissapoint.
Whether you’ve come to dine, party, snorkel, scuba dive, surf, or sunbathe, Costa Rica’s beach towns are nothing short of world-class. Let’s explore some of these stunning Costa Rican coastal gems and learn why they are so beloved by visitors from around the globe.
Viewcation Presents: The Best Beaches In Costa Rica
Playa Conchal
Located on the country’s northwestern coast, Playa Conchal is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations for both locals and tourists. The beach is arguably the most beautiful one in Costa Rica, as it’s covered in a thin dusting of pulverized seashells.
It features an expansive white sand beach framed by lush foliage and palm trees, making for a picturesque setting that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The waters here are home to a vast assortment of marine life, including manta rays, sea turtles, and colorful coral reefs.
Punta Uva
Right off a dirt road that’s marked by the Punta Uva Dive Center, you’ll find a serene, quiet cove that could easily double for a scene featured in the film The Beach. There are normally at least a few locals on surfboards out on the water or lounging out on the beach. The coral reef found here is perfect for activities like snorkeling and bodyboarding. When the waves are just right, this spot is fairly well-suited for intermediate surfers.
Playa Espadilla Sur
This beach is just a half-hour hike from Manuel Antonio National Park’s entrance. It’s an exposed beach that’s just north of Punta Catedral and is known for it’s white sand and lush tropical forest backdrop. As tempting as it might be, swimming at this beach can be quite dangerous. If you do choose to swim out a bit, be advised that the currents can be quite powerful. Along the beach, you’ll find bathrooms, showers, and drinking fountains. We recommend, however, packing a picnic, a good book to read, and lots of UV shielding lotion.
Playa Santa Teresa
This beach is one of the best in Costa Rica for surfing. Just bear in mind that the waves can be rough, and the rip currents make swimming particularly challenging and potentially hazardous. Besides surfing and beach lounging, Santa Teresa’s beaches often serve as a gathering place for locals and tourists – especially at sunset when the sky is illuminated with the most glorious reds, oranges, and yellows.
Visitors can also enjoy activities such as water rafting, hiking, and bird watching in the surrounding area. In town, you’ll find numerous luxury boutique hotels, resorts, restaurants and cafes.
Playa Hermosa
Located just south of Playa Conchal is Playa Hermosa (which means “beautiful beach”). This stretch of coastline has become increasingly popular with surfers who come here to ride its powerful waves, which can reach heights up to 20 feet! The beach also offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing in its calm waters or lounging out on its sandy shoreline while taking in its breathtaking views.
At high tide, the beach nearly disappears. Between high and low tide, is surf tide. Around this time of day, you’ll see countless surfers out on the water doing their thing. While surfers have long flocked to Playa Hermosa, it’s also particularly popular with families.
Playa Ventanas
Nestled behind a grove of lush coco palms on the Pacific Coast, this half-moon crescent-shaped, black sand and pebble-covered beach is renowned for it’s elaborate rock formations on both ends. It’s name, Ventanas, means windows. It likely earned this name because of how on the northern end of the beach there are a few caves that are big enough to walk into.
As the oceans crashes through these caves, visitors can hear a distinct roar. It’s a phenomenal experience to see and hear! Unfortunately, there aren’t any services here, but you can buy coconut water or other snacks from vendors who post up on the beach.
Playa Flamingo
One of Central America’s most incredible coastal destinations, Playa Flamingo is located on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is known for its pink sand beaches as well as it’s small sandy cove. In town, you’ll find an array of high-end lodging options offering stunning views. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, as there are many coral reefs nearby. It’s pristine blue waters, lagoons, and foliage make this the perfect location to relax, play, and even party!
Playa Grande
Playa Grande, like Playa Flamingo, is located on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is known for its surfable waves and Leatherback turtle nesting grounds. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, as well as for watching those majestic turtles lay their eggs. Fun Fact: the Leatherback Turtle is nature’s largest marine reptile! Las Baulas National Park surrounds Playa Grande beach. The park was created to protect this ancient endangered species.
Playa Grande is also home to several nearby high-end hotels and resorts, making it the perfect place to visit when you need to get out of your room. In town, you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene as well as plenty of fantastic restaurants.
Playa Cocolito
This beach is one of the quietest in Costa Rica. Here you can get the chance to see El Chorro Waterfall plummeting down a rocky cliff straight into the ocean.
It’s about a two-hour, 12-kil’=ometer hike from the town of Montezuma. If you leave right around sunrise, you should have plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife along your trek.
If walking doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can always book a horseback riding expedition to visit the beach. Once you get there, regardless of whether you arrive on foot or hoof, you’ll find a spot that has dreamy, emerald-blue waters with pink rugged cliffs. In between said cliffs, you’ll discover two warm and inviting swimming areas.
Jaco
Jaco is located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is known for its surfing beaches and lively nightlife scene.
The central coast of Costa Rica is renowned for it’s beaches, and Jaco’s are some of the country’s finest. The beach here is a popular spot for surfing, as well as for swimming and sunbathing.
The town of Jaco has grown ostensibly in the last decade or so. Back in the day, it was a sleepy little surf town with just a few dirt roads and a sparse offering of restaurants. Today, it’s grown into one of the hottest nightlife scenes in Costa Rica, earning it the designation as the party capital of the country.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a popular and lively coastal village surrounded by lush jungles and white sandy beaches. It’s located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is home to all sorts of amazing creatures like frogs, sloths, monkeys, and snakes. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, kiting, surfing and scuba diving,
Since Manuel Antonio is a place where a lot of people come to vacation, you’ll find very affordable amenities in the area as well as a few luxury ones.
Manuel Antonio National Park is the region’s biggest attraction. After paying a small entrance fee, you can easily spend the entire day following the trail map and learning about the local wildlife.
Puerto Viejo de Limon
Puerto Viejo de Limon is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is best known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful beaches. Sitting in the shadow of more popular beach towns on the Pacific Coast, Puerto Viejo de Limon is a sleepier and decidedly slower-paced destination with natural beauty that is beyond spectacular. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, photography, and picnicking. In town, you’ll find a nice assortment of restaurants featuring the culinary offerings of some of the best chefs in Costa Rica.
Playas del Coco
Playas del Coco is a water sports and recreation getaway surrounded by shady palms and lined with rocky bays located in the Guancaster region of Costa Rica. It’s known for its drop-dead gorgeous beaches, happening nightlife, and sport fishing opportunities. The beach is a popular spot, especially for families and honeymooners.
The beach is easily accessible to the public and is known for being one of Costa Rica’s best-known draws. Every year, it brings in thousands of local and international tourists. That said, it’s not the beach for travelers looking for peace and serentiy. It’s more so a beach for those that are looking to mix, mingle and party.
Playa Negra
Playa Negra is located in Guanacaste Province and is known for its black sand beaches. It’s just south of the town of Tamarindo. The closest town to Playa Negra beach is Los Pargos, which means “the snapper”.
Playa Negra experiences year-round sun and is also fairly close to the nearby reggae-loving town of Cahuita. Although the beach’s dark sand can get quite toasty around midday, there’s no need to fret, as you’ll never be far away from the crystal-clear turquoise-tinted waters of the Carribean sea. While Cahuita is very popular with swimmers and surfers, it never gets crowded, and there are ample restaurants, cafes, and bars to satiate any of your cravings.
Manzanillo Beach
For those looking for something off the beaten path, Manzanillo Beach is an excellent option. This secluded paradise is located on Costa Rica’s southeastern coast near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The town of Manzanillo has long been considered to be a hidden gem. It’s a tiny little town with a lively Afro-Carribean culture that has retained much it’s personality over the years thanks to strict regulations guiding regional development. The beach’s pristine white sands are surrounded by thick jungle vegetation which provides great wildlife spotting opportunities for those who take the time to explore it.
From the Caribbean to Pacific shores, there are no shortage of stunning beaches in Costa Rica waiting to be discovered! Whether you’re looking for wild adventure or peaceful relaxation, this Central American paradise has something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Come see why so many people have fallen in love with this tropical oasis! With such incredible options available, it’s no wonder why Costa Rica remains one of the top vacation destinations year after year!
Which Costa Rican Beach are you most excited to visit? if you’ve already been to Costa Rica before, where did you have the pleasure of visiting? Let us know in the comments, and as always, happy travels.