Costa Rica is known not only for its lush jungle rainforest but also for its stunning coastline. The country is flanked by both the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean which opens it up to a diverse range of beaches.
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From tropical white sand beaches to black sand beauties, there are Costa Rican beaches to suit every taste.
Best Beaches in Costa Rica
Besides breathtaking beauty, some of the best beaches Costa Rica are ideal for outdoor adventures. Whether you are into swimming, surfing, snorkelling, or spending the day with your little ones by the coast – there are beautiful beaches that will suit your fancy.
These are the best beaches in Costa Rica based on your likings. So, grab your maps of Costa Rica beaches and head out to explore!
Best Swimming Beaches in Costa Rica
Playa Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas
This beautiful white sand beach is located inside Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll have to hike 30 minutes into the park to reach Playa Manuel Antonio but you will be glad you did. The path to the beach is flat and easy to navigate and there is a good chance that you’ll spot some monkeys, sloths, or toucans along the way.
Playa Manuel Antonio is known as one of the nicest beaches in Costa Rica. It is backed by the lush green jungle and is known for its white sand and turquoise Costa Rica ocean. The beach forms a bay and the waters are calm making it a great place to spend the day swimming as well as snorkelling.
There are no food facilities at this beach (which is part of the charm of some of the prettiest beaches in Costa Rica) so you will have to pack a picnic. For the protection of the animals who live there, the park is tough on what food visitors can bring in so make sure you read their list of prohibited food and drink before attempting to enter.
READ NEXT: Top Tips for Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
Playa Carrillo, Guanacaste
Playa Carrillo is located in a bay just south of Samara, one of the best beach towns in Costa Rica. It is renowned for being one of the cleanest beaches in Costa Rica and is known for its palm-fringed shore, mountain ranges in the distance as well as clear waters. It’s also one of the calmest beaches in Costa Rica.
It is an idyllic place to spend the afternoon sunbathing and swimming. We consider it one of the best beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. However, part of its charm comes from its total lack of infrastructure on the beach. So if you’re going to be spending the day ensure you bring drinks, snacks, and a beach towel or hammock with you to one of the top beaches in Costa Rica – Playa Carillo.
READ NEXT: Guide to Exploring the Beach Town of Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste
Playa Flamingo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica with expats thanks to a number of apartment rentals and condo developments in close proximity. It is located just 25kms from Tamarindo, heading north and is known for its lively atmosphere, soft white sand, and clear waters.
Playa Flamingo forms a sheltered bay so the waves are generally calm here making it a great place to go for a dip. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, and tour operators right on the beach where you can grab a drink, bite to eat, or sign up for an activity.
If you are looking for places to stay in Costa Rica on the beach, Playa Flamingo may offer some good options. The area is home to a number of hotels located within a short walking distance from the beach.
READ NEXT: Guide to Visiting Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
Playa Uvita, Puntarenas
Playa Uvita is one of the wilder Costa Rica Pacific beaches. It is located inside Marino Ballena National Park and can only be reached on foot. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Playa Uvita from the entrance of the park. However, the seclusion is not the only thing that makes this beautiful black sand beach Costa Rica special.
It is known as the home of the “whale’s tail”, a sand break that looks like a whale tail from the air. It is only visible at low tide so if you want to see it up close, visit then. The whale tail is a very fitting icon of the park since Marino Ballena National Park is one of the top Costa Rica destinations known for whale watching. They migrate past the shores of this best beach in Costa Rica every July to November and December to April.
Playa Uvita is also a great place to swim and go for a snorkel. The beach is wide and spacious and when the water is low, the tide pools around the whale’s tail are perfect for the whole family. So pack a picnic, a towel, and spend the day in the waters of one of the best Costa Rica beaches. Be sure to plan your visit to coincide with the tides so that you don’t get stuck out in the ocean when the tide comes in!
READ NEXT: 7 Things to do in Punta Uvita, Costa Rica
Best Beaches in Costa Rica for Snorkeling
Playa Conchal, Guanacaste
This pristine stretch of Costa Rica coast is known for being the only shell beach in the country, making it a unique beach to visit during your trip. Playa Conchal is a great destination for swimming and is known as one of the best places to snorkel in Costa Rica. However, there can sometimes be some moderate waves so ensure you are a decent swimmer before jumping in the waters.
Expect to find an array of colourful fish and marine life just offshore at Playa Conchal. The waters are clear in the Costa Rica oceans here but you will have the best luck spotting tropical fish at the rock formations on the far side of the beach.
There is only one downside to Playa Conchal – it’s not easy to get to. To preserve the beach and reduce the number of visitors, the government has recently prohibited parking at Playa Conchal. So visitors now have to park at the nearby Playa Brasilito and walk some 500m to Conchal beach. The alternative is to stay at the Westin Reserva Playa Conchal, an upscale all-inclusive resort located just steps away from the beach.
Playa Conchal is one of the best beaches near Liberia, Costa Rica for those looking to reach the beach soon after arriving in the country.
READ NEXT: What you Need to Know about Visiting Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
Playa Cahuita, Limon
This exotic stretch of beautiful beach is one of the top Costa Rica beach destinations on the Caribbean Coast of the country. It is a great spot for swimming and snorkelling and can be accessed from in town or via Cahuita National Park.
The national park’s protection extends into the water. So you can expect to see coral reefs alive with fish and other marine life. Over 35 types of coral and over 120 different types of fish have been spotted in the waters here making it one of the best Costa Rica Caribbean beaches for marine life spotting.
The area around Cahuita and Cahuita itself has remained fairly underdeveloped so expect an empty, wide-open beach.
Best Beaches in Costa Rica for Families
Playa San Juanillo, Guanacaste
Playa San Juanillo, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, is one of our personal favourites and is definitely one of the best beaches to visit in Costa Rica. But to truly appreciate this spot, you must visit at high tide, when it is at its best. At high tide, the beach comes to form a headland with rocky outcrops on each side.
Playa San Juanillo is backed by jungle and at the south end of the beach, you will find a cove where fishermen like to store their boats away from the open water. The little ones will love to see iguanas scuttering along the shore and the beach is suitable for swimming.
There is not much in the way of facilities but there are a few nearby restaurants. It’s one of the lesser-known beaches that definitely deserve a spot on your best beaches in Costa Rica map.
Playa Montezuma, Puntarenas
Located on the Nicoya Peninsula near the bohemian town of Montezuma is its namesake beach, Playa Montezuma. It is one of the larger Costa Rica Pacific Coast beaches with lots of things to do.
It’s easy to spend a day on the beach sunbathing and swimming (although be careful the beach drops off quickly) but it’s more fun to venture a little further up the beach to discover the rock formation, Piedra Colorado, and its adjoining natural reserve. There are some nearby restaurants, so you can grab a bite and some refreshments whenever the mood strikes.
READ NEXT: Sustainable Guide to Visiting Montezuma, Costa Rica
Playa Cocles, Limon
This 4 km beach is known for its laid back vibe, a vast array of things to do, and as one of the best family beaches in Costa Rica. Located on the Caribbean Coast, it is the most well-developed beach in the area and the closest beach to the town of Puerto Viejo.
Playa Cocles is a popular spot for surfing. However, it is also a haven for sunseekers and beach lovers. You can expect to see families and friends playing beach games and lounging on the shore.
It is not the best beach for swimming since currents can be strong. However, families will like it because it is only the beach in the area with lifeguards patrolling and because there are nearby restaurants, tour operators, and facilities.
Best Surfing Beaches in Costa Rica
Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Playa Tamarindo Costa Rica is perhaps the most popular beach in Costa Rica and one of the best Costa Rica surf towns. Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica has come a long way from its roots as a sleepy fishing village. Today, the town offers a lively stay, known for its great surfing and nightlife.
Here you’ll find travelers of all walks of life making their way down to the beach to sunbathe, surf, or simply watch the sunset at the best beach area in Costa Rica. You can swim but be wary of the advisories.
The beach is long and sandy and famous as a surf mecca. But, don’t be discouraged if you are just starting out. There are some great surf schools in town that will introduce you to more mellow areas of the beach break. To sum up, the surf here is particularly good for beginners.
READ NEXT: The Local’s Guide to Things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Playa Avellanas, Guanacaste
Located in Guanacaste, just 30min south of Tamarindo, Playa Avellanas is another great surf spot. However, it is a much more relaxing beach in contrast to Tamarindo. La Purruja, El Palo, and El Estero and Little Hawaii are some of the breaks that make Avellanas one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for surfers for all levels. There are good waves for beginners and some more challenging ones for experienced surfers too.
When you are finished in the water and have worked up an appetite we recommend you head to Lola’s. This awesome restaurant on the beach is famous for its pet pigs – the late Lola herself and the current set of piglets, Ave and Anna.
The beach is popular with families and couples. If you ask any locals, they’ll tell you that Playa Avellanas is one of the most famous beaches in Costa Rica. Come here during Christmas or Easter Week and you’ll see tons of locals from near and far enjoying this beautiful stretch of sand.
READ NEXT: Things to do in Playa Avellanas Costa Rica, Local’s Favourite Beach in Guanacaste
Playa Guiones, Guanacaste
Located in Nosara, one of the best Costa Rica beach towns, Playa Guiones is one of the top Costa Rica surf spots and one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. This 7 km yellow sand beach has waves for every skill level, from beginner to advanced. But more than that it is just a great place to sunbathe, relax, as well as watching the sunset.
A few hundred metres of the beach has been awarded a Blue Flag Ecology Award for its water quality and the maintenance of the beach. Plus, it is located close to Nosara town centre so you can be within walking distance to great restaurants and other amenities you might need on your Costa Rica beach vacation.
READ NEXT: Visiting Nosara, Costa Rica – A Surfing Expat Community in Nicoya Peninsula
Playa Santa Teresa, Puntarenas
The town of Santa Teresa and the nearby Malpais offers another great surfing spot on the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Playa Santa Teresa offers a long stretch of sand with plenty of good sand breaks, while further along the coast, Malpais is more known for its point breaks.
The town of Santa Teresa has a great laid back feeling with lots of shops, restaurants and bars lining the bumpy main town road. There are accommodation options to suit every budget and a few really nice Costa Rica beach resorts.
READ NEXT: Things to do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica: A Surfers Paradise in the Nicoya Peninsula
Frequently Asked Questions about Costa Rica Beaches
What are the best beaches near Liberia, Costa Rica?
As the capital of the Guanacaste province and the home of the international airport, most people often wonder which are the best Liberia, Costa Rica beaches. However, what they don’t realize is that Liberia is a landlocked city. The closest beaches to the state capital are the beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, particularly those near the Papagayo Peninsula.
Here are a few to consider:
- Playa Hermosa is located just a short 35-minute drive from Liberia. It is a lively beach with swimming, snorkelling, and nearby restaurants.
- Playa del Coco, or Coco Beach, Costa Rica is another beach close to Liberia airport. It’s located only 30 minutes from Liberia Airport which makes it a popular beach destination in Guanacaste. The town has lots of restaurants and bars, and while the beach itself is not the prettiest, the town offers plenty of accommodation options and amenities thanks to a large expat population
READ NEXT: Essential Guide to Visiting Playa del Coco in Costa Rica
What are the best San Jose, Costa Rica beaches?
You definitely wouldn’t call San Jose one of the best beach towns in Costa Rica. Like Liberia, this bustling city is landlocked and there aren’t any beaches in San Jose, Costa Rica to visit (despite what they made you believe in Jurassic Park). You’ll have to travel to the coast to experience the beaches Costa Rica is famous for.
Playa Jaco, or Jaco Beach, Costa Rica is located about an hour and a half by car from San Jose and is known as one of the best beaches near San Jose, Costa Rica. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country for its nightlife and array of activities.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica on the Beach?
You’ll find lots of hotels all around the country located on the beach, or as close as a few hundred meters away. As a rule of thumb, many all-inclusive hotels and Costa Rica resorts offer private beach access. If you want to avoid big resorts, there are a few smaller boutique hotels that can provide similar beachfront access.
READ NEXT: Best Places To Stay In Costa Rica
Where are Costa Rica Pink Sand Beaches?
While there are no vivid pink beaches in Costa Rica, there are a few beaches across the country that boast a light pinkish hue. These include:
- Playa Penca near Potrero in Guanacaste is a small beach that runs along a secluded cove just north of Playa Potrero.
- Playa Rosada, just north of Playa Pelada in Nosara is another “pink” beach in Guanacaste where tiny pink rocks give the sand a pinkish hue.
