Located just a few miles north of Jaco in Puntarenas Province, Playa Herradura is a small fishing village turned tourist destination.
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The dark sand beach lining the horseshoe-shaped bay is a beautiful spot to visit on the central Pacific coast. With mass construction on the northern end of the beach, you’ll find large-scale resorts and hotels, boutique shopping options, and beachfront restaurants.
Plus, the marina in Herradura Bay is also well-known for water sports, including sport fishing, jet skiing, surfing, and parasailing.
Whether you’re based in Jaco or staying at one of the resorts on the beach, Playa Herradura offers a little slice of paradise to enjoy a luxury stay in Costa Rica.
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How to Get to Playa Herradura
Located right next to Jaco on the central Pacific coast, Herradura Beach is easy to reach by car or bus from various places in Costa Rica.
By Car
Playa Herradura is located just 4 kilometres north of Jacó Beach in the province of Puntarenas. This makes it less than 2 hours drive from the capital, San Jose, from where you can rent a car when landing at the international airport.
If you’re travelling from Tamarindo, the drive takes around 4.5 hours. It’s an easy drive, as the beach is located just off the main coastal road (route 34).
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By Bus/Shuttle
There is no direct public bus to Playa Herradura, but you can take any bus heading to Jaco. There are local buses from downtown San Jose to Jaco, leaving roughly every two hours and costing between $5-10 for the two-hour trip.
From Jaco, you can take a taxi for the short 4km drive to the beach.
Another option is to take one of the shared shuttles to Playa Herradura, which can stop at your chosen hotel. The private shuttle from San Jose costs $60 USD per adult with companies like Interbus, Easy Ride, and Ride CR.
Parking at Playa Herradura
There is some parking on the road that runs along the beach. This is not a secure parking lot with guards, so make sure not to leave any valuables visible and always lock your doors. On weekends and holidays, parking may be extremely tight as locals and tourists come to enjoy the beach.
Facilities at Playa Herradura
There has been plenty of construction in recent years along Playa Herradura, Costa Rica.
On the northern end, you’ll find Los Sueños Resort and Marina, shops, and restaurants. The southern end of the bay is a bit more rustic, but you’ll find bathrooms and showers in the camping areas for an extra fee.
Things to Do at Playa Herradura
There are plenty of activities to do in and around Playa Herradura, whether in the water or on land.
Try Sport Fishing
Playa Herradura is most famous for its fishing. It’s home to Costa Rica’s largest fleet of game fishing captains and boats, with vessels from 30 to 180 feet.
Los Sueños Marina is also home to two exclusive sportfishing tournaments each year, where you can cast a line for 40-pound dorado, 300-pound yellowfin tuna and big Pacific sailfish.
Relax on the Beach
Walk along the beautiful bay, and you’ll find plenty of room to sit on the beach and relax in the sun. It’s the perfect place to escape the busy resorts and find your own spot under some trees or to take a quick dip in the water.
Play Golf at Los Suenos Resort
Located within the resort complex is La Iguana Championship Golf Course, an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by Ted Robinson. Landscaped to include exotic plants attracting wildlife and birds, it’s one of the best places to play golf in Costa Rica.
The driving range is open from 7am – 4pm. There’s also an option to book a package that includes a stay at the Marriott Los Suenos Resort and a round of golf.
Go Shopping
Playa Herradura has turned into a shopper’s paradise with shopping malls and stores built in and around the resort area. Back from the beach on the main coastal road is Plaza Herradura, a shopping precinct with fast food, fashion stores, and a supermarket. You can also find some great souvenirs there at Danica Gallery, including masks, jewellery, and traditional Indigenous crafts.
Explore on Day Trips
Playa Herradura is a great base from which to explore more of Puntarenas. It’s easy to reach more beaches nearby, including the popular Playa Hermosa, the small beach of Playa Mantas, and the tucked-away Playa Bejuco. You can even go further afield to Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Spend the Day at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park
Just a short 5 km drive from Playa Herradura is this expansive Los Suenos Adventure Park.
They host a range of activities to keep people of all ages busy for a day of fun. Spend a full day tour doing zip-lining, horseback riding, and ATV riding with lunch, or a mountain biking tour through the jungle, past farms and streams, to reach a breathtaking waterfall.
FAQs:
Can you Swim at Playa Herradura?
Yes, the beach has fairly calm waves and is perfect for swimming and stand-up paddle boarding. Occasionally, the small waves are enough for beginner surfers to get out in the water, but otherwise, swimming is fairly safe.
Can you Fish at Playa Herradura?
Playa Herradura has earned itself a reputation as one of the best fishing destinations in Costa Rica. Sportfishing is the main activity at the beach, with the world-class marina home to many large, fully equipped fishing boats and the host of sport fishing competitions every year.
Avid fishermen travel to Herradura specifically for the abundant marlin, tuna, dorado and mahi mahi.
Can you Surf at Playa Herradura?
The calm waters in Playa Herradura make it not the best spot for surfing. However, it can occasionally be good for beginners when the waves build up, but otherwise, stand-up paddleboarding is more ideal.
Is Playa Herradura Safe for Families?
With its gentle waves and clear water, Playa Herradura is perfect for families. In fact, the area has been popular amongst local families for generations, and now, with more facilities, it’s one of the best day trips in Puntarenas.
Where to Stay near Playa Herradura
Playa Herradura is most well-known for its upscale hotels and large resorts.
Mid Range/Budget Hotel: Paradise Bay Hotel Boutique
This beautiful little boutique hotel is the perfect stay for those looking for a mid-range option on their vacation. Just 500m back from the beach, the hotel offers spacious studio rooms with views overlooking the outdoor pool. The onsite restaurant also serves up delicious and fresh breakfast, setting you up for a day at the beach.
Luxury Hotel: Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
For a luxurious stay, you can’t go past Los Suenos Marriott Resort, the centrepiece of Playa Herradura town. The resort is vast, with all sorts of amenities to suit a range of holiday goers, including a kids’ club, private beach, access to the golf course, fitness center, outdoor pool, and several restaurants and bars. Rooms range from king rooms with a hammock to larger ocean-view king suites.
Best Restaurants near Playa Herradura
From classy Italian restaurants to beachfront bars, there’s a range of places to eat in Playa Herradura. Seafood is a clear standout across the board, so you can get excited for fresh and delicious fish.
El Pelicano Restaurant
Located on the white sand beach south of the marina and resort area, this seafood restaurant is the ultimate tucked-away gem for sunset drinks and dinner. Some of the highlights include lobster tacos, tuna burgers, and ceviche, with all the seafood coming in fresh from the marina. It’s a casual place, but the food and service bring it all up a notch.
Restaurante Lanterna
Located on the marina in Herradura Beach, this Italian restaurant occupies the perfect spot for a romantic dinner. From delicious steak to grilled octopus, it’s more of an indulgent affair with high-end prices to match.
Casita Del Sabor
On the main coastal road outside of Playa Herradura, this restaurant is a rustic, local affair. Serving generous meals all day long, you can order everything from pancakes at breakfast to ceviche and grilled whole fish for lunch.
The Bottom Line
This fishing village turned luxury resort destination has a lot of things going for it on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. From the world-class golf course and large-scale marina to a long stretch of walkable sand and calm water, it offers the perfect escape for those looking for comfort and style in Puntarenas Province.
