More than 30 of Costa Rica’s best Beaches…
Including lesser-known secret spots!
For travelers who crave the beach, it’s hard to beat the dynamic coastlines of Costa Rica. With its west coast bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on the east coast, there are 1,228 kilometers of coastline in this tropical paradise. It’s not hard to see why Costa Rica has gained the reputation of having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
With jungle-clad shores, waves for every level of surfer, ocean sunsets OR sunrises to pick from, laid-back communities full of charm, soft white sand or unique black sand, and hidden away coves or nearly empty long stretches of sand… there’s something for everyone. If you want to maximize your Costa Rican holiday with a curated list of perfect ocean vistas, be sure to read this comprehensive list of Costa Rica’s best beaches:
Local vibes
Playa Grande
Located in the Guanacaste province, Playa Grande is a part of the Las Baulas National Park. It is a highly protected region due to being a nesting location for leatherback turtles and other breeds of sea turtles. The 3km of undeveloped beach is blissfully peaceful and the laid-back surfing community offers just enough to do while also maintaining a highly relaxed vibe. Walk around the sandy point at the north end of Playa Grande and find another idyllic beach - the perfect crescent of Playa Ventanas. Continue from the north end of Playa Ventanas on a path through the trees and over a small hill and you’ll find yourself at Playa Carbon, a secluded black and white sand beach with serene waters great for snorkeling.
Samara
Considered one of Costa Rica’s most overlooked beaches due to its a calm and remote vibe, Samara offers miles of palm trees and soothing clear water. Although it’s a bit off the beaten path, it still has a vibrant atmosphere and friendly locals who gather on the beach for sunset. Close to Samara and accessible via a bumpy dirt road, you can reach Playa Barrigona, a hidden-away white sand beach surrounded by mountains and forests.
Dominical
While it is somewhat popular with backpackers and surfers, it still has a remote bohemian vibe complete with unpaved roads and laid-back locals. Along the beach there are many vendors selling locally made gifts and other souvenirs. Join the surfers in the water or grab a cocktail and watch the show. Dominical has very fine, darker colored sand, and the sunsets are truly magical. Next to Dominical is the quieter cove of Playa Dominicalito, also with dark, very fine sand and a tranquil ‘immersed in nature’ vibe.
Punta Uva
This seaside town is just down the road from Puerto Viejo (see below) on the Caribbean coast, and known for its reef-protected waters and calm atmosphere. If you want to explore Punta Uva, renting a bike is the way to go. It is also a great destination for snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, and paddle-boarding. For those seeking a relaxed vibe with plenty of Caribbean flavor, this is a surefire win. Just north of Punta Uva is the beautiful white-sand beach of Playa Chiquita, and a bit north of that is Playa Cocles, another gorgeous beach.
Remove Me from Civilization
Manzanillo
A truly great option if you want a beach that is secluded and different, Manzanillo is protected by wetland, mangroves, palm swamps, lowland rainforests, and even a coral reef. Many who have enjoyed Manzanillo will agree they could spend days without bumping into anybody else. Manzanillo is located in in the Limon region along the Caribbean coast, just down the road from Punta Uva. Hike to the Mirador Manzanillo for spectacular views of the coastline.
Playa Biesanz
This low-key beach is located very near to the busy Manuel Antonio National Park. It is special due to its proximity to the wilderness and wildlife, and for its peaceful atmosphere despite being so close to the more crowded hotspots of Manuel Antonio and Jaco (mentioned below). The trail down to the beach is a great chance to see some of the wildlife Costa Rica has to offer so keep your eyes open for any surprises.
Playa Llorona
A beach surrounded by tropical forests located within the Corcovado National Park, it also known for a waterfall running straight into the ocean from the Llorona river. Not only does this beach have amazing views, but it’s remote and perfect for hiking and admiring nature. To get here you have to walk from the San Pedrillo Station for approximately 3 hours; the walk is beautiful and many species may be easily spotted from the trail.
Playa Carate
Situated near Corcovado National Park, Carate is often referred to as one of the country’s best-kept secrets since few tourists know of its existence. Surrounded by lush primary rainforest, it’s the perfect spot from which to explore the 41,788-hectare National Park. It is also known as a great place to catch sea turtles in their natural habitat - Pacific Ridley, Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill sea turtles can all be found here.
All For The Views
Malpaís
Although its name translated from Spanish is “badlands”, this slice of heaven represents the complete opposite. Known for its calm atmosphere and one of a kind sunsets, Malpaís is located at the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The entire area of Playa Carmen and Santa Teresa (a surf hotspot mentioned below) may together be referred to as ‘Malpaís’ so keep that in mind. Beyond surf, you can enjoy water sports like fishing, diving, kite surfing and snorkeling. With unique volcanic formations along the shore the scenery around this small beach town is stunning.
Playa Conchal
A beach that gets its name due to the many conchas (shells), washed up on the beach and creating the ‘sand’ under your feet. Tiny sea-weathered bits of seashell make up the majority of the beach, creating a beautiful and unique look. Conchal is known as a great destination for snorkeling due its coral and plenty of tropical fish, as well as its typically calm waters. Having gained quite a bit of popularity through the years, and with a couple of very large resorts located nearby, this is a busier destination especially during high season.
Costa Ballena - Whales tail
A particular area of coastline south of Dominical boasts a wonderfully special claim - not only is it a great region for spotting whales but also when viewed from above it creates the perfect ‘whales tail’ shape. The one of a kind coastline is made up of two beautiful beaches, Playa Uvita and Playa Hermosa. With incredible biodiversity it’s the perfect getaway for nature geeks and eco-travelers. Nearby you can also visit Playa Arco at low tide, a remote beach with a through cave formed by a large rocky arch, and accessible via a short hiking trail from La Cusinga Eco-lodge.
Playa Danta
Located in Guanacaste, this unique beach offers a different vibe than many nearby options in the province. Darker, fine sand spreads down a crescent of tree-lined coast with snorkeling, kayaking and paddle-boarding, available. Playa Danta is the beachfront of a consciously crafted community called Las Catalinas, with a distinct European vibe that offers short and longterm rentals lining car-free cobblestoned paths, some perched along the hill and looking down over sweeping views of the area. Hike to Playa Dantita along an easy trail if you’re craving a small tranquil cove. Nearby, the secluded Sugar Beach is accessed by a trail from the road and is often completely empty, with stunning coastline views.
Adventure Getaway
Montezuma
A remote destination, Montezuma is perfect for trekkers and hiking lovers with its location on the far edge of the Nicoya Peninsula. Montezuma stretches out into the ocean adding to its “edge-of-the-world” vibes. Hiking options abound including one trail that will take you to a picture-perfect waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. One of the best ways to explore the roads in this area (including Malpaís) is with an all-terrain vehicle, which are affordable to rent from many places.
Cahuita
In the southern part of the Caribbean Coast, Cahuita is known for its black-colored sand, warm and calm water, and close proximity to the Cahuita National Park. Hiking is a great activity here, as well as canoeing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Although it is growing in popularity, it is still a low-key destination with plenty to explore in the area.
Drake Bay
On the remote Osa Peninsula at the southern edge of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Drake Bay is protected by ocean swells, and quite an adventure to reach. For those seeking a quieter location, with a secluded feel you can’t go wrong with this region. Once here you can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, sports fishing, bird watching and hiking. Near this bay you can also find Playa Cocolito, a deserted tropical beach great for hiking and basking in nature.
Playa Ventanas
In the Puntarenas province south of Uvita (not to be confused with any other Playa Ventanas), this beautiful beach is typical of the South Pacific region with fine, darker sand and gorgeous views of jungle-clad mountains when you’re in the waves and looking back towards land. Two caves adorn the north side of the beach, making for a unique experiences at low tide. Plenty of shady trees, vendors, secure parking, and bathrooms with showers make this a great stop for the day.
Surfer’s Haven
Playa Avellana
Located on the Golden Coast of Guanacaste, Playa Avellana is a world-class surf spot with as many as eight different breaks. Here the waves can reach more than 5 meters, getting a reputation from surfers as “little Hawaii”. Though busy Tamarindo is situated only 10 kilometers away, Avellana maintains a tranquil atmosphere with white sand, turquoise waters and a great beach bar where you can grab a bite or a cocktail in between surf sessions.
Marbella
Also on the Gold coast it’s not hard to imagine Marbella as the sleepy fishing village it was not long ago. Though its popularity is increasing, this surf spot still maintains blissfully uncrowded waters. Here the waves are reserved for the more experienced surfers as the swell is known for its consistent height.
Playa Matapalo
Here you can find three excellent point breaks that offer surfers plenty of options. Long boarders will love ‘ the spot known as ‘backwash’ while advanced short boarders can hope for the right conditions to create up to 500-yard tube rides at Pan Dulce. Located on the tip of the Osa Penisula in the province of Puntarenas the swell can be inconsistent but luckily there’s plenty to enjoy besides the waves. Eco-friendly habits also abound in the community where the majority of lodges operate on solar energy. The beach has received the Blue Ecological Flag certification for striving to conserve and preserve the nature around it.
Pavones
A favorite among surfers for truly world-class waves, Pavones is also a remote surf destination. This beautiful beach is situated in the Golfo Dulce with lush scenery and has quite a reputation in the surf communities of Costa Rica. Though the swell can be inconsistent at times, when a southwesterly comes the left-hand break is known to create epic rides up to 2-3 minutes long (making it arguably one of the longest lefts in the world)!
Santa Teresa
On the western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, often combined into the area known as Malpaís, Santa Teresa is known as being an ideal surfing spot. Having blossomed in popularity, surfers from all over the world gather up in this small beach town to enjoy consistent off-shore winds creating perfectly epic waves.
Tourist-Approved
Manuel Antonio
This seaside town is known for its unique white sand beaches and turquoise water protected by coves. The beauty located within its National Park has helped it become one of Costa Rica’s most visited destinations. Although it tends to be packed with tourists, local guides, and street vendors, many will insist that it is completely worth the hype.
Jaco
An energetic beach town, Jaco’s location two hours from San Jose make it a popular spot for city dwellers to flock to. As a frequent weekend getaway, Jaco offers an animated nightlife and quite a party atmosphere. If exploring amongst the crowds of Jaco or Manuel Antonio gets to be too much, head to the beautiful nearby beach of Playa Esterillos to recharge and relax.
Tamarindo
A tourist hotspot in Guanacaste known for its expansive beach, many ex-pats have taken up residency in Tamarindo from all parts of the world giving it a certain global feel. If you are looking for some fun nightlife, this bustling town is a great option, filled with night markets as well as adventure seekers looking to have a good time under the moon.
Nosara
Known for being one of the healthiest locations in the world, Nosara is the mecca for the Nicoya Peninsula’s blue-zone — a place where the average local lives past the age of 100. Although it is not the easiest beach to get to, with a notoriously rough dirt road being the only way in, it is a quintessential surf and yoga spot. Chock full of health-food shops and cafes, yoga of every variety, eco lodges and surf schools many would find Nosara to be a truly idyllic getaway.
Puerto Viejo
The Caribbean’s most popular beach town, Puerto Viejo has a relaxed yet fun atmosphere. There’s plenty to do in the area, from surfing to hiking, wildlife sanctuaries, coffee and cacao producers, yoga and more. The Caribbean coast offers a distinct reggae/rasta vibe, mixed with a strong community of expats, locals and tourists blending together. The beachfront area is named Playa Negra, for its dark colored sand. Nearby Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita offer white sands and a quieter feel, both easily accessible by renting a bike and cycling down the main road.
Costa Rica is truly the perfect destination for a beach getaway, surrounded by crystal clear waters, soft sand, amazing weather, happy locals, delicious food, and a huge diversity of fauna and flora. With hundreds of beaches to explore you can visit again and again, each time discovering new favorites.
If this list of incredible beaches fueled your craving for a sun-soaked trip to Costa Rica, be sure to check our unique trip itineraries to this destination.
More Blogs on Costa Rica:
We are very proud to partner with CEPIA for our Pura Vida in Costa Rica & Playa Grande Beach Getaway itineraries. Find out more about their incredible impact and the projects your community partner donation supports in this Q&A with founder Laetitia Deweer.