The 9 Best Beach Bars in Costa Rica on Both Coasts

1. Banana Beach Club: Santa Teresa

Banana Beach Club basically becomes my living room while in Santa Teresa. It’s one of my favorite places in Costa Rica. They have sunset DJs, beach parties, and live music every single day of the week.

Keep in mind, they experienced a pretty devastating fire in early spring of 2026. They have reopened, but things might not be completely back up to the level they were at yet.

• Must-try food: I go for the white fish carpaccio. It’s great! But, they used to have this amazing appetizer with sashimi, quinoa, and herbs. If you read this, please bring it back Banana Beach!
• Must-try cocktail: Anything off the 2-for-1 happy hour menu. I usually go for the margarita or sangria.

Check it out: Banana Beach on TripAdvisor

2. Lola’s: Playa Avellanas (near Tamarindo)

Lola’s has handmade wooden tables sunk into the sand, hammocks everywhere, and surfers catching waves in front of you.

If you decide to rent an ATV for a day from Tamarindo, this is a good spot to visit as a little trip.

• Must-try food: Go for the ceviche or the Hawaiian poke.
• Must-try cocktail: The Lolajito (their take on a mojito)

Check it out: Lola’s on TripAdvisor

3. Pangas Beach Club: Tamarindo

Tamarindo is actually the perfect place if you are chasing beach club vibes. Of all the places in this town, Pangas Beach Club is definitely my favorite. It’s relaxed, beautiful, and they serve some incredible food. It is also located on the estuary side of the beach, which just feels a bit more peaceful.

• Must-try food: If you are a group of 4, get the Guanacaste Sampler. I also love the Pangas Tuna Tower and Thomas loves the Mixed Seafood Platter.
• Must-try cocktail: All of their cocktails are great, but when in Tamarindo I feel like you should drink something with tamarind in it, so I suggest going for the Mi Tamarindo.

Check it out: Pangas Beach Club on TripAdvisor

4. Coco Loco: Playa Flamingo

Coco Loco catered our wedding, so we may bit a bit biased, but we think they are great. They serve great food and cocktails directly on Playa Flamingo (which is definitely one of the nicest beaches in the country).

• Must-try food: I really don’t know what to recommend because it is all excellent. You can’t go wrong with any of their ceviches. I like the Crispy Corvina Taquitos a lot. The Loco Coco is also an amazing order.
• Must-try cocktail: Definitely go for the Coco Loco which is a coconit flavored cocktail served in a coconut. I’ll warn you though, it’s pretty strong. But, it’s perfect for the tropical photo vibes.

Check it out: Coco Loco on TripAdvisor

5. Father Rooster: Playa Ocotal (near Playas del Coco)

Father Rooster sits on tiny Playa Ocotal, just south of Playas del Coco. You will need to enter a gated area but just tell the guard you’re heading to Father Rooster. This spot has been around for years and earned its reputation honestly. At night this place can become a real party spot.

• Must-try food: I love their patacones or sashimi as an appetizer.
• Must-try cocktail: The passion fruit daiquiri is awesome. The margaritas are also a solid call.

Check it out: Father Rooster on TripAdvisor

6. Gusto Beach Club: Sámara

This place is Italian-owned and Italian-run, right on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and laid-back beaches. Get ready for authentic wood-fired pizza, handcrafted cocktails, sun loungers on the sand, and live music several nights a week.

They are open from breakfast through late night, you can spend an entire day here.

• Must-try food: The wood-fired pizza is the star, but the fresh fish and seafood dishes are equally worth ordering.
• Must-try cocktail: I love a good caipirina and I don’t see them on menus often in Costa Rica, so that is what I always go for here.

Check it out: Gusto Beach Club on TripAdvisor

7. Playa Biesanz Beach Vendors: Manuel Antonio

This is a bit different than the other places on this list, because it is not actually a beach bar. See, Manuel Antonio has a lot of great cliff front restaurants that are perfect for sunset views, but the town doesn’t have many options for beach bars.

However, on Playa Biesanz, there are always locals selling food and drinks, renting beach chairs, and renting out things like kayaks and snorkel gear.

So, I suggest coming here with your towel or renting a beach chair, grabbing a drink from one of the local venders, and enjoying the peaceful vibes.

For more info, check out our complete guide to Playa Biesanz

8. Vida Hermosa: Playa Hermosa (near Jacó)

Vida Hermosa sits on Playa Hermosa, about 10 minutes south of Jacó. The vibe is beach bar meets actually-good restaurant. You can sit inside or out on the sand under the palm trees. The food skews towards things like tuna poke, sesame chicken bowls, and fresh seafood..

• Must-try food: The tuna poke bowl is my go-to
• Must-try cocktail: They have a decent cocktail menu, but I can’t say no to a spicy margarita, and they do them well.

Check it out: Vida Hermosa on TripAdvisor

9. DaLime Beach Club: Playa Chiquita (near Puerto Viejo)

DaLime is part of Hotel Aguas Claras and sits right on Playa Chiquita. The vibe is indoor-outdoor, the food is proper AfroCaribbean cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients from Puerto Viejo‘s farms and fishermen, and they do live music and reggae nights regularly. It is a great option if you want a more secluded, beachfront afternoon away from the busier town area.

• Must-try food: Their ceviche is so so good!
• Must-try cocktail: Ugh, this is tough. All of their signature cocktails are excellent and very tropical leaning.

Check it out: DaLime Beach Club on TripAdvisor