Costa Rica beaches
Costa Rica beaches: where to go on both coasts
With hundreds of beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, picking one is the hard part. These are the ones we keep going back to, grouped by region so you can match them to your route.
Every beach in Costa Rica has public access by law, so even the ones in front of fancy resorts are open to you.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Public access
Every beach in Costa Rica, by law
Pacific dry season
Mid-December to late April
Caribbean driest
September and October
Sunset
Between 5:30 and 6pm, year-round
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Choose your coast
Pacific or Caribbean?
Most visitors head to the Pacific, but the Caribbean is worth the trip if you want a slower pace.
White sand, easy access
Pacific coast
Calm swimming coves, surf towns and big sunsets, close to both international airports. Driest from mid-December to late April.
Raw, relaxed, fewer crowds
Caribbean coast
Jungle right up to the sand, reggae and rice and beans, and some of the clearest water in the country. Driest in September and October.
Northern Pacific
Guanacaste beaches
The driest, sunniest part of the country, about 30 to 90 minutes from Liberia Airport.
Shell sand
Playa Conchal
Crushed-shell sand and clear turquoise water that’s great for snorkeling on calm days.
Calm and pretty
Playa Flamingo
A curve of bright white sand with easy swimming and good scuba diving nearby.
Surf and sunsets
Tamarindo
A lively surf town with beginner waves, restaurants on the sand and big sunsets.
Turtle nesting
Playa Grande
A long, wild beach just across the estuary from Tamarindo, protected for nesting leatherback turtles.
Laid-back surf
Playa Avellanas
A relaxed surf beach south of Tamarindo with waves for all levels and long, uncrowded sand.
Quiet and scenic
Playa Langosta
A quiet stretch just south of Tamarindo with tide pools at low tide and an easy sunset walk.
Calm water
Playa Hermosa
A gentle bay near Playa del Coco with calm water for swimming and some of our favorite sunsets in Guanacaste.
Hidden cove
Playa Nacascolo
A calm, sheltered beach on the Papagayo Peninsula, easiest to reach on a boat tour.
Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya beaches
Laid-back surf and yoga towns with dirt roads, jungle and some of the best sunsets in the country.
Surf and sunsets
Santa Teresa
Palm-lined beaches, consistent surf and a stylish but barefoot vibe.
Waterfall beach
Montezuma
A bohemian village with a coastal walk to a waterfall that pours straight onto the sand.
Calm swimming
Sámara
A protected bay with gentle waves, great for families and first-time surfers.
Day trip
Isla Tortuga
A white sand island with snorkeling, an easy boat trip from Montezuma, Santa Teresa or Jacó.
Rugged and quiet
Mal País
Santa Teresa’s quieter neighbor, with rocky coves, tide pools and a small fishing harbor.
Yoga and surf
Playa Guiones
Nosara’s long, undeveloped beach with consistent beginner-friendly waves and no buildings on the sand.
Turtle nesting
Playa Ostional
A wildlife refuge where thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest. Better for watching than swimming.
End of the road
Playa Los Cedros
A quiet beach near Cabuya at the tip of the peninsula, close to Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve.
Central and South Pacific
Central and South Pacific beaches
Jungle meets ocean here, with wildlife on the beach and the easiest drives from San José.
Wildlife and beaches
Manuel Antonio
Beaches inside a national park, with monkeys and sloths in the trees above the sand.
Calm cove
Playa Biesanz
A sheltered little cove near Manuel Antonio, often calm enough to swim and snorkel.
Closest to San José
Jacó
A busy surf town about 1.5 hours from the airport, with nightlife and plenty of restaurants.
Hidden white sand
Playa Blanca
A white-sand cove north of Jacó and one of the closest pretty beaches to San José.
Big surf
Playa Hermosa (Jacó)
A long dark-sand beach just south of Jacó with powerful waves. Fun to watch the surfers, rough for swimming.
Calm bay
Herradura
A calm horseshoe-shaped bay next to Jacó, home to the Los Sueños marina and sportfishing boats.
Whale’s tail
Playa Uvita
Walk out on the sandbar shaped like a whale’s tail at low tide in Marino Ballena National Park.
Big waves
Dominical
A wild surf beach with a laid-back, backpacker feel. Better for watching than swimming.
Mountains to sea
Ojochal and Uvita coast
Quiet beaches backed by jungle-covered mountains, with tide pools and hidden coves.
Sea caves
Playa Ventanas
A small beach near Ojochal with rock tunnels you can walk into at low tide.
Remote and wild
Matapalo
A jungle-backed point at the tip of the Osa Peninsula with surf breaks and scarlet macaws overhead.
Legendary wave
Pavones
A tiny town near the Panama border with one of the longest left-hand waves in the world.
Caribbean coast
Caribbean beaches
The stretch between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo is one of our favorite drives in the country, with a new beach around every bend.
Surf and swim
Playa Cocles
Golden sand just south of Puerto Viejo, with lively surf and a fun beach scene.
Calm and clear
Punta Uva and Playa Chiquita
Turquoise water and jungle down to the sand. Some of the most picturesque swimming on the coast.
End of the road
Manzanillo
The last stretch before Panama, next to the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Hike and swim
Cahuita National Park
The main trail runs right along the beach, so you can spot sloths and then cool off in the sea.
July to October
Tortuguero
Not a swimming beach, but green sea turtles come ashore to nest here every summer.
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Things to do
Things to do at the beach
Beyond lying on the sand, here’s how we like to spend our beach days.
All levels
Surfing
Tamarindo, Sámara, Santa Teresa and Jacó all have beginner-friendly waves and surf schools.
Clear water
Snorkeling
Head to Isla Tortuga, Playa Conchal, Biesanz or the Caribbean reefs near Cahuita and Manzanillo.
Golden hour
Sunset sails
Catamaran tours from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Manuel Antonio include snorkeling and drinks.
Our afternoons
Beach bars
A cold drink with your toes in the sand is the best way to end a day.
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Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
In the water
Swim safely
Sun
Protect your skin
Costa Rica is close to the equator and the UV index is always very high. Use reef-safe sunscreen, wear a UV shirt and seek shade at midday.
Belongings
Watch your stuff
Petty theft is the main concern at the beach. Don’t leave bags unattended or anything in your parked car.
Packing: reef-safe sunscreen, a UV shirt, a dry bag and sandals that can get wet. See our Costa Rica packing list →
FAQ
Costa Rica beaches FAQ: your questions
Are all beaches in Costa Rica public?
Yes. By law, every beach in Costa Rica has public access, including those in front of resorts.
Which coast has better beaches, Pacific or Caribbean?
Both are beautiful. The Pacific has more towns, calmer swimming spots and easier access from the airports. The Caribbean is wilder, more relaxed and less crowded.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica’s beaches?
On the Pacific, mid-December to late April is driest. On the Caribbean, September and October are usually the driest months.
Is it safe to swim at Costa Rica’s beaches?
Usually, but rip currents are common. Swim near lifeguards, avoid river mouths and always check for red flags.
Which Costa Rica beaches are good for families?
Playa Sámara, Playa Flamingo, Playa Biesanz and the beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park are known for calmer water.
Every beach guide
All our beach guides
Keep exploring
Keep exploring Costa Rica
Things to do
Our favorite activities across the country, from volcanoes to night tours.
Planning more of the region? See our full Costa Rica destinations guide.
