Playa Hermosa travel guide
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A small, relaxed surf village just south of Jacó, with powerful waves, a long dark-sand beach and a much more peaceful feel than its busy neighbor.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 1.5 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Temperature
Hot: 80s to 90s °F
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Our take
Who Playa Hermosa is for
Playa Hermosa is the place to stay if surfing is your thing and you want to be close to the craziness of Jacó, but have a more peaceful stay. It’s a great jumping-off point for tons of fun Pacific coast adventures.
One thing to keep in mind: There are two Playa Hermosas in Costa Rica. This one is near Jacó in Puntarenas; the other is in Guanacaste. Double-check when booking hotels and tours!
How long to stay: Three or four nights gives you time to surf, plus day trips to Carara, Playa Blanca or Manuel Antonio.
Playa Hermosa or Jacó?
Choose Playa Hermosa if…
You’re an experienced surfer or want a relaxed surf-village vibe, while still being minutes from Jacó.
Choose Jacó if…
You’re new to surfing (the waves near Jacó are gentler) or want lots of restaurants, nightlife and shops.
Our take
They’re only minutes apart, so stay in Hermosa for the calm and pop into Jacó when you want more action.
Getting there
Getting to Playa Hermosa
Driving from San José
About 1.5 hours on a well-maintained, paved toll highway, and you don’t need a 4×4. We usually pay the first toll with a $10 bill, and the change covers the rest.
About an hour in, you’ll cross the Río Tárcoles. Pull over and walk back onto the bridge to see the huge crocodiles below.
For more info:
Rental car
We suggest renting a car if you want to explore without depending on tours. Adobe gives our readers 10% off.
Buses and shuttles
If you’re only going to Hermosa, the public bus from San José is the cheapest option. It’s a few dollars, several times a day, but you might have to stand. For shuttles, use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Playa Hermosa is on the Central Pacific coast, just south of Jacó and a bit north of Esterillos.
Good to know: When searching online, type “Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas” or “Playa Hermosa near Jacó” to get the right one.
Weather
Playa Hermosa weather and best time to visit
Dry season (Dec, mid-Apr)
Very little chance of rain. It’s also prime tourism time, and with Jacó next door, Hermosa gets very full too.
Rainy season (mid-Apr: Dec)
Until the end of July, expect hot, sunny days with an afternoon storm around 2 pm, and often a beautiful sunset after. From August to December it’s a complete surprise, with fewer tourists and lower prices.
Daytime
Hot: 80s to 90s °F
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Around 2 pm
Our tip
Our tip: The sun is very powerful here. Surf in a long-sleeve UV shirt.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Playa Hermosa
Hermosa Beach House
Simple · Beachfront · Pool
A simple hotel with nice rooms directly on the beach, plus a pool.
The Villas @ Las Brisas
Hills · Pool
In the hills, not on the beach. We like it because all the rooms face a pool in the center.
Vida Hermosa
Beachfront · Breakfast
Right on the beach with breakfast included. The breakfast and overall service are excellent.
Surf Inn Hermosa
Beachfront · Studios · Kitchens
Studio-style apartments right on the beach. Good if you want a kitchen to cook your own meals.
Prefer a rental? We like Casa La Cima (three bedrooms, infinity pool, in the hills), La Casita (great for couples, plunge pool) and Oceanfront Paradise (two-bedroom beachfront condo).
See hotels on the Central Pacific →
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Playa Hermosa rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Playa Hermosa
Our favorite
Go surfing
Surfing is by far the most popular thing to do in Playa Hermosa. It’s a powerful, consistent beach break that hosts surf competitions, so it’s perfect for more experienced surfers. If you’re new to surfing, you’re better off trying the waters near Jacó.
Good to know
There are plenty of surf shops with board rentals and lessons. Surf in a long-sleeve UV shirt, because the sun is powerful.
Day trip
Manuel Antonio National Park
The most popular national park in the country, about 1.5 hours south. A ton of wildlife, lush jungle and white sand beaches in one place.
Good to know
Pre-book tickets online, and remember the park is closed on Tuesdays.
Hike Carara National Park
North of Hermosa near the Río Tárcoles. A popular bird-watching spot and a nice hike that isn’t too intense.
Day trip to Playa Blanca
One of our absolute favorite beaches in Costa Rica. It’s a bit difficult to get to, so read our guide first.
Visit Isla Tortuga
An uninhabited island with snorkeling and white sand beaches. A great day tour.
Go white water rafting
The Savegre is better for less experienced rafters, while the Naranjo is for rafting enthusiasts.
Night out in Jacó
Want more action? Jacó’s restaurants, bars and nightlife are just minutes north.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Playa Hermosa
Vida Hermosa Bar & Restaurant
Beachfront · Tuna · Party spot
Excellent food right on the beach, and a fun party spot in the evenings. I highly suggest anything with tuna.
Falafel Hermosa
Lunch · Falafel
Our go-to lunch spot in the area. The falafel is on point.
Pizza Pata
Pizza · Casual
Delicious square pizza with a wide variety of toppings.
Arenas Restaurant
Elevated Costa Rican · Cocktails
A great place for elevated Costa Rican food and excellent cocktails.
Jacó, a few minutes north, has many more restaurants, and Vida Hermosa is a great beachfront spot for sunset.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Playa Hermosa
Surf gear
Hermosa is a relaxed surf village. Pack your surf gear plus breathable shorts and t-shirts.
Flip flops
We basically live in them here.
UV shirt
The sun is very powerful, so surf in a long-sleeve UV-protective shirt.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Hermosa is a laid-back village, and most visitors have no issues. Use normal precautions.
Getting around
Getting around Playa Hermosa
Hermosa is so small that you don’t really need a car to get around. For day trips, though, you’ll want a car or tours with transportation included.
Rental car
Don’t want to drive from San José? Choose Jacó as your Adobe pickup, and they’ll deliver free to your Hermosa hotel.
Tours
Many tours to Carara, Manuel Antonio and Isla Tortuga include hotel pickup from Playa Hermosa. For getting into Jacó, taxis are easy to find and it’s only about a 10-minute ride, and shared shuttles can take you on to your next stop.
FAQ
Playa Hermosa FAQ: your questions
Is Playa Hermosa good for beginner surfers?
Not really. Playa Hermosa is best for more experienced surfers. Beginners should try the gentler waves near Jacó.
Which Playa Hermosa is this?
This guide is about Playa Hermosa near Jacó, in the Puntarenas province. There’s another Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste, so double-check when booking.
How far is Playa Hermosa from Jacó?
Just a few minutes south of Jacó by car.
How far is Playa Hermosa from San José?
About 1.5 hours by car on a paved toll highway.
Is Playa Hermosa safe for swimming?
The waves are powerful here. It’s a surf beach, so swim with caution and ask locally about conditions.
What is there to do in Playa Hermosa?
Surfing, plus day trips to Carara National Park, Playa Blanca, Isla Tortuga, Manuel Antonio and rafting on the Savegre or Naranjo rivers.
Every guide
All our Playa Hermosa guides
Keep exploring
More towns in Central Pacific
Planning more of the region? See our full Central Pacific guide.
