Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
The Playa Hermosa Vibe
Playa Hermosa mostly consists of the beach area, where most hotels are, and a main road with stores and restaurants.
It doesn’t have that touristy town vibe (you will have to head to nearby Playas del Coco for that), but it is a great place to stay for a relaxing getaway.
There is plenty to do nearby and the water at the beach is usually very calm and good for swimming.
Map Of Playa Hermosa
Montezuma is located on the Nicoya Peninsula, the little hook of Costa Rica.
This area is not the easiest to access, but that seems to give it a lot of its charm.
Playa Hermosa at a Glance
Nearest International Airport
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia
Popular Things to Do
Rent jet skis, take a catamaran tour, go zip lining
Best Way to Get Around
Rental car, walking in the downtown area
Best Time of Year to Visit
Dry season is from late December until mid-April
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Getting to Playa Hermosa
The easiest way to get to Playa Hermosa is by flying into the Liberia International Airport. From the airport, it is only about a 20-minute drive to Playa Hermosa.
If coming from San Jose the drive will take you about five hours.
If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.
From Liberia International Airport we suggest taking a taxi to Playa Hermosa (if you aren’t renting a car).
A taxi will cost about $45 according to the official taxi list and can fit four to five people plus luggage.
We have a family of official Costa Rican taxi drivers in the Liberia area that we exclusively work with. They are the absolute best and have agreed to give our readers a discount. With them, you will pay only $35 for your taxi to Playa Hermosa (plus tip).
You can preorder your taxi here and they will be waiting for you at the Liberia Airport.
Your other best option is to rent a car. The drive to Hermosa is very easy for all drivers. It consists of one main highway and then a few well-maintained side streets.
We suggest renting a car if you plan on taking many day trips on your own. If you plan to only relax at your hotel or take tours with transportation, you most likely won’t need a car.
We always suggest Adobe for all car rental needs. They are by far our favorite and most trusted car rental company in the country.
Adobe has given us a 10% discount plus plenty of other perks to pass on to you. You can grab your rental car discount here.
Getting Around in Playa Hermosa
Hermosa is somewhat divided between the beach area and the more main road with grocery store and some restaurants. If you are staying on the beach, there are a few good restaurants that you can easily walk to. Personally, we like to have a rental car for getting around so we can take day trips.
One option is to rent a car for only a few days of your trip. Adobe has an office in Liberia and will deliver your car to Hermosa for a very small fee.
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Playa Hermosa Weather
This area has some of the best consistently sunny and warm weather in the country.
From mid-December until late April you can expect dry hot weather. It gets so dry here that it is not unusual to see forest fires in March and April.
Although the weather is dry, everything tends to die by March and things are very brown.
From late April through August you can expect a daily afternoon rainstorm that lasts for about an hour or two. This is the one area of the country in which it sometimes doest rain even during rainy season.
From August until December you can expect more frequent rainstorms that sometimes last the entire day and sometimes only a few hours.
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Playa Hermosa Hotels
Villa del Sueno – This is a good place to stay with a nice garden property close to the beach. There is a nice pool on the property and breakfast is included.
Hotel El Velero – Located directly on the beach, this is the perfect place for relaxing with an ocean view. There is a pool and restaurant on the property.
Hotel Bosque del Mar – This is our more high-end hotel choice in Hermosa. It is located directly on the beach, there is a nice pool on the property, the rooms and staff are excellent.
Papagayo Golden Palms – The nice garden property that backs up to the beach is the real draw here. The rooms are clean and nice and there is a pool on site.
MoonShadow – Our unique boutique choice in the area, Moonshadow is a fun place to stay that feels cozy and homey.
Hermosa Homes & Villa Rentals
We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.
Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double check before booking.
Condos
Sol y Mar Condo 4C– Three bedroom condo that sleeps 6 guests. This is a ground level condo with large balcony area and outdoor grill. All condos have pool access and are directly on the beach.
Sol y Mar Condo #2 – A 3 bedroom 3 bath condo that has everything you would need for a comfortable stay.
Sol y Mar Condo #3 – 3 bedroom/ 3 bath condo on the beach in Playa Hermosa.
Villas
Casa Picapiedra – A 4 bedroom villa that can sleep up to 8 guests. There is a nice infinity pool with coastal views.
Casa Manana – A 4 bedroom villa that can sleep 8 guests. There is a nice outdoor area with pool and grill.
Gear Rentals for Playa Hermosa
Are you traveling with young kids and need a stroller, crib, car seat, high chair, etc.?
Are you planning to spend a lot of time relaxing on one of the many Playa Hermosa area beaches and would like a cooler, beach chairs, sun umbrella, etc.?
Rent all your necessary gear and have it delivered directly to your hotel or vacation rental courtesy of our friends at Mango Baby Beach Rentals!
Mango Baby Beach Rentals is a family-run company that we think super highly of. We know they will take great care of you!
Use the coupon code: CRVIBES5 at checkout to save 5% off your order!
Things to Do in Playa Hermosa
Enjoy the Beach
Playa Hermosa is the perfect place for swimming. There is a roped-off swimming area and the water is usually very calm.
Just a warning, there are occasionally stingrays on Hermosa beach. They won’t typically bother you, but stings have been known to happen sometimes.
Take a Catamaran or Sailing Tour
A catamaran or sailing tour is the perfect way to explore this beautiful Pacific coast area. Some tours include snorkeling, sunset views, a meal, and cocktails.
Our favorite company for this is Kuna Vela. They operate the sailboat, Kuna, for day and sunset tours. And, I can guarantee you’ll have an amazing time with them. Seriously, they are the best!
Go Deep Sea Fishing
Are you ready to enjoy some world-class fishing on the Pacific ocean? Plan a sport fishing tour!
We suggest a half or full day trip with Captain Roberto on his Boston Whaler. While out you might catch mahi mahi, tuna, grouper, and snapper.
Plus you can keep what you catch and they are happy to arrange for a nearby restaurant to prepare everything for you.
Go Scuba Diving
If you love diving, there are several reefs and tons of marine life in the waters surrounding Hermosa.
Go out with an experienced guide and find all the best spots.
We suggest the tour we linked below.
Go Fly Fishing
We highly recommend this fun day trip with Captain Estaban on his 14’ NRS inflatable outboard rafts along the Tempisque and Corobici rivers. During the trip you will target Rainbow and Striped Bass, Machaca (Mini Tarpon), and Snook.
It’s so fun!
Just note that you will need a rental car or taxi to get here. The trip does not include transportation from Coco.
Visit Rincon de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja national park is located north Coco and is a great place to spend a day hiking.
You can go with a guide, but you are also able to pay to enter the park and hike on your own.
Rincon de la Vieja is also a great place to enjoy a combo tour with tons of fun adventure activities such as zip lining and rafting.
Take an ATV Tour
ATV tours will get your adrenaline pumping and can be a great way to explore some off-road destinations in the Guanacaste region.
Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
Take a private horseback riding tour along the beach. This is fun to do in the evening while the sun is setting.
Visit Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
This is an impressive nearby waterfall that you can swim under. It is the perfect family-friendly day trip.
If you have a car, this is something you can easily do on your own. Check out our Llanos de Cortez guide for more info.
If you don’t have a rental car you can also book a tour with transportation. ↓
Expand Your Coffee Palette
Take a coffee tasting tour and learn all about Costa Rica coffee beans and tastes.
Visit Diamonte Adventure Park
This adeventure park is located not too far from Hermosa and has some really fun activities such as zip lining, hanging bridges, paddle boarding, animal sanctuary, and more!
We suggest booking the all-access day pass to really enjoy all that they have to offer.
Just note that this activity does not include transportation from your hotel.
Rent a Jet Ski
It is not unusual to see locals on the beach renting out jet skis.
Playa Hermosa Restaurants
Aqua Sport – I wouldn’t say this place has the best food ever, but it is still our go-to spot in Hermosa when we want to have a cocktail night with some friends on the beach. In other words, expect basic food, but a chill place to hang out with some beachfront drinks.
Ginger – Definitely the nicest restaurant in the area with fresh ingredients and quality menu options. The prices are also extremely reasonable considering the quality.
Che Sirloin – The best place around for beef, from burgers to steak.
Buzzed Monkey – The place to go when you are craving some US style pulled pork, brisket, hot wings etc.
Robertos Bar & Restaurant – The perfect seafood and fish spot with a nice view of the ocean.
Packing for Alajuela
If you are planning to spend most of your time at the beach we suggest bathing suits, sun coverage, a snorkel (some of the beaches around here are great for snorkeling because the water is so calm), and bug spray for once the sun goes down.
This is notoriously one of the hottest areas in the country so really go strong on that sun protection including UV protecting shirts and SPF50 sunblock.
Check out our Hermosa Packing List on Amazon for all the essentials.
