Costa Rica offers the stuff of vacation advertisements: horses galloping on a white-sand beach, surfers crouched in an enormous barrel wave, sea turtles nesting near the ocean. Notice a sandy theme? The country has more than 800 miles of coastline and 300 beaches, divided between its Pacific and Caribbean sides, with something to offer any coast-loving traveler.
Throughout the country, surfing is a big draw. With waves and ever-shifting trade winds coming from the Pacific and the Caribbean, surfing in Costa Rica presents all kinds of conditions and challenges for surfers of various skill levels—and as many options for surf camps and classes as well.
Even nonsurfers will find plenty of seaside retreats to choose from, be it a calm spot suited for young children, a shore with excellent wildlife-spotting potential, or a busy surf break with lively nightlife. Here are 20 of our top beaches in Costa Rica to visit on your next trip.
Beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica boasts the beaches that are printed on tourist brochures and postcards. That is to say, they’re practically perfect: Think smooth shores sloping gently into calm waves and views framed by palm trees. The beaches in this list are arranged from north to south. (Note that Costa Rica has several beaches with the same name, so double-check you have the right spot before booking anything.)
Come summer, baby sea turtles are a common sight in Tortuguero National Park.
Photo by Kevin Wells Photography/Shutterstock
Playa Tortuguero
- Best for: turtle lovers
- Location: Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Mawamba Lodge
In Spanish, tortuguero translates roughly to “turtle region” and this beach in Tortuguero National Park, a protected sanctuary, lives up to its name. Tortuguero isn’t a lie-about beach for humans: It’s sandy heaven for shelled reptiles. To spy green sea and hawksbill turtles nesting, visit from July through October. (August is considered peak nesting month.)
To see the rarer leatherback, visit from February to April. You’ll want to book with a guide for two reasons: The park is accessible only by boat or plane and turtles typically nest at night; visitors are prohibited in the park after 6 p.m., unless with a guide. Reserve ahead of time or take your pick of the many outfitters in Tortuguero Village, the hotel- and restaurant-packed gateway town.
Playa Negra’s sand consists of volcanic material—hence the black hue.
Photo by Jesse Garcia/Shutterstock
Playa Negra
- Best for: walkers, swimmers, amateur surfers
- Location: Near Cahuita, Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Hotel El Encanto
The beach town of Cahuita is particularly notable because of its national park, which fronts white-sand beaches and impressive coral reefs. Cahuita is also just south of one of Costa’s Rica’s best black-sand beaches, Playa Negra. The sand here is dark like ink and stretches for six picturesque miles. The waves of the Caribbean are gentle enough for swimming but can offer enough action for newbie surfers, too. The Caribbean side may lack the posh resorts you’ll find on the Pacific side, but there are several lovely boutique options, including Hotel El Encanto, a cute property less than a quarter mile from the center of Cahuita and mere steps from the beach.
Playa Puerto Viejo
- Best for: expert surfers—or those who simply want to catch an epic sunset
- Location: Puerto Viejo, Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Le Cameleon Puerto Viejo Boutique Hotel
This Caribbean beach is the site of arguably Costa Rica’s best surf break, Salsa Brava, a notoriously challenging reef-break that attracts surfers from around the globe. The beach is a lovely place to camp out and wade while watching brave souls barrel-ride hundreds of feet across the sea, and it’s also conveniently located on the edge of the Puerto Viejo beach town, meaning there are plenty of amenities nearby, including the beloved Lazy Mon beach bar. For a minimalist, chic hideaway, stay at Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel, with its 23 remarkably white rooms. Sunsets here are surprisingly spectacular, considering that the beach isn’t on the west coast.
Playa Chiquita is a secluded beach on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
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Playa Chiquita
- Best for: horseback riding on the beach, nudists, open-minded families
- Location: Puerto Viejo, Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Hotel Aguas Claras
Small and quiet, the pristine Playa Chiquita offers calm waters perfect for snorkeling and families with little kids. Horses are common—several outfitters offer rides on the beach in this area. Fair warning: Given Playa Chiquita’s private location—a stretch of rainforest separates the beach from the main road and there’s not much signage—it’s also a popular spot for those who prefer to sunbathe sans clothing. To stay nearby, check out Hotel Aguas Claras, where you can see sloths climbing in poolside trees.
Playa Punta Uva looks almost too dreamy to be real.
Photo by Chrispictures/Shutterstock
Playa Punta Uva
- Best for: swimmers, snorkelers, tentative surfers
- Location: Punta Uva, Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: aWà Beach Hotel
If you’re looking for a postcard-perfect Caribbean beach, Playa Uva, which is just south of Playa Chiquita, ticks all the boxes. Gentle waves lapping at creamy sand? Check. Window-clear waters, perfect for snorkeling? Check. Quiet, ample space and a ridiculous number of palms with excellent hammock potential? Check, check, and check. Plus, a hikeable peninsula that splits the beach into north and south adds an active opportunity.
To turn your visit into more than a day trip, book a room at aWà Beach Hotel, which is right on the shore. Be sure to request a room with an ocean view; you won’t regret it.
Playa Manzanillo
- Best for: swimmers, snorkelers, seafood obsessives
- Location: Manzanillo, Limón Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: aWà Beach Hotel
It’s quiet in the fishing town of Manzanillo (a short drive from Playa Uva), where the homes are on stilts and you can’t throw a shell without hitting a seafood restaurant. The town is part of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife and Marine Refuge, and the playa here reflects that: The protected waters bathe coral reefs alive with marine creatures, and the beach is backed by a stretch of rainforest and mangroves. It’s gorgeous to boot, with white sand sprouting swaying palms and almond trees.
Beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast
The Pacific coast runs the length of the country’s western edge, and the landscape is more varied and rugged than on the Caribbean. For surfers, swimmers, water sports aficionados, and beach bums, the Pacific has no shortage of choices. Adventurous travelers who prefer remote, uncrowded beaches will find plenty of options here as well. Beaches are listed from north to south.
Playa Pochote
- Best for: swimmers, kayakers, whale-watchers
- Location: Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The lush Papagayo Peninsula may be a paradise, but it would be hard to call it undiscovered these days, as luxury hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Andaz, and Ritz-Carlton have set up shop here. It’s still possible to find tranquility in the area, though, including at Playa Pochote, a black-sand beach tucked beneath the new Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, at the mouth of the Pochote River. Ballena Bay is calm and gentle, making it a fine place to swim and kayak. Unsurprisingly, given the name of the bay, this is also a good spot for whale-watching.
As for that hotel, Ritz-Carlton’s eighth super-luxe Reserve property (and the first in Central America), Afar’s Katherine LaGrave wrote that “Nekajui celebrates its environs from all angles, whether architecturally or in its thoughtful cuisine.”
Playa Penca
- Best for: snorkelers, families
- Location: Punta Cacique, Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
This natural white-sand beach on the north side of Punta Cacique is a splendid place to see marine life. The water is calm and clear, and it’s home to spotted eagle rays, pufferfish, porcupinefish, moray eels, starfish, and sea urchins (watch your feet!). Once you’re back on dry land, you can relax on the fine, powdery sand. The beach is accessible via public stairs next to the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, or it can be reached by kayak or water taxi from Playas del Coco or Playa Hermosa. If you want to really maximize your time at Playa Penca, however, why not treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Costa Rica’s first Waldorf?
The sand at Playa Conchal, a beach on Costa Rica’s Pacific side, is made up of millions of tiny shells.
Photo by TG23/Shutterstock
Playa Conchal
- Best for: swimmers, snorkelers, families, scuba divers
- Location: Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal or the Westin Reserva Conchal
The pink-sand shoreline of Playa Conchal, a laid-back beach in Guanacaste province, is made up of almost 3 million tiny shells. Take in the marine life while swimming in the calm bay or snorkeling in the abundant reef—just don’t take any shells with you, as that’s considered illegal wildlife trafficking in Costa Rica, and they’ll be confiscated at the airport. While the beach (rimmed by thick forest, with no adjoining town) feels remote, a couple of Marriott luxury hotels are nearby. A stay at either the W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal or the Westin Reserva Conchal will mean you can make Playa Conchal home for at least a few days.
There’s a mix of everything, including soccer and swimming, at the popular (but not overcrowded) Playa Tamarindo.
Photo by Max Herman/Shutterstock
Playa Tamarindo
- Best for: surfers, families, and travelers who want a lively beach town
- Location: Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
A mix of green space—it’s part of Guanacaste’s Las Baulas National Park—and lively beach town, Tamarindo isn’t exactly hidden, but it offers excellent beaching. Surfers can surf several types of breaks within close proximity, while animal lovers can look for howler monkeys and nesting sea turtles or ride a horse along the two-mile-plus beach. Sunbathers who like to chase beach days with nighttime carousing will find pristine sands (Tamarindo has been awarded Costa Rica’s Blue Flag for eco-friendly practices) and plenty of restaurants and bars a short stroll away.
Playa Negra
- Best for: expert surfers, those who want to get away from it all
- Location: Near Los Pargos, Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
World-class surfing is available all along the Pacific coast, especially at Playa Negra in Guanacaste Province. The superlative, not-for-newbie waves and the beach’s isolation make for extraordinary adventure. The nearby town of Los Pargos supplies a smattering of “civilization,” with lots of cutesy boutiques and restaurants.
For a place to stay, the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, is a 20-minute drive north of Playa Negra and 30 minutes south of Tamarindo.
Playa Guiones
- Best for: surfers, yogis, sunset seekers
- Location: Near Nosara, Guanacaste Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences
Renowned for its consistent waves and sandy bottom, Nosara’s Playa Guiones has become a surf hot spot. Unlike some famous breaks, it’s also an excellent place to learn: A wide variety of surf schools in Nosara will teach you how to catch a wave. This beach has also long been a destination for meditators, as the area is home to several yoga retreat centers. Of course, the west-facing Pacific beach regularly dazzles with spectacular sunsets.
Looking to stay a while? Book at the new Silvestre Nosara Hotel & Residences, mere steps from Playa Guiones. Aside from proximity to the waves, the small property (nine luxury residences) offers boat tours, in-room spa services, and landscaping that blends with the Nosara Biological Reserve.
Sámara Beach surrounds a crescent-shaped bay with excellent swimming and surfing.
Photo by Norbert Achtelik
Playa Sámara
- Best for: surfers of all levels, foodies
- Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Montelaguna Boutique Hotel
In an isolated corner of the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Sámara is one of Guanacaste’s most beautiful beaches, right where the five-hour drive from San José to the Pacific ends. As befits great shorelines, you’ll find top surf, lively nightlife, and a winning small-town vibe that makes the area seem like it’s still a secret. After a day of sun and sand, head to casual Microbar Samara for more than 20 craft beers, cocktails, and live music, then rest your head at the 17-room Montelaguna Boutique Hotel, within walking distance from the beach.
From the town of Santa Teresa, travelers can visit several excellent beaches, from popular Playa Santa Teresa (pictured) to quiet Playa Mal País.
Photo by Mvmerlino / Shutterstock
Playa Santa Teresa & Playa Mal País
- Best for: surfers of all levels, anglers, and birders
- Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Hotel Nantipa
There are several beach towns within a few miles of one another on the Nicoya Peninsula, including Santa Teresa and Carmen, both of which have wonderful beaches (Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen, respectively) and plenty of off-sand action. After spending a day at these popular spots, head to nearby Playa Mal País, on the edge of a fishing village, for a quieter vibe with long empty beaches. It also has excellent fishing (mahi-mahi, snapper, and tuna are common), and birders can spy dozens of species, including falcons, parrots, and herons. Spend the night at Santa Teresa’s Hotel Nantipa, which recently joined the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
Tortuga Island is an easy, and quick, day trip from mainland Costa Rica.
Photo by Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock
Tortuga Island
- Best for: snorkelers, scuba divers, island adventurers
- Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Hotel Jaco
In the 17th century, Tortuga Island, just off the Nicoya Peninsula, was a place for pirates eager to loot coastal towns. These days, it’s a favorite among day-trippers who appreciate the white-sand beach. From Jacó Beach (where you can book excursions), it’s a 90-minute boat ride to the 60-square-mile island. Scuba divers can plumb the depths while looking for stingrays, spinner dolphins, and sunken ships; snorkelers can paddle while watching for angelfish and stingrays. Need a break from the surf? There’s plenty of hiking—the summit trail is popular—plus canopy and zip-line tours.
Tired of the beach? Jump into the pool while staying at oceanside Nya Hotel.
Courtesy of Nya Hotel, Steve Walsh Photography
Playa Montezuma
- Best for: surfers of all levels, budding marine biologists, sunbathers
- Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Nya Hotel
Located at the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula, the town of Montezuma still feels like a lesser-known treasure. It’s quiet and thickly forested—so small you can walk through it in 15 minutes—and crowned by a long white-sand beach. Swimming isn’t easy here, thanks to powerful waves, but the tide pools that appear at low tide are mesmerizing. From the shore, you can hike to Playa Grande, another surf beach, or visit Romelia Wildlife Reserve, which helps protect sea turtles that hatch on the sand. The Nya Hotel feels appropriately secluded while also being near the water.
Jacó Beach draws surfers of all levels—amateur surfers will find the best waves at low tide, while more experienced surfers can ride at high tide.
Photo by Jorge A. Russell/Shutterstock
Jacó Beach
- Best for: beginner surfers, travelers who like to be in the middle of the action
- Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Hotel Jaco
First made popular by hardcore surfers, Jacó is now, thanks to Highway 27, the closest beach to San José. With buoyant nightlife and a go-go real estate market, the town of Jacó is much more than its 2.5-mile shoreline. Swanky resorts, luxury apartments, galleries, and down-to-earth beachside shops create an active destination. National parks, waterfalls, and other natural attractions are minutes from town, so day trips are easy. Seafood takes the starring role in local eateries; options include white-tablecloth restaurants to come-as-you-are ceviche shacks. Whether you’re lounging around town or booking a trip to Tortuga Island, stay at the five-star Hotel Jaco, an 18-suite property owned by proud U.S. expats from Texas.
Skip the crowds of Manuel Antonio and head to nearby Playa Espadilla instead.
Photo by Shutterstock
Playa Espadilla
- Best for: families, swimmers, and nature lovers
- Location: Near Quepos, Puntarenas Province | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Arenas del Mar
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most visited places in Costa Rica and home to beautiful beaches of its own. But for travelers who want a more relaxed option, Playa Espadilla, a mile-long beach just outside the park, is an excellent choice. Also known as Playa Primera or Playa Numero Uno, it can be busy, but there’s plenty of space to stretch out, the water is calm enough for swimming, and there are lifeguards on duty. Bonus: Deck chairs with umbrellas are available to rent.
As for places to stay near Playa Espadilla, five-star Arenas del Mar, a member of the Cayuga Collection, which specializes in sustainable luxury hotels around Central America, is an 11-acre resort set atop rain-forested cliffs overlooking the Pacific. It delivers the right amount of comfort while still being within walking distance of Manuel Antonio.
Playa Madrigal
- Best for: campers, sunbathers, and swimmers who want quiet
- Location: Osa Peninsula | Google Maps
- Where to stay: La Leona Eco Lodge
Lengthy and often empty, Playa Madrigal is part of Corcovado National Park. There’s not much to do here—which is the point. Enjoy the swim-perfect waves, read on the gray-sand beach, and walk for miles while keeping an eye out for the abundant wildlife here, such as toucans, macaws, and spider monkeys.
To make this part of a larger park adventure, look into a multiday camping and hiking trip in Corcovado (guide required). Most travelers opt to take a boat to the Sirena entrance of the park from nearby Puerto Jiménez, then hike for two days and one night to La Leona, before driving back to town. Be sure to book at least a week or two in advance, especially during high season. Tour operators such as Corcovado Hiking Tours can arrange everything. It’s also possible to stay right on the edge of the park at La Leona Eco Lodge, a small, family-run property with tent cabins available both on the beach and at the rainforest canopy level.
The remote and relaxed Playa Matapalo is a favorite among surfers.
Photo by Shutterstock
Playa Matapalo
- Best for: experienced surfers, eco-minded travelers
- Location: Osa Peninsula | Google Maps
- Where to stay: Botánika Osa Peninsula
Matapalo, another Blue Flag beach, is at the southernmost tip of the Osa Peninsula. It’s remote, rustic, and features only a handful of services and tourists. (Open solely on Friday nights, Buena Esperanza, aka “Martina’s Jungle Bar,” is one of the area’s few spots for food, drinks, and dancing.) It’s also an ideal choice for off-the-grid surfing. Conditions change quickly, so check surf reports regularly and chat with locals for up-to-date tips. The premier place to stay around here is the Botánika Osa Peninsula, a Hilton Curio Collection resort that opened in 2022. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of Matapalo, in the small town of Puerto Jiménez.
This article was originally published in 2018 and was most recently updated in July 2025 to include current information.
