The Best Beach Resorts in Costa Rica
Sun, water at 28° all year round, and fine sand are the essential ingredients for a successfulbeach vacation in Costa Rica. The country offers more than 1,200 km of coastline. Whether you preferthe Pacific Oceanorthe Caribbean Sea, pristine white sand or black sand, or coconut palms stretching as far as the eye can see, you’re sure to find the beach of your dreams in Costa Rica! Landlubbers and those who love to relax will find plenty to enjoy, from swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving to whale and dolphin watching, and more… These beach vacations along Costa Rica’s coastline can also be enhanced with activities such as oil massages or hot stone treatments, for example. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the luxurious spas at the hotels to unwind!
Terra Caribea’s selection of the most beautiful beaches
- Playa Carrillo, the white-sand beach lined with coconut palms that everyone dreams of.
- Cahuita National Park, a wild, unspoiled area with crystal-clear waters and small coves perfect for swimming before, during, and after hiking through the park!
- Manuel Antonio National Park for its idyllic setting, the coves at the end of the hiking trails, and the chance to encounter wildlife.
- Santa Teresa for surfers seeking great waves and a laid-back vibe.
- Playa Conchal, a little slice of paradise with a beach covered in tiny seashells
- The Gulf of Papagayo, perfect for snorkeling around the surrounding islands!
Our team is here to advise you and help you find the ideal destination, whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, with family, or with friends.
Costa Rica has very few hotels directly on the ocean, but here are the beachfront spots we recommend:
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PACIFIC BEACH RESORTS
The Central Pacific region is known for its beautiful beaches and national parks rich in biodiversity.
Playa Herradura
Originally a small, unremarkable beach near Jaco, Playa Herradura served as the setting for the movie *1492: Columbus*.
This thrust it into the spotlight, and several hotel complexes and a marina were built shortly after the film’s release. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area and have seen the movie!
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a true paradise dotted with coconut palms. This idyllic setting is complemented by incredible biodiversity: toucans, iguanas, coatis, squirrel monkeys, scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, sloths… The park also features four beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or strolling. Twelve hectares of mangroves round out the national park’s 16 km².
The presence of the national park makes this stop a must-see destination appreciated by most visitors. A short walk through the jungle will lead you to stunning, secluded, and untouched coves. If you’d like to enjoy the beaches of Manuel Antonio in peace, arrive very early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Please note that the park is closed on Mondays.
There are many restaurants to offer variety during your stay. Numerous activities are available in the region, such as a vanilla tour, kayaking, or a catamaran excursion.
Uvita
Located between Manuel Antonio and Corcovado, this village is renowned for its many natural waterfalls and its whale- and dolphin-watching tours.
It is situated on a stretch of coastline known as the Costa Ballena on the Pacific Ocean.
This area is home to many hotels offering splendid views of Marino Ballena National Park.
The park was established in 1989 to protect the country’s largest coral reef. The marine reserve owes its name to the humpback whales that migrate through the warm waters to mate during the dry season. Within Marino Ballena National Park lies Whale’s Tail Beach, accessible via a strip of golden sand at low tide. If you choose to visit during the winter, you might be lucky enough to observe the whales’ migration through binoculars.
Dominical
Just 20 minutes from Uvita, this destination is best known for surfing and its big waves year-round. While you’re there, be sure to visit the famous Nauyaca Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.
Don’t miss Playa Hermosa. This beach is generally frequented by advanced surfers because of the quality of the waves that break there.
There are also some nice mid-range hotels near the beach, and most of them have a pool where you can cool off in peace. Swimming is not recommended at this beach due to the currents and waves.
Drake Bay
An ideal stop for adventurers, located very close to Corcovado National Park and named after the famous 16th-century English explorer Sir Francis Drake, Drake Bay consists of a sandy lagoon, rocky cliffs, and forested hills.
Since the ecosystem is preserved as much as possible, it’s not uncommon to spot whales or dolphins offshore. This makes Bahía Drake the perfect place for hiking or relaxing under the coconut palms.
BEACHES OF THE NICOYA PENINSULA
A premier beach destination, the Nicoya Peninsula boasts beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, each one more beautiful than the last. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the driest regions in the country, which explains why a dry deciduous forest borders the peninsula’s splendid, sun-drenched beaches, making it a special place steeped in a unique culture.
Santa Teresa
Located in the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa Beach offers the perfect conditions for surfing and yoga.
In 2011, Forbes Magazine even named Santa Teresa Beach one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world! It’s perfect for an early morning jog. You’ll find plenty of charming hotels and “healthy” restaurants there.
We do not recommend this stop for families.
There are many activities to enjoy in this region: ATV riding, surfing, Cabo Blanco National Park, a visit to the fishing village of Malpais, the hippie village of Montezuma, or snorkeling on Isla Tortuga.
Samara
Relax on the gray sand of Samara Beach, a family-friendly seaside resort popular with French visitors. There are plenty of activities to enjoy on this beach: horseback riding, scuba diving, and snorkeling are just a few examples of the wide range of options available.
For lovers of beautiful white-sand beaches, a detour to Playa Carrillo is definitely worth considering!
Nosara
Nosara mainly attracts surfers and yoga enthusiasts, but also travelers looking for luxurious hotels to end their trip on a high note.
Be sure to check out Playa Guiones, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
SEASIDE TOWNS IN GUANACASTE
Tamarindo Beach Resort
The premier beach resort in the northern part of the region, Tamarindo Beach is a gray-sand beach where surfers mingle with beachgoers. Made famous by its appearance in the legendary film *Point Break*, this spot has evolved from a wild, unspoiled beach into a full-fledged small town, with shops, hotels, and restaurants lining the beachfront.
This destination is very popular with Americans.
Papagayo Peninsula
This small peninsula was formed by volcanic activity and is renowned for having the country’s most beautiful waters. Whether you’re relaxing or snorkeling around Santa Catalina and Murciélagos Islands, you’ll enjoy your beach vacation in an incredible setting along its 25 km coastline, lined with 31 beaches, at one of the country’s most luxurious hotels—some of which feature private beaches.
Playa Conchal
Literally meaning “shell beach,” Playa Conchal is one of a kind. Its white sand is made up of several million tiny crushed shells.
The turquoise waters here are crystal clear, making it even easier to spot fish.
CARIBBEAN BEACHES
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This is the main town in this region of the Southern Caribbean, known not only for its variety of aquatic ecosystems and its black- and white-sand beaches, but also for its atmosphere influenced by its Jamaican roots.
Here you’ll find a seaside market, numerous bars, shops, and restaurants. It’s the perfect stop for those seeking a unique atmosphere with a local vibe. Surfers will find their paradise at Playa Cocles, and don’t miss the stunning parks in Cahuita and Manzanillo.
Punta Uva
This beach is known for being quiet, with beautiful reefs and white sand. Located about 8 km from Puerto Viejo, this beach offers a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown for a while.
Located in the heart of the“Gandoca-Manzanillo”nature reserve, you’ll see plenty of wildlife around the beach, in the marshes, and among the mangroves: monkeys, sloths, birds, amphibians, reptiles… We recommend visiting with your family, as children can swim safely here.
Check out our tours featuring one or more of these beach resorts below, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team—who might just be returning from a weekend at the beach!
