Let's visit the best beaches in Costa Rica!

When I first moved to Costa Rica, I noticed that daily life revolved around the beaches. We really don’t need much – just simple accommodations, local food and perhaps a cold Imperial beer or two. As long as we can hit the beach every day to swim, surf or hang out with friends, life is good. 
       
In fact, the beaches are packed first thing in the morning right at sunrise when everyone, young and old, takes strolls, runs, does yoga, walks their dogs and, of course, surfs. Again at sunset, there is a second majestic communal experience where everyone in town comes out to the beach to do it all over again. 

So which beach is the best in Costa Rica? 

Luckily, there isn’t one “right” answer, as there are so many beautiful beaches in Costa Rica that visitors have plenty to choose from. 

Do you like seclusion? Great surf waves? Wildlife and rustic nature? A great place to chill, swim, and eat for the afternoon? Or a party-like atmosphere on your beaches? 

No matter what, there’s a strip of sand (or ten!) with your name on it in Costa Rica. 

We’ll go over our list of best beaches in Costa Rica (although this is completely subjective) and also some hidden gems. 

Here is my list of best beaches in Costa Rica (in no particular order): 

Manuel Antonio National Park 
    •    Four beaches within the park - Manuel Antonio, Playita, Escondito, and Espadilla Sur
    •    Great surf surrounded by pristine natural beauty and white-sand beaches
    •    Daily visitation is limited as two are free public beaches, so be sure to get there early, especially if you go during high season 
    
Playa Uvita 
    •    The “whale tale” is one of the most hidden beaches in Costa Rica
    •    You can only walk out on the “tale” at low tide, as it’s submerged at high tide
    •    Very chill palm tree-lined white sand beaches with waterfalls nearby
    •    Paradise for hiking, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking Playa Tamarindo
    •    One of the most balanced and beautiful beach areas in Costa Rica, with something for everyone – tourists, surfers, nature enthusiasts and partyers

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Playa Tamarindo
    •    Playa Tamarindo is a great long strip of beach, but there are some amazing smaller and more secluded beaches close by Playa Grande
    •    Located in Las Baulas National Park
    •    Great surf spot
    •    Tide pools to explore at low tide
  •    You can find nesting the endangered leatherback sea turtle 
   • Across the estuary from Tamarindo and many people wade, swim or paddle across, but look out for crocodiles! You can take a local transit boat across for cheap instead 

​Playa Avellanas 
    •    Great surf
    •    Recommend stopping at Lola’s Beach Bar, which is named after a famous pet pig that hangs out around the beach Malpais, Playa Santa Teresa, Santa Teresa
    •    Sits at the southwestern cusp of the Nicoya Peninsula, opposite Montezuma
    •    Enough commercial activity to provide creature comforts, but still tranquil and authentic
    •    Great surfing, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling
    •    Scores of great beaches in the area Cahuita, Cahuita National Park
    •    Caribbean white sand beach area east of the small town
    •    Great coral reef for diving and snorkeling
       
• The beaches along the western side near the main entrance to the park are often crowded, but you will find more tranquil coast on the east ​​

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Montezuma 
    •    Beautiful coastline with mangroves, estuaries and tropical forest
    •    Visit Playa Grande and Playa las Manchas right outside of Montezuma
    •    Great chill bohemian beach town with just enough nightlife
    •    Located at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula opposite of Malpais
    •    Montezuma Falls is a three-tiered waterfall nearby Playa Gandoca in Manzanillo

Playa Gandoca-Manzanillo, Gandoca- Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
    •    Located within the wildlife refuge
    •    March through April, (during the dry season,) is the best time to visit
    •    Perfect spot for snorkeling
    •    Great for dolphin and manatee sightings Cano Island, Corcovado Bay
    •    Protected biological reserve ten miles off the Osa Peninsula

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Uvita
    •    White-sand, palm-lined beaches, and fantastic coral reefs
    •    A must-see for nature lovers - tons of pristine wildlife, including dolphins and whales
    •    Great spot for snorkeling and SCUBA Tortuguero
    •    Caribbean beach near the national park famous for its rain forests and waterways
    •    Toruguero is one of the most vital green turtle breeding grounds in Costa Rica
    •    Large and diverse amount of rare birds, monkeys, crocs and fish here 

Playa Cocles, Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo
    •    Surf town with a charming Afro-Caribbean vibe
    •    Some of the best waves in Costa Rica
    •    Awesome black sand beach, or playa negra
    •    Beach bars and restaurants along the coast
   •  Easy access to the nearby Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park
       
More hidden gems among Costa Rica’s beaches: Playa Guiones, Nosara 
    •    Great surf spot
    •    Very little development so bring what you need for the day Playa Virador,

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Papagayo
• The beach is public, but there are no facilities available to visitors 
unless you stay at the Four Seasons 

Playa Potrero, Guanacaste 
    •    Snorkeling, SCUBA, kayaking
    •    If you choose to stay the night there, you can easily access the nearby Palo Verde Natural Reserve and Santa Rosa National Park for a change of scene Playa Arcos
    •    Located in Marino Ballena National Park
    •    Most easily accessed via La Cusinga Ecolodge, where you can find the start of a trail down to the beach
    •    Surrounded by lush jungle
       
Playa Ventanas, Ojochal 
    •    Located near the village of Ojochal, where you can get access to the beach by paying a few dollars to a local family to use their farm for parking
    •    There are two sea caves near the beach that you can explore at low tide

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Playa Barrigona, North of Sámara Playa Carrillo, South of Playa Sámara Isla de Caño
    •    Located 10 miles off the Osa Peninsula
    •    You can reach the Island by boat tour
    •    Great spot for SCUBA and snorkeling Playa Cocalito
    •    A short hike from Drake Bay through lush jungle
    •    Great place for monkey sightings Papagayo Peninsula
• Home to two of the best beaches, Playa Blanca and Playa Virador 
• The Four Seasons hotel controls access to both beaches, but they are technically open to the public if you are willing to hike to reach them ​

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Islas Tortugas 
    •    Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
    •    Warm, clear water
    •    You can access the Islas via boat tour from Montezuma Playa Matapalo
    •    Located between Manuel Antonio and Dominical
    •    Gorgeous sunsets
    •    Playa Ventanas (Playa Grande)
    •    Located just north of Playa Grande Punta Uva
    •    Near Puerto Viejo, five miles west just off the main road
    •    Less development and tourism than Puerto Viejo
    •    Gorgeous coral reef Esterillos
    •    Located between Manuel Antonio and Jacó
    •    Very little development
   
Ostional 
    •    Located on the Nicoya Peninsula
    •    Rarely visited
    •    Here you can find mass nesting sites for sea turtles between August and November
    •    Playa Biesanz
    •    Located in Manuel Antonio in Punta Quepoa
    •    The beach can be reached by a short trail near the Hotel Parador
    •    Less touristy than the other beaches of Manuel Antonio ​

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If you want to discover Costa Rica's beaches, the best places visit, and the top locations for expats, check out the Moving to Costa Rica Handbook!

-Norm  :-)

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