Costa Rica Beach Destinations
Costa Rica Destinations » Costa Rica Beach Destinations
The Costa Rica Beach destinations directory is designed to help you by only listing popular beach destinations. We have included a small description of what to expect in each of these destinations to save you time and narrow down your search. Costa Rica is a country with amazing diversity. Choosing the right destination is very important. Click on the name of individual destinations to read more.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most popular beach destination. White sand beaches lined with palm trees and plenty of wildlife is the best way to describe Manuel Antonio.
Why Manuel Antonio? Swimming Beach, Adventure, Wildlife, Entertainment
Location: Central Pacific coast. Approximately 174 km south of San Jose
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach is among Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. This is an unique area with the perfect combination of calm waters, beautiful beaches and entertainment.
Why Flamingo Beach? Swimming Beach, Wildlife, Entertainment
Location: Northwest Pacific coast, Guanacaste. Approximately 40 km southwest of Liberia.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Cahuita Beach
Cahuita Beach can be best described as a laid back rasta village. The town is also home to Cahuita National Park. When the weather permits, snorkeling is excellent above the reefs.
Why Cahuita Beach? Swimming Beach, Wildlife
Location: Southern Caribbean coast. Approximately 205 km east of San Jose
Combines well with: Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Turrialba Volcano
Dominical Beach
Playa Dominical is one of the most breath taking locations in Costa Rica. This where the mountains crash into the seas". The surf is great in Dominical (translating to poor swimming conditions).
Why Dominical Beach? Surfing Beach, Adventure, Wildlife.
Location: South Pacific coast. Approximately 210 km south of San Jose
Combines well with: Turrialba Volcano, Poas Volcano
Drake Bay
Drake Bay is not only a tropical paradise, but also a great staging point to visit the wilds of Corcovado National Park.
Why Drake Bay? Swimming Beach, Wildlife
Location: Osa Peninsula. Approximately 330 km south of San Jose
Combines well with: You have to take a boat or fly in. Coordination with other areas can be expensive and time consuming.
Jaco Beach and Playa Hermosa
Jaco Beach and Playa Hermosa are a tropical paradise for surfers. Big waves and wild nightlife sums up this miniature city, complete with skyline.
Why Jaco Beach? Surfing Beach, Adventure, Entertainment
Location: Approximately 108 km southeast of San Jose
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Mal Pais
Mal Pais is a surfer's paradise with plam studded beaches, big waves and plenty of big parties.
Why Mal Pais? Surfing
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Montezuma
Montezuma is an offbeat beachside village with plenty to offer. Numerous little shops, restaurants and bars fill the small area between the hillside and the sea.
Why Montezuma? Swimming, Entertainment
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Ocotal and Playa Coco
Playa Coco is a favorite to the local Ticos. There are plenty of shops and entertainment is abundant. Caution should always be utilized at night in this town.
Ocotal Beach is an isolated paradise just south of Coco Beach.
Why Ocotal & Playa Coco? Swimming Beaches
Location: Approximately 35 km southwest of Liberia
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Playa Hermosa and Papagayo
Playa Hermosa is growing in popularity by the day. This quiet beach side village has recently been transformed into a bustling tourist oasis.
The Gulf of Papagayo is home to over half of the alll inclusive Costa Rica resorts. The only downfall is that there is no town center for shops, restaurants or bars.
Why Playa Hermosa & Papagayo? Swimming Beaches
Location: Approximately 35 km west of Liberia
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Nosara Beach
Nosara Beach is another offbeat surfer epicenter with beautiful white sand beaches and laid back feel.
Why Nosara Beach? Surfing, Wildlife
Location: Approximately 70 km south of Liberia
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has become a popular Caribbean surf destination in the last few years. There is no mistaking the reggae vibe and laid back feel of this rasta village.
Surrounding beaches such as Playa Cocles are family friendly and swimmable.
Why Puerto Viejo? Surfing, Wildlife.
Location: Approximately 192 km east of San Jose
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, Tortuguero
Samara Beach and Playa Carrillo
Samara Beach still has not been discovered by mainstream tourism despite it's convenient location to Liberia and stunning beaches.
Carrillo Beach is probably the most postcard perfect beach in Costa Rica.
Why Samara Beach & Playa Carrillo? Swimming Beaches
Location: Approximately 80 km south of Liberia
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a surfer playground with plenty of parties and big waves.
Why Santa Teresa? Surfing Beach
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the most popular Costa Rica beaches, as the small beach side city offers something for just about everyone.
Why Tamarindo? Swimming Beaches, Surfing Beaches, Adventure, Wildlife.
Location: Approximately 50 km southwest of Liberia.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja
Tambor Beach
Tambor Beach is surrounded by scenic peninsulas and an island in front, making this one of the best swimming beaches for families.
Why Tambor Beach? Swimming Beaches
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde
Playa Uvita
Playa Uvita is a rapidly growing beach area located in the South Pacific. The beaches here are protected within the boundaries of Marino Ballena National Park, so there is an entrance fee of $7 pp (rarely enforced).
Why Playa Uvita? Swimming Beaches, Surfing Beaches, Wildlife.
Location: Approximately 180 km south of San Jose
Combines well with: Turrialba Volcano, Poas Volcano
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