Tropical tranquility: exploring Costa Rica’s best beaches

Central America certainly doesn’t lack for tropical vacation destinations. But if you only visit one of them, there’s a powerful argument for choosing Costa Rica, and the beaches that punctuate the nation’s two stunning coastlines are a major factor in its favor.

For those interested in a trip to Costa Rica, “best beaches” covers a lot of ground as a category, encompassing everything from less-visited serene sands to popular adventure-packed hotspots (and plenty in-between). We’ll look at locales along the Pacific Ocean coast and the much shorter but no less beautiful shoreline of the Caribbean Sea, and delve into the natural attractions, biodiversity, and activities you can expect at or near each beach.

Turquoise heaven: the best beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast

Stretching along about 631 mi (1,016 km) of the country’s total 800 mi (1,290 km) of coastline, the western beaches of Costa Rica stand out as some of the most remarkable in the Western Hemisphere, let alone the tropical zone. All the spots we’ll discuss below are worth considering as part of a Costa Rican getaway, though we’d encourage you not to limit yourself to the most popular locations.

The hotspots (or “crowd-spots”)

On the Pacific side, virtually all of the beaches look out on waters that shimmer turquoise-blue under the tropical sun — a shade that, while not unique to Costa Rica, is so striking that you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking it’s an endemic color.

Some of the country’s best-known playas are distinguished by the hue of their sand. For example, Playas Hermosa and Negra both feature stark, charcoal-black sand, left behind by Costa Rica’s volcanic activity. By contrast, Playas Conchal and Carrillo have radiant, sparkling white sand. Playa Uvita and Playa Tamarindo, meanwhile, are the sort of tan sand you’re likely used to seeing.

Unfortunately, spots like these are frequently jampacked during the dry season (running from December to March). Reasons vary from proximity to Liberia Airport or Costa Rica’s many resorts to — in Tamarindo’s case — a legendary reputation among surfers. If your heart is set on a popular beach, consider booking your trip for climate-transition months like November or April: there will be just enough rainfall to discourage numerous vacationers, but nothing like what you’d get if stuck in the true rainy season.

Lesser-known wonders

Because there are so many beaches on the Pacific side, you can often find playas that offer the same appeal as the tourist magnets but are much less crowded.

For example, Jaco is home to the aforementioned, oft-crowded Playa Hermosa, but the nearby Playa Jaco is just as ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or plain old relaxing on the shore, and attracts quite a bit less attention. Also, you can climb cliffs not far from the shoreline to catch stunning views of the Costa Rica waters, and the city of Jaco features dozens of restaurants and clubs for those with a taste for nightlife. Along similar lines, surfers who want to dodge the crowds at Playa Tamarindo can find favorable waters and fewer tourists at Playas Grande and Langosta (though the latter features more powerful waves best suited to more experienced surfers).

Arguably, the best way to avoid the biggest crowds is to visit beaches that require effort to reach. Playa San Juanillo, in the Guanacaste Province near Ostional, juts out like a miniature peninsula to offer an out-of-this-world view (plus swimming, snorkeling, and fishing at high tide). But you’ll only make it there by boat or in a vehicle that can handle rough terrain. Bahia de los Piratas, near Matapalo, requires navigating winding, sometimes confusing backroads. The reward for getting there is a lively but rarely overcrowded beach featuring ATV and horseback tours of the white sands, plus calm waters ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and spearfishing.

Splendid isolation: Costa Rica’s best Caribbean beaches

The best beaches on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica don’t always feature tranquil waters like many of the Pacific playas, but they all offer equally rewarding experiences and impeccable natural beauty. Also, generally speaking, the Caribbean coastline offers more opportunities for beach vacations in Costa Rica that are much less tourist-packed (in part because its Pacific counterpart dwarfs it).

One important thing to remember: there are quite a few beaches on the Caribbean side that share names with Costa Rican Pacific beaches. Be sure to be specific when researching and planning for your vacation!

Quiet getaways

Unlike the Pacific beach that also bears its name, the Playa Grande near Manzanillo on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has relatively calm waters. To avoid confusion, you can call the area Playa Manzanillo — the locals often do. There is another Playa Manzanillo that faces the Pacific, but it’s not as cherished as this beach and the surrounding areas.

If seeking the serenity of a place largely unspoiled by resorts, Playa Grande (or Manzanillo) is your ideal beach. Both Grande and the nearby shores of Punta Uva feature fairly calm cerulean blue water that’s perfect for swimming or snorkeling (and you’ll see beautiful, unspoiled coral and too many audaciously colored fish species to count if you go under). Playa Bonita, further north along the Caribbean shore, is similarly light on crowds and heavy on opportunities for shorebound relaxation or sublime swimming.

As with many Costa Rican beaches, Playas Grande/Manzanillo and Bonita are close to conservation areas with flora and fauna that must be seen to be believed. There’s the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where sloths hang from trees, rare crocodiles swim the rivers, and dozens of rare birds roost. Bonita, meanwhile, is close to Veragua Rainforest Park, which is known for everything from its diverse reptile, amphibian, insect, and avian habitats to the rare monkey and sloth species that call it home.

And then there’s Tortuguero. Tucked away in a hamlet on the far northern end of the Caribbean coast, the beach isn’t easy to find or as visually stunning as some Costa Rican playas, but anyone interested in wildlife or sustainability will consider it essential. Four sea turtle species nest here: green, leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles. As the staff of the local Sea Turtle Conservancy (the oldest of its kind in the world) will tell you, they’re all vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered (in the hawksbill’s case). The turtles nest from July to October, and the tail end of that period is relatively dry, especially considering that the Caribbean coast is much rainier than the Pacific. These giant, oft-ancient amphibians are a sight to behold — just be sure to give them some space as you observe.

Surfing sanctuaries

At beaches where the waves are a little rougher, expect to see surfers out in force, albeit not as much so as on the Pacific side. Playa Negra in Cahuita has black sand similar to its Pacific doppelganger, but the waves are smaller — easier for new surfers. Conversely, Playa Salsa Brava in Limon Province is best suited to those with notable wave-riding experience.

Novice surfers — or those who just want to be at their leisure — can still enjoy these beaches and nearby attractions. Playa Negra is close to Cahuita National Park, where you can snorkel or scuba-dive amid centuries-old shipwrecks. At Salsa Brava, elegant palm trees provide ample shade, and the surfers’ exploits are plenty of fun to watch — especially with refreshments from the beach’s bars — if you’re not keen to participate.

How to plan a beach trip to Costa Rica

Expect rain

Costa Rica’s climate is defined by rainy and dry seasons, but the particulars differ from coast to coast. The Pacific-facing region of Costa Rica is dry from December to March and rainy from May to October (with a semi-dry period from July to August). On the Caribbean side, it’s much rainier: February and September are the driest months and even then, you can expect about 4-8 inches of rain (100-200 millimeters) for both periods.

Simply put: if you opt for Costa Rica’s Caribbean beaches, you’ll likely deal with rain. Most of it comes at night or in the morning, but it behooves you to be prepared with raincoats and strong umbrellas even when it’s sunny and clear. You can stick strictly to the two “dry” months or try transitional months like January or August — in fact, August is a must if you want to observe the turtles at Tortuguero. But no matter what, be sure to have proper gear and don’t stray too far from shelter when the rain is falling.

Because the Pacific region is more predictable, it’s likely the best choice for travelers who truly can’t stand the rain. On the other hand, December, January, and February attract the most tourists, and March is the pinnacle of sweltering dry equatorial heat. Pacific beachgoers may be best off choosing transition months (November, April) or the semi-dry July through August (a period Costa Ricans call veranillo).

Mind the terrain

Other than in the most urbanized areas like San Jose, the roads of Costa Rica aren’t meant for compact cars and sedans. (Putting it mildly.) Plenty of the best beaches on either coast can only be reached with a 4×4 truck or all-terrain SUV because the paths to them sometimes aren’t “roads” at all for long stretches. Vehicles this tough are also necessary if you intend to explore the rainforest or the country’s mountainous areas, so make sure to rent one or request a driver who’ll know the right auto for your trip.

Respect the environment

Costa Rica owes the unspoiled endurance of its natural beauty in no small part to a local population committed to preserving it. A full 25% of Costa Rica’s landmass is protected territory, in the form of numerous national parks, preserves, and refuges, and quite a few of these are close to the country’s beaches.

To be clear, these areas are intended for public visitation, with certain restrictions. But there’s a reason why ecotourism accounts for about 25% of all Costa Rican tourism revenue (a figure almost certain to rise in years to come): the locals and government alike want visitors to practice sustainability while they bask in the grandeur of the flora and fauna, which, among other things, means not disturbing the insects or feeding any animals and disrupting their natural diet.

(Rest assured that at TravelLocal, as a Travelife Partner, we do our utmost to make sure the lodging and businesses you patronize as part of our Costa Rica tours are sustainable-certified.)

Make it happen

Our local experts can help you determine the optimal time and location of your trip, so you have the best possible experience along the shores of Costa Rica. Get in touch with them whenever you’re ready to start plotting your getaway.