Beaches Guide of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country, still it includes more than 700 miles of coastline on the Pacific side and around 130 miles on the Caribbean side. The weather in this country is hot and humid in the coastal areas all year long.
The dry season starts in December and ends in March on the Pacific side, but the Caribbean coast has it's own micro-climate and this means that there can rain any time! Typically, in Costa Rica the mornings are bright and sunny, but often in the afternoon you'll see short but strong rain storms. The driest months on the Caribbean side are in August and September.

Snorkeling

Almoast all beaches from Costa Rica have very good conditions for surfing, featuring strong tides and high waves, but allow also great snorkeling and kayaking. Small to medium sized coves and protected beaches provide safe and calm water; all this places are suitable for a perfect family vacation and are great places for snorkeling and kayaking.

Playa Hermosa from Guanacaste

In Costa Rica are three beaches with this name. The best beach for snorkeling is located in Guanacaste, a province in the northwestern region. It's a beautiful spot with blue water, colored sand, and a beach with a gently sloping bottom. Playa Hermosa can be easy reached, being located at just 35 minute drive from the International airport from Liberia. Kayaking and sailing here is also wonderful. Hermosa don't have any accommodation, but Playas del Coco is located at 8 km and here you can find affordable accommodation, restaurants, banks, shopping, and small local bars. You'll find here all types of accommodation, from moderate hotels to luxury resorts, including a large collection of beachfront hotels.

Playa Ocotal

Located just 2 km south from Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal is the small beautiful cove, excellent for snorkeling. This place has calm blue waters and a dark sand beach. The beach is dominated by a resort with the same name, situated on a hill.

Playa Conchal

This is one of the favorite beaches in Costa Rica. The sand is very light in color, the water is turquoise and extremely calm. The only beachfront accommodation present here is the ultra-expensive Paradisus Playa Conchal. It's easy to access the beach for the vacationers accommodated in this resort, but for others reaching this beach involve a drive across Brasilito beach, a crossing over a small stream, and a climbing of a small but rocky hill.

Punta Uva and Manzanillo

On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Punta Uva and Manzanillo beaches consist from several secluded beaches and feature fantastic wildlife due to Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This area provides less infrastructure than the Pacific side and don't has big resort accommodation. Still, budget- to mid-range hotel accommodations are plentiful. Manzanillo is a fishing village located at a short distance from the border with the state Panama. This area is considered a tourism paradise. Many bird species and other wildlife can be seen on this secluded and beautiful beaches.

Isla del Cano

In the southern Pacific region, easily accessible from Osa peninsula, lies Isla del Cano. The island is not inhabited, but it includes a ranger station and a small beach area with white sand and clear blue waters. This area is considered to be the best snorkeling and scuba diving area in the country. A day trip to this beach can be arranged from Ballena National Park.

Ballena National Park

Ballena means whale in Spanish. The park provides excellent snorkeling and other nice beach activities in its northern section. Whale and dolphin frequent this area and can be seen each year, especially between August and March.

Surfing

Tamarindo

The surfing capital of Costa Rica is Tamarindo, located in the northwestern Pacific region. Tamarindo is a vacation area, with many young surfers enjoying the sun and the waves all year round. The town provides numerous surf schools and surf camps for beginners.

Playa Grande

Playa Grande is settled just north from Tamarindo and it's recommended for experienced surfers only. A large number of secluded beaches can be found in this area, so you can spend here a more intimate beach vacation.

Playa Naranjo

Playa Naranjo, also known as "Witches Rock", provides wilde surfing and huge waves; located nearby to the south, Playa Negra is a volcanic black sand beach offering also great surfing conditions.

Malpais

Located on the southern region of Nicoya peninsula, this area provides fantastic surfing, without the crowded and commercialized environment that can be found in Tamarindo. The sandy bottom of the water and the great waves provide excellent surfing conditions for both beginners and experts.

Playa Santa Teresa

Playa Santa Teresa is nowadays a very popular surfing area. The beach provides budget and resort style accommodation, so each traveler will find a place suitable for him.

Playa Jaco

Settled in the central region of the Pacific coast, Jaco provides great surfing conditions, features a good staff for instruction and offers the most lively nightlife on the entire coastline of Costa Rica.

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa, located at south from Jaco, includes miles of sandy beaches.

Playa Pavones and Zancudo

The southern Pacific region includes many beaches in Golfo Dulce and Osa peninsula. Zancudo and Pavones are premier destinations in this area, but are not recommended for beginner surfers.

Many travelers combine a visit to Arenal volcano or a hiking into a rain forest with a beach vacation. Usually, a perfect vacation in Costa Rica features a few outdoor activities followed by relaxation on one of Costa Rica's sandy beaches. Have fun deciding on which one!