You don’t have to be a beach enthusiast to love Costa Rica, but when as many as 300 beaches hug the coast of this country, this passion certainly helps. People come from all corners of the world during the dry season between November and April to experience the surfing, walking and sun that this Central American land offers.
Now, where to spread the towel? Here is our selection of the best beaches in Costa Rica not to be missed!
Playa Santa Teresa, Puntarenas
Despite the tourist influx that has recently affected the Nicoya peninsula, the beach of Santa Teresa maintains a completely genuine charm. You can still find the “Ticos” (an affectionate name for the locals) intent on fishing on the shores of Santa Teresa and preparing the barbecue and then serving the hungry beachgoers with the spoils of the day.
The strong winds of the sea mean that Playa Santa Teresa can offer the best waves in all of Central America to surf enthusiasts. And if the waves are too raging, you can always appeal to your adventurous side with a ride on the tandal, in the middle of the jungle that is next to the splendid seafront.
Playa Naranjo, Guanacaste
It is impossible to find a whiter beach than Playa Naranjo, an inexplicably neglected beach otherwise known as the pristine pearl of the Gulf of Papagayo.
Located northwest in the country’s Guanacaste province, alongside the metropolis Liberia , this secret beach is the place to visit to escape the general chaos and get in close contact with Mother Nature.
In addition to the splendid beach, you can let yourself be tempted by the charm of the Santa Rosa National Park . Opened in 1791, it is the oldest protected area of its kind in the whole country and offers a unique view towards the splendid ecosystem of northern Costa Rica, with the typical tropical flora, birds and sloths that make this place their home.
Get ready! Since there are no hotels nearby, if you want to experience these wonders close up on the edge of an unreal world, you will have to pitch your tent in one of the well-equipped campsites located in the immense park.
Manuel Antonio National Park, Puntarenas
The smallest and arguably the best protected area in Costa Rica, it boasts not one but four stunning beaches (Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondido and Playita).
A few hours away from San José Airport , and known as one of the country’s favorite tourist areas, visits to the park are limited to 600 people on weekdays and 800 on weekends. This not only means that the wildlife (which includes iguanas, sloths and endangered saimiro squirrels) is able to maintain its relative calm, it also means that the tree-fringed beaches are free from the turbulent hordes of sunbathers. .
Extra tip: As night falls, hop on your quad bike and ride the 7km long route north along the coast to the bustling village of Quepos, home to Costa Rica’s most traditional cuisine and plenty of beach clubs.
Playa Avellana, Guanacaste
Forget the 6m waves that crash here all year round, the main reason to visit this beautiful sandy beach is for the legend of Lola, a 400kg pig!
This little pig was once the star of this pretty beach, nestled in the Guanacaste province and could be encountered on the beach next to Bar Lola , wandering around the surf school or taking a swim in the clear waters of Avellana.
Lola left long ago but, in her place, another heir has ascended the throne in the form of Lolita, whose presence gives Playa Avellana an extravagant, and contagious atmosphere for the fun-loving.
In a nutshell, this is the coolest beach in all of Costa Rica. Join the community of surfers, expats and carefree travelers always looking for a glimmer of sunshine that never seems to stop shining on this golden coast.
Catalina Islands
Just a 30-minute boat ride from Flamingo, the 20 islands that make up the Catalina Archipelago are more than just a handful of sand and beautiful sunshine. With its relatively calm waves breaking on the rocky coast, what people are really looking for in these parts is diving, to discover what lies in the crystal clear waters of the ocean.
Amidst the rainbow of coral reefs, schools of fish and stunning marine life can be found including barracudas, the fluorescent striped Cortez angelfish, giant manta rays and tiger sharks.
Returning to the mainland, the Catalina Islands offer a mix of pristine sandy and pebble beaches, ideal for trekking. Just watch out for the hundreds of sea turtles resting and releasing their eggs around here.
Puerto Viejo, Limón
Where is it possible to laze on the beach in the morning, take a tour of a chocolate plantation for lunch, discover the habitat of butterflies up close in the afternoon, take a horseback ride in the evening and go to a club in flip-flops at nightfall? All of this is only possible in Puerto Viejo .
In this eastern part of Costa Rica it rains a lot more, thus irrigating the dense rainforests found within the Cahuita and Manzanillo National Parks and the surrounding coasts.
Sure, the beaches are pearl white, the water is warm and, with waves six meters high, surfing is a blast but the best thing about the Puerto Viejo coast is the people who live there. A population that includes Afro-Caribbean communities, Indians, ticos and local Bribri indigenous people who live together in harmony and who share a love for this land which is their home.
