Beaches in Costa Rica

Stretched along the magnificent Caribbean coast, Playa Chiquita is just southeast of Puerto Viejo and is about four-hour drive from San Jose. Huge and almost deserted, Playa Chiquita is perfect for those who want to enjoy fine sand and swim in clear waters on their own. The beach consists of several small bays, so it is easy to find your own quiet stretch of the beach with no other soul in sight.

The fact that there is no direct road access to the beach, which is accessible only by several trails, helps to keep the beach remain secluded. The beach is spectacular for snorkeling or diving coral reefs. Swim with caution, because the water can get rough. There is no real shopping area in the village but there are a few restaurants and services along the main road.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa is a small picturesque town on Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica, about 93 miles from San Jos. Once a remote fishing village, Santa Teresa grew into a popular tourist destination mostly due to its spectacular beaches. Playa Santa Teresa is a large, wide expanse of fine white sand open to Pacific Ocean and surrounded by verdant hills and lush tropical jungle.

While the beach is isolated and still fairly undeveloped, it has recently become more popular and it is no longer easy to spend the day enjoying the beach alone. Some of the main attractions are rocky tide pools and two excellent surf spots, La Lora and Suck Rock, known for consistent year-around waves. The waves are large, steep and hollow, and can be up to 20 feet high. The famous waves are the reason for Playa Santa Teresa's annual international surfers' competitions. If you are not into surfing, the beach is also great for swimming, hiking, snorkeling, sailing and is a great starting point for deep sea fishing.

15 Km de Cobano | 15 Km de Cobano, 60111, Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Province of Puntarenas, Santa Teresa 60111, Costa Rica

Samara is a charming coastal village located on the western shore of Nicoya Peninsula, with three miles of spectacular coastline and some magnificent beaches. Playa Samara is beautiful stretch of fine white sand, protected by a bay, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation on one side and aquamarine water with rich living coral reef on the other. The beach was popular amongst locals long before foreign tourists discovered it and offers a range of hotels, restaurants and night clubs.

The beach is fairly shallow with gentle waters and is considered one of the safest beaches in Costa Rica, perfect for families. In the middle of the bay, just off the beach, is Isla Chora, a small, deserted wooded island, full of birds which bird watchers can enjoy watching from a kayak. The beach's packed sand is great for hiking on. Snorkeling and diving will let you discover the mysterious underwater world and Samara is a great starting point for sport fishing.

Located on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Nicoya Peninsula is the biggest peninsula in Costa Rica, famous for its spectacular isolated beaches, rugged scenic coastline and great small touristy towns and villages. It offers nature reserves such as Cabo Blanco, wildlife refuges including Camaronal, Curu and many others, a professional golf course in Tambor, turtle hatcheries, and the best surfing on the Pacific Coast.

Additionally, the Peninsula is home to magnificent sunsets, pristine beaches, coastal resorts, world class hotels and quaint coastal villages. Nicoya Peninsula has it all. With three international airports to serve it, it is easily accessible and quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.

Located about five miles from the lively town Puerto Viejo on the scenic Caribbean coast, the quiet beach at Punta Uva is famous for calm waters, fine white sand and magnificent reefs. Relaxed and quiet, the beach is perfect for those who want to commune with nature, teach kids to swim, snorkel to the reefs or stroll through the surrounding jungle to see monkeys and many kind of birds.

There are no golf courses or fancy resorts - as most of the area is part of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. However, there is breathtakingly beautiful nature, quaint charming hotels and lodges, and avwonderful mix of people of all colors and national origins.

Located in Guanacaste, only 20 minutes from Liberia's Daniel Oduber International Airport, Playa Hermosa or 'beautiful beach' in Spanish is true to its name with its idyllic scenery and lush nature. This fine grey sandy beach is almost two kilometers long and is surrounded by large rocky volcanic ridges and a lush tropical forest.

It is relaxed, secluded and rarely crowded and can be enjoyed by everyone from those who like a bit of solitude to kids who want to splash in warm waters. The beach is great for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, and the calm waters are perfect for kayaking, windsurfing, sailboarding or jet skiing.

#7 Monte Bello, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Uvita, a quiet little village about 11 miles from Dominical in the South Pacific Region of Costa Rica is a features a slow, relaxed life, magnificent tropical forests and endless expanses of beaches. Uvita Beach is a wonderful vacation spot for those who prefer long walks on the sand over a busy nightlife. Tall stately palms provide welcome shade to sunbathers enjoying the fine white sands of Uvita beach.

The beach is perfect for surfing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. From May to October, the beach isa great place to watch magnificent Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles laying eggs in the sand before they return to the sea. The beach is also a good starting point for kayak trips to nearby mangroves which are full of birds, and to watch passing Humpback whales as they migrate from December and April.

Uvita Beach, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Cocles is a small village on the Atlantic Coast south of Puerto Viejo, in the Caribbean lowlands. This spectacularly beautiful beach, surrounded by lush vegetation, is very popular with international surfers, especially at its northern end., Salsa Brava located nearby, is considered one of the best beaches for surfing in Costa Rica.

This beach has waves that break both to the left and right near the steep beach. Surfing is best early in the day, and between December and March. The beach is also great for swimmers and is one of a few beaches in the area patrolled by lifeguards provided by the local community.

Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Marino Ballena National Park is spread over 270 acres of land and 13,300 acres of ocean. The park is only ten miles south of Dominical and is known for having the largest coral reef on the Central America's Pacific side. Uvita and Ballena beaches are located within the park. At this park you often can see green and black iguanas feeding on algae between the rocks. There is a stretch of rich mangroves between the beaches which is full of birds. The reef forms a protective crescent with the three small islands.

The snorkeling around the reef is great, especially during low tide, but be aware rip currents can be dangerous. Diving trips to nearby islands are available. Other fun activities include beach combing, hiking and whale watching, especially from December to April when humpback whales migrate from places like Alaska and Hawaii on the way to Cano Island, just off Osa Peninsula.

Camino a Playa Chamán, Puntarenas, Uvita, 60504, Costa Rica

Nosara, a village on Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is undeveloped and relaxed, and is surrounded by rich tropical vegetation and miles of pristine beaches. Its most popular beach is Playa Guiones, where most of the village's hotels and restaurants are located and where most visitors spend most oftheir time. The beach is a world-famous surfing destination, with consistent year-around waves.

This spectacular seven kilometers stretch of fine white sand is fantastic for exploring on foot or by bicycle, with several big tide pools which are perfect for snorkeling and relaxing. Playa Guiones' superb surf break makes it popular for surfing, both with beginners and experts. This beach is a great place to learn to surf. Most of the beach is part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge which protects breeding sites of Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles.

Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica