17 Best Beaches in Costa Rica

When going for a relaxed sunny holiday in Central America, one of the best options that comes to mind is Costa Rica. In this article, we have created a list of 17 of the best beaches in Costa Rica. They are not listed in any order, simply because there is no way to determine which is really the best one. They are all magnificent. Costa Rica is really an incredible country to visit.

The Costa Rican coastline offers visitors a wide variety of beaches to enjoy, from secluded coves to wide expanses with stunning views. Some popular choices for beach-goers include Playa Negra, Isla del Coco, and Tamarindo. Each has its own appeal, making it difficult to choose just one favorite spot. Visitors can expect clear water, soft sand, and plenty of sun throughout the year.

Costa Rica

What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is known for its lush rain forests and beautiful beaches. The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on what you are really looking for. If you are looking for the best beaches in Costa Rica, the best time to visit is from December to April when the weather is hot and sunny. If you are looking for rain forests, the best time to visit is from May to November when it is cooler and the rains are more frequent.

Best beaches in Costa Rica

While most visitors to Costa Rica have experienced the country’s beautiful beaches, there are also plenty of other eco-tourism opportunities available. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one such destination, offering visitors a chance to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Costa Rica’s famous cloud forest.

Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Costa Rica is a small, but diverse country, with plenty of natural beauty to offer visitors. One of the most popular beaches is Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste. This beach has everything you could want in a tropical paradise: white sand, translucent water, and a lush backdrop of palm trees. It’s no wonder that it’s consistently rated as one of the best beaches in Costa Rica.

If you’re looking for some excitement, Tamarindo Beach is the place to be. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, from surfing and snorkeling to golfing and ATV tours. And when you’re ready to relax, simply find a spot on the sand and soak up the sun.

This Costa Rica beach is also a great place to take your family. North of Tamarindo Beach is the town of Sámara, about 45 minutes away. This small town makes for a great day trip, with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. You can get out and about exploring this area on foot or by bike.

Best Beaches in Costa Rica - Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste

Manuel Antonio Beach, Quepos

The Manuel Antonio Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the waves. The sand is white and the water is blue. The beach is located in Manuel Antonio National Park in the Quepos area. The park has many different animals including monkeys, sloths, and raccoons. With its stunning Pacific coastline, soft white sand, and crystal-clear waters, it’s easy to see why this area is so popular.

Being one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, you can find a variety of activities to keep you busy here, from swimming and sunbathing to snorkeling and kayaking. And if you’re looking for a little bit of excitement, there are plenty of adventures to be had in the surrounding rainforest.

Best Beach in Costa Rica

Dominical Beach, South Pacific

Dominical Beach is a stunning beach located on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. With its soft white sand and transparent water, it’s no wonder that Dominical Beach is often named one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. The waves here are perfect for surfing, and the beach is also great for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.

Best Beach in Costa Rica

Costa Ballena Beach, South Pacific

Costa Ballena is a beautiful beach located in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica. This beach is known for its crystal clear waters and soft white sand beaches. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and fishing. The best time to visit Costa Ballena is from December to April when the weather is warm and sunny.

Costa Ballena Beach, South Pacific

Nacascolo Beach, Papagayo Peninsula

If you’re looking for the best beach in Costa Rica, you’ll find it at Nacascolo Beach on the Papagayo Peninsula. This stunning, white-sand beach is located in a secluded area and offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. The water in this Costa Rica beach is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and scuba diving. There are also plenty of trees nearby that provide shade, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery.

Nacascolo Beach, Papagayo Peninsula

Montezuma Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Nicoya Peninsula is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica, and for good reason. The beaches here are some of the best in the country. One of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on the peninsula is Montezuma Beach.

This Costa Rica beach is a great spot for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. The water is so clean and there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby if you need a break from the sun.

Montezuma Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Ostional beach, Guanacaste

If you’re looking for the best beach in Costa Rica, you need to head to Ostional Beach in Guanacaste. This stunning beach is located on the Pacific Coast, and it’s known for its big waves, which makes the conditions for surfing.

The waves are perfect for surfers of all levels, and the coral reefs are teeming with fish. One of the best attractions of the Ostional beach are the Olive Ridley sea turtles that have nestled on this Costa Rica beach.

Ostional beach, Guanacaste

Samara Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Samara Beach is located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica and is often considered the best beach in Costa Rica. The long sandy beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. There are also a few restaurants and bars located on the beach, as well as several small shops. The beach is beautiful and serene, and it’s easy to spend a day or two here just relaxing in the sun.

Samara Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Conchal Beach, Guanacaste

If Guanacaste is your idea of a tropical paradise, you need to visit Conchal Beach. Located in the province of Guanacaste, this world-famous beach is known for its white sand and crystal clear waters. It’s also one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, so be prepared for a crowd.

If you’re looking for something a little less crowded, head to Playa Hermosa or Playa Brasilito. Both are located close to Conchal Beach and offer stunning views and plenty of activities like sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

No matter which beach you choose, Costa Rica is sure to amaze you with its natural beauty and endless list of things to do.

Conchal Beach, Guanacaste

Nacascolo Beach, Papagayo Peninsula

If you’re looking for the best beach in Costa Rica, you’ll find it at Nacascolo Beach on the Papagayo Peninsula. This stunning, white-sand beach is located in a secluded area and offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. The water here is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and scuba diving. There are also plenty of trees nearby that provide shade, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery.

Nacascolo Beach, Papagayo Peninsula

Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste

The Hermosa Beach is located in the province of Guanacaste and is known as one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. It’s well known for its surfing and its great waves. The beach is also great for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. There are several restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a few small shops.

Hermosa Beach, Guanacaste

Nosara Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

The Nicoya Peninsula is a stunning region in Costa Rica that is known for its beautiful beaches. Nosara Beach is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and most popular beaches on the peninsula. It has very clear waters, golden sand beaches, and a lush jungle backdrop. The waves at Nosara Beach are perfect for surfing, and the beach is also a great place to relax and sunbathe.

Nosara Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Whale Tail Beach (Uvita)

If you’re looking for a breathtaking beach to relax on in Costa Rica, Whale Tail Beach in Uvita is the place for you. This secluded Costa Rica beach is known for its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and beautiful sunsets. It’s also home to some of the best snorkeling in the country. You can find a quiet spot to relax on the sand or take a swim in the ocean. The beach is located close to other popular Costa Rican destinations, such as Manuel Antonio National Park and Marino Ballena National Park, so it’s easy to make a day trip out of your visit.

Whale Tail Beach (Uvita)

Flamingo Beach, Guanacaste

One of the best beaches in Costa Rica in terms of stunning scenery is Flamingo Beach. This beach has it all – clear turquoise waters, golden sand beaches, and lush green jungle surroundings. It’s no wonder that Flamingo Beach is considered one of the best beaches in Costa Rica.

Flamingo Beach is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, about an hour’s drive from San Jose. The beach stretches for over a mile, and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The water here is crystal clear, with a wide variety of fish to see coral reefs.

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, Flamingo Beach is also a great place to go surfing or kayaking.

Flamingo Beach, Guanacaste

Cocolito Beach, Montezuma

Cocolito is a small beach located in the area of Montezuma, Costa Rica. This beach is known for its sky blue waters and tranquil atmosphere. Cocolito is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

Costa Rica is filled with beautiful beaches, but Cocolito Beach is often considered the best of them all. The sparkling ocean water and soft white sand make it a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. There are also a few small restaurants and bars in the area, making it the perfect place to spend a day or two.

Cocolito Beach, Montezuma

Playa Manzanillo

The seashore at Manzanillo is one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Located in the Puntarenas Province, this beach is one of the most visited in the country. The sand is white and the water is a deep blue. It’s no wonder that this Costa Rica beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Manzanillo is located on the Pacific Coast, about two hours from San Jose. The drive from San Jose is definitely worth it, as you will be treated to stunning views of the Costa Rican landscape along the way.

Playa Manzanillo

Santa Teresa & Malpais Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

There are many beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, but Santa Teresa and Malpais Beach on the Nicoya Peninsula are two of the best. Santa Teresa is a long, wide beach with gentle waves and soft sand. It’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. Malpais is a smaller, more secluded beach with rocky cliffs and powerful waves. It’s great for bodysurfing, surfing, and fishing.

Santa Teresa & Malpais Beach, Nicoya Peninsula

Playa Carrillo

The Carrillo Beach is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in Costa Rica. It is known for its clear turquoise waters and lovely white sand beaches. The beach is situated in the Guanacaste province, on the Pacific Coast. It can be accessed by a short drive from the town of Nosara.

The Carrillo Beach is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The water is translucent and there are plenty of coral reefs to explore.

Playa Carrillo

Conclusion

In conclusion, Costa Rica is a great place to visit for its beaches. The best beaches are found on the Pacific coast and can be enjoyed by both tourists and locals. There are plenty of activities to enjoy on these beaches, such as swimming, surfing, and sunbathing. So if you’re looking for an amazing beach vacation, be sure to add Costa Rica to your list!