Beach finder
Find the right beach, not the famous one
Costa Rican beaches are wildly different: some are safe swimming coves, some have rip currents that will frighten you. Filter by what you actually want.
Pacific Central · Crowds: High
Playa Manuel Antonio
A sheltered horseshoe cove inside the national park, backed by forest full of monkeys and sloths.
- Swimming
- Calm and shallow — one of the safest swimming beaches on the Pacific.
- Surfing
- No.
- Sand
- Light gold
- Access
- Inside the park; requires timed entry ticket and a 25-minute walk.
Pacific Central · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Biesanz
A small protected cove outside the park, reached by a short forest path.
- Swimming
- Calm and good for children.
- Surfing
- No.
- Sand
- Light gold
- Access
- Ten-minute walk down from the hill road; parking attendants charge a small fee.
Pacific North · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Conchal
Millions of crushed shells instead of sand, with the clearest water in Guanacaste.
- Swimming
- Excellent, with a steep drop-off close to shore.
- Surfing
- No.
- Sand
- Crushed shell
- Access
- Walk 15 minutes from Brasilito or drive the rough access track.
Pacific North · Crowds: High
Playa Tamarindo
A long town beach with river mouth at one end and reliable beginner waves throughout.
- Swimming
- Fine at mid tide; avoid the estuary mouth where crocodiles are present.
- Surfing
- Excellent for beginners and longboarders.
- Sand
- Light tan
- Access
- Walk from anywhere in town.
Pacific North · Crowds: Low
Playa Grande
A long, wild, largely undeveloped beach protected as a leatherback turtle nesting site.
- Swimming
- Strong currents — experienced swimmers only.
- Surfing
- Consistent and powerful; better for intermediates.
- Sand
- Light tan
- Access
- Drive around the estuary from Tamarindo, or take a short boat across.
Nicoya · Crowds: Low
Playa Guiones
Seven kilometres of jungle-backed beach break, kept wild by strict setback rules.
- Swimming
- Possible at low tide but there is usually surf.
- Surfing
- One of the most consistent breaks in the country, good at all levels.
- Sand
- Light tan
- Access
- Several sandy access paths from Nosara's road network.
Nicoya · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Sámara
A reef-protected crescent bay — calm, walkable and family-oriented.
- Swimming
- Among the safest swimming bays in Costa Rica.
- Surfing
- Gentle beginner waves at either end of the bay.
- Sand
- Light tan
- Access
- Walk straight from town.
Nicoya · Crowds: Low
Playa Carrillo
A perfect palm-lined arc with no development on the beach itself.
- Swimming
- Calm and clean.
- Surfing
- Rarely.
- Sand
- Light tan
- Access
- Five-minute drive south of Sámara; roadside parking.
Nicoya · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Santa Teresa
Kilometres of surf beach with tide pools, driftwood and the country's most reliable sunsets.
- Swimming
- Strong shore break and rip currents — swim with care.
- Surfing
- World-class beach break.
- Sand
- Light tan with rock shelves
- Access
- Multiple access points along the main road.
Caribbean · Crowds: Low
Punta Uva
The Caribbean postcard: a reef-protected cove with palms leaning over turquoise water.
- Swimming
- Usually calm and clear — the best swimming on this coast.
- Surfing
- No.
- Sand
- Golden
- Access
- Cycle or drive 20 minutes from Puerto Viejo.
Caribbean · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Cocles
The main surf beach south of town, with lifeguards in high season.
- Swimming
- Strong shore break; swim near lifeguard stations.
- Surfing
- Good beach break, best December–March.
- Sand
- Golden
- Access
- Cycle five minutes from Puerto Viejo.
Caribbean · Crowds: Low
Playa Negra (Cahuita)
A long, quiet black-sand beach with almost no one on it.
- Swimming
- Generally calm, occasional currents.
- Surfing
- Small waves at the north end.
- Sand
- Black volcanic
- Access
- Walk or cycle from Cahuita village.
Pacific South · Crowds: Moderate
Playa Uvita (Whale Tail)
A sandbar shaped like a whale's tail, walkable only at low tide.
- Swimming
- Shallow and calm at the tail; watch the returning tide carefully.
- Surfing
- Occasionally at the river mouth.
- Sand
- Golden with rocky reef
- Access
- Marino Ballena National Park entrance fee; check the tide chart before going.
Pacific Central · Crowds: Low
Playa Hermosa (Jacó)
A ten-kilometre black-sand beach with heavy surf and turtle nesting.
- Swimming
- Not recommended — strong rips.
- Surfing
- Powerful and consistent; experienced surfers only.
- Sand
- Black volcanic
- Access
- Drive ten minutes south of Jacó.