Top Five Beaches in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its beautiful weather and gorgeous white sand beaches. Every day in Costa Rica is beach weather and the sheer number of beaches make them extremely accessible for tourists and locals without much hassle.
There are so many options to choose from, and every beach in Costa Rica brings a different vibe with it. Here are the top five beaches in Costa Rica that every first-timer should visit at least once.
Best Beaches in Costa Rica
01. Manuel Antonio
There are several beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park, and the town of Manuel Antonio also boasts a few tourist-friendly beaches. For example, Playa Espadilla is a beach just outside the national park that is a hotspot for both locals and tourists.
If you want to venture inside the park, there is a 30-minute walk through the jungle before you reach the water. Take your time on the walk as you may see several species of birds, animals, and butterflies on your journey.
02. Playa Tamarindo
Looking for a beach with lots of action? Playa Tamarindo is the spot for you! This beach is mainly a surf spot for both tourists and locals. There are several different sizes of waves hitting the beach, so if you’re not a professional surfer yet you have plenty of opportunity to start small and work your way up.
Once you’re done playing in the waves, check out the town of Tamarindo. It’s a great town to do some shopping and stop for a bite to eat after a long day in the sun.
03. Playa Punta Uva
If you want to avoid crowds and aren’t interested in surfing, set up shop at Playa Punta Ova. There are very few nearby resorts so the beach isn’t overly crowded with tourists.
Playa Punta Uva is a place you can lay out a towel and do some reading in between leisurely dips in the warm water. The beach is also home to a large range of wildlife, and many beach-goers have reported seeing sloths hanging from the surrounding trees.
04. Playa Tortugero
Tortugero translates roughly to ‘turtle region,’ and if you’re a turtle lover you will not be disappointed by this amazing beach. Visit during the peak season of July through October in order to see a variety of turtle species nesting in their natural habitat.
This beach can only be accessed by boat or plane, and in order to view the turtles nesting (which is mainly after 6pm) you’ll need to be accompanied by a local guide. The amazing experience is well worth the planning.
05. Playa Negra
Whether you’re looking for trails to explore, a quiet spot to enjoy some reading in the sun, or an active surf culture, you can find it at Playa Negra.
This beach is one of the best black sand beaches in all of Costa Rica. It is six miles of pitch black sand so even during Costa Rica’s peak tourist season, there are plenty of spots to park your gear and spend a day at the beach.
Final Thoughts
Convinced you need to visit Costa Rica yet? No matter what vibe you’re in the mood for, there is a world-class beach experience for you here. Thank you for checking out our list of the top five beaches in Costa Rica.
