Best Beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches on the coastline and amazing weather mostly all year round. The possibilities of things to do by the water are plentiful. You can find incredible places to surf, kayak, sail, snorkel, and more here. Additionally, the seafood and restaurants by the coast are so fresh and delicious. But with so many beaches to choose from, how do you pick the best one for your trip? We are sharing a few more details on our top beaches so you can plan it perfectly!

The Best Beach for a First Visit

We like to recommend Tamarindo for most large parties because it is so walkable and extremely easy to navigate. There really is something for everyone in this town, it is great for families with older adults or young children. There are a variety of accommodation options from small hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and private villas. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants all just steps from the beach and there are so many tours to enjoy, including ATV tours, horseback tours, and surf lessons. It is also really easy to access from the airport and there are plenty of taxis available for getting around within town.

The Best Beach for Activities

This one is a tough one because most beaches have so much to do! For us, we suggest Tamarindo and Quepos and Manuel Antonio. As we described Tamarindo above, I’ll focus on Manuel Antonio here. This is a great destination because it is not only close to the water so you enjoy water activities but you are also in the rainforest so you can really do everything! This location is on the central Pacific Coast and is popular for big-game sport fishing and as being the gateway to the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park where you have the chance to see so much wildlife. There are awesome hikes that are very easy for an enjoyable wildlife walk. If you are looking for a more thrilling adventure there are ziplines, kayaking around Damas Island, horseback tours, and more.

The Best Beach for a Private Vacation

We highly recommend Playa Danta if you are looking for an intimate place to enjoy your vacation. This beach is a bit out of the way so it is not filled with as many locals or visitors as other beaches. It is a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from the Liberia Airport on the main paved road or you can take an unpaved road that winds up the coastline for a drive that is a bit more adventurous. It is connected to the village of Las Catalinas where you can find some great hotels and villas for your stay. This fully walkable beach town is known for its picturesque Mediterranean-influenced design and high-end atmosphere. It is not located near many shops, there is one small grocery store in the village, so you do need to think of that when visiting. There are fun activities that you can take from here like snorkeling, fishing, and scuba diving! However, the surf on this beach is not great. We think this location is great for people looking to take a slower vacation to relax and enjoy the views.

The Best Beach to Surf in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is filled with some of the best places to surf in the world! The best places for beginners are Tamarindo and Jaco because the breaks are typically smaller and easy to learn on. However, if you are looking for more of a challenge, we recommend Playa Naranjo and the famous surf spot called Witches Rock. Even in the offseason, the surf breaks are very powerful making this an amazing destination for experienced surfers.

These are just a few of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Where have you visited that you loved here? We want to hear from you! Leave us a comment below!

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Kerry Charlotte

Kerry Charlotte

My favorite thing about destination weddings is watching all of the guests explore a new place! I, myself, love learning more about this tropical paradise. I also really enjoy how every single event is completely different and really reflects the couple and their love story.

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