Nearly all of the beaches in Costa Rica offer seclusion, beauty, and wildlife to enjoy.

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Some are clearly geared towards tourists while others retain the charm of a land less traveled. After visiting many of the beaches of this small country I have compiled a list of my favorites below:

  1. Punta Uva: Puerto Viejo is one of the nicest beach areas that I have ever been to. It is situated on the Caribbean coast and enjoys a beautiful climate year round. There is a real laid back atmosphere with a Rastafarian vibe as a back drop.

    It is a 5 hour drive from the capitol of San Jose, on a beautiful highway. The area offers something for everyone; hiking, swimming, snorkeling, various adventure sports, and great food.

    The main town where you will find shopping and lodging is Puerto Viejo but the most beautiful beach is Punta Uva, about 15 mins outside of town on a rustic dirt road.

    There you will find pristine water, a snorkeling reef just off shore, and most days you will be visited by a local troupe of howler monkeys. If you go be prepared, it is secluded and although the town is a short drive away there are NO services at the beach itself.

    For beach properties in the Southern Caribbean area, please see Costa Rica Realtors Most Recommended. Manuel Pinto on the Caribbean coast.

  2. Esterillos. Esterillos is also a beautiful beach and a nice option if you are on a tighter time constraint. Only 1 1/2 hours away from San Jose and sitting on the Pacific coast, this can easily be a day trip.

    It is also a secluded beach but there are services including a couple restaurants. During low tide there are fabulous tide pools to explore and the large mermaid statue makes a perfect photo opportunity.

    Please be aware during high tide as this is a rough beach which gets populated quickly with the local surfers. Sit back and enjoy watching them brave the waves!

    If you are looking for homes, apartments or land for sale near the beach in the Esterillos area, please see Costa Rica Realtor in Jaco David Karr.

  3. Flamingo Beach. Flamingo is situated in Guanacaste and is also on the Pacific coast. You can fly into either of the international airports but this beach is much closer to Liberia in Northern Costa Rica.

    There is a full service marina and world class fishing. The beach itself is pristine white sand while the water is crystal clear.

    It is a more upscale area and that will be reflected in the prices for everything from food to lodging. Scuba diving, golf, and deep sea fishing are all popular things to do in this area besides lounging the day away at the beach.

    For ocean view beach properties in the Flamingo area, please see Costa Rica Realtors Most Recommended – Becky Clower with FREE online video interview.

  4. Dominical. Located on the pacific coast Dominical is a beautiful beach with amazing surf. Popular with surfers and backpackers yet still a small town that has, to date, escaped the boom of development.

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    The final stretch of roadway has just recently been finished shortening the trip by over an hour so it is now just a 4 hour drive from San Jose. It’s a laid back, fun town full of cute boutique hotels and restaurants.

    If you go be sure to check out Playa Ventanas during low tide for great cave exploring, Nauyaca waterfalls complete with refreshing swimming holes, and Parque Reptilandia for one of the best reptile exhibits in Costa Rica. And if you venture into the water be careful riptides are common and very dangerous.

    If you are looking for homes or land for sale near the beach in Dominical please see the Video interview with Daveed Hollander from the Southern Pacific Coast.

  5. Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio is the most touristy spot on my list. Although it is absolutely geared towards tourists with a great nightlife, American restaurants, and fancy hotels lining the entire roadway it is still a beautiful spot and a ‘must see’ in my opinion.

    The national park is the most visited in the country and for good reason. There you will find stunning tranquil beaches right up against a dense jungle full of monkeys, sloths, anteaters, and more.

    The park is closed on Mondays so you can enjoy one of the numerous tours in the area or just laze by the pool. There is a diverse selection of restaurants, my favorite being delicious Mexican fare at Sancho’s, also a must see, or eat I suppose. Manuel Antonio is a quick 2.5 hours from San Jose, but do yourself a favor and stay at least 1-2 nights to really enjoy the area.

  6. Samara. Samara beach is located on the northern side of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s a 4 1/2 hour drive from San Jose but well worth the trip. There you will find a long white sand beach with shallow gentle waters that are wonderful for children. There is also a large coral reef to explore and many boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and restaurants to choose from.

    On my trips to the area there has been no shortage of wildlife, howler monkeys seem to inundate the area and the sea life is spectacular. Be sure to get out on one of the various boat tours where you will discover everything from dolphins and huge manta rays to slow moving giant turtles. Carillo beach is right around the corner, literally, and also worth a visit.

All of these beaches are great choices when visiting Costa Rica. Honorable mention goes to Bejuco beach, Playa Conchal, Playa Danita, and Manzanillo however, no matter which beach in Costa Rica you choose, tranquility and fun will be had by all.

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Written by VIP Member Mary Hickcox who moved to Atenas, Costa Rica with her husband and children in 2006.

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