Best beaches in Costa Rica

With five per cent of the world’s total biodiversity, Costa Rica is a fascinating destination. It's packed with abundant natural charms, from ethereal cloud forests to the pounding waves of the Pacific Ocean. For many, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination. And the best way to process all the colourful memories? A quiet day or two at one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. You’ll find everything from rugged surf spots to white sand Caribbean charmers. Although this list could have been twice as long (easily!) here we offer a few places to start when it comes to exploring the best beaches in Costa Rica.

1. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Central Pacific Coast

With white sand beaches backed by verdant forests packed with wildlife, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Costa Rica. It is also one of its most popular tourist destinations. The coastline is dominated by the rocky outcrop of Punta Catedral which juts out into the sea creating endless photo opportunities.

The park is home to three beaches (with a fourth just outside the entrance), the most picturesque of which is Playa Manuel Antonio, also called Playa Tres. It's the safest beach in the area for swimming and offers good snorkelling too. 

Head to the rocks at the end of the beach to see an array of marine life. Being one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, this spot is popular with locals come the weekend, so visit during the week if you can, and pre-book the best Manuel Antonio National Park tours.

Rough Guides tip: ahead of your trip, check out our tips for travelling to Costa Rica, and read first-hand advice from our content manager on how to plan a trip to Costa Rica.

How to get to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park is located a short drive south of the city of Quepos. Buses depart for the park daily from Quepos and San José.  There’s also paid car parking on the road to the park if you’re coming by car.

For more transport context, read up on getting around Costa Rica.

When to visit Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

The best time to visit Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio  is during the dry season, which runs from December to April.

And the reasons? This period offers sunny, dry weather — perfect for beach time, hiking, and spotting iconic Costa Rica wildlife.

Just note this is the busiest season, with the highest prices and most visitors, especially around Christmas, New Year, and Easter. 

So, if you want to avoid the biggest crowds, consider the shoulder months (May and November), when the weather is still relatively dry, but the park is quieter, and prices could well be lower.

Also note that the rainy season (May–November) can limit activities, especially from September to October.

Want more weather context? Read up on when to go to Costa Rica.

2. Islas Tortuga, Nicoya Peninsula

Uninhabited and (as yet) unspoiled, Islas Tortuga is the epitome of an island hideaway. Made up of Isla Tolinga and Isla Alcatraz, the islands are densely forested with picture-perfect golden sand beaches and bright turquoise water. This is easily one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and will bring a smile to the face of even the most jaded traveller.

Isla Tolinga’s two enchanting beaches are ideal for swimming, snorkelling or simply soaking up the atmosphere. There’s no accommodation on the island so visitors come for the day by boat. 

During the week the islands are relatively peaceful, but at weekends boatloads of visitors arrive, spoiling the tranquillity somewhat. Plan to avoid a weekend visit if you can.

How to get to Islas Tortuga

Islas Tortuga are located off the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, near Paquera. 

Trips depart twice a day from Paquera’s Playa Curú. 

Boat trips also make the journey from further afield, including from the country’s capital San José and Jacó or Quepos on the central Pacific coast.

When to visit Islas Tortuga

The best time to visit Islas Tortuga is during the dry season.

At this time of year, you’ll enjoy calm, clear seas, which are ideal for boat trips, snorkeling swimming and sunbathing

Seeking a short but fulfilling holiday in Costa Rica? Explore our 7-day itinerary in Costa Rica.

3. Punta Uva – one of the best beaches in Costa Rica on the Caribbean Coast

The name Punta Uva translates to grape point. If you could get a bird’s eye view of the landscape (or hop onboard a drone) you’d see the name was very apt. Punta Uva is easily one of the best beaches in Costa Rica.

To the west of the point, this beach is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you’ll find a coral reef ideal for snorkelling within swimming distance of the shore.

Playa Grande, to the east, has the classic Caribbean-style palm trees, but the water here is rougher and less suitable for swimming. If you’re lucky you might spot a rare green macaw while you’re here. The nearby Ara Project in Manzanillo has been breeding and releasing the endangered birds since 2011.

How to get to Punta Uva 

Punta Uva is located in Limón Province, just south of Playa Chiquita off Highway-256, before the town of Manzanillo. 

The bus between Puerto Limón and Manzanilla stops along the route.

When to visit Punta Uva

The best time to visit Punta Uva is a little different from Costa Rica’s Pacific coast because the Caribbean has its own weather patterns.

As a general point, Punta Uva and the southern Caribbean often stays lush and less crowded compared with more-visited famous Pacific beach towns, even in peak season.

On balance, the best time to visit is between February and April, and September to October, which are dry and sunny periods. 

In addition, while wildlife viewing (especially sloths and howler monkeys) is excellent year-round, but drier months make hiking and exploring easier.

Conversely, avoid July–August and November–January, when rains are more frequent.

4. Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas

Costa Rica boasts multiple beaches called Playa Hermosa (beautiful beach) so it always pays to make sure you’re headed to the right one! 

This particular Hermosa is a six-mile (10 km) stretch of dark grey sand just south of the town of Jaco. It is one of the best surf beaches in Costa Rica -even in all of Central America – especially during the rainy season (May to August).

Steep sandbars out to sea create consistent waves that break close to shore, offering a challenge to surfers of all levels. 

There are strong rip tides here so it’s not a good place to swim. It's also not the best place for surf lessons unless you’re confident in your skills already. For those with some experience, however, you’re practically guaranteed a memorable day on the waves.

How to get to Playa Hermosa

One of the best day trips from San José, buses also make the journey from Jacó to Quepos and back daily, stopping at Playa Hermosa along the way.  

Alternatively, taxis can take you there from Jacó, or you can drive and park. 

When to visit Playa Hermosa

The best time to visit for Play Hermosa to surf is actually during the April to November rainy season, 

This period brings consistent, powerful Pacific swells, with the biggest and best waves from May to September attracting serious surfers from around the world.

If you’re a beginner, the December to March dry season offers smaller, cleaner waves. As a bonus, you’ll get sunny skies, less rain, and a livelier beach town vibe.

Want to adventure beyond the best beaches? Read our guide to the best hikes in Costa Rica.

5. Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional

The coffee-coloured beach at Ostional is one of the most important nesting sites in Costa Rica for the olive ridley sea turtle. 

Female olive ridley turtles return en-masse in September and October to the place they were born to lay eggs, in a phenomenon known as arrabida, or arrival. 

Each arrabida can last 12 hours, as thousands upon thousands of turtles climb out of the waves to dry land to lay their eggs.

As many as 11 million eggs are laid during this time. For many, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is a top reason to travel. If that's you, you’ll be wowed by the annual spectacle. 

A word of warning — we don't recommend swimming at Ostional, especially during nesting season. The presence of so many turtles can draw sharks to the area.

How to get to Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional

Ostional is located in Guanacaste Province, 15 minutes by car from the village of Nosara. 

Note that there’s no organised taxi service or regular public transport in the area.

When to visit Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional

July to December is the prime time to visit to see the arrival of thousands of olive ridley sea turtles coming ashore to nest, with the largest arribadas typically happening between August and November, peaking just before and after the full moon.

6. Playa Conchal, Guanacaste

Composed of bottomless drifts of pink, orange, mauve, and sunset-coloured seashells, Playa Conchal – once a deserted slice of beach – lies just south of Flamingo. 

The shells, which give this beach its namesake, naturally help to keep the water crystal clear – making for a fantastic place to snorkel or even deep sea scuba dive. Here you can also enjoy fantastic local seafood restaurants that are located practically on the beach.

Planning to base yourself in this area? Read up on the best beaches in Guanacaste, and the best Guanacaste tours.

How to get to Playa Conchal

By car, park in the nearby Brasilito and reach the public beach by walking south for a kilometre (0.6 miles) along the shore.

When to visit Playa Conchal

Located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the best time to visit Playa Conchal is during this area’s the dry season, from December to April.

The shoulder months (May–August) can also be a good time, with fewer tourists and lower prices, though afternoon rain showers are to be expect.

The rainiest period (September–October) is not recommended for beach vacations, as heavy rains can affect access and water clarity.

7. Bahía Ballena (Whale Bay)

Bahía Ballena (Whale Bay) is a gateway to Marino Ballena National Park, which happens to be one of the best national parks in Costa Rica

It's famous for its whale tail-shaped beach, excellent whale watching, and shelters two beaches: Playa Pochote and Playa Tambor.

You can also enjoy a wide choice of cheap cabinas and sodas (neighbourhood restaurants) nearby the main entry point of the park.

How to get to Bahía Ballena 

From Costa Rica’s capital, San José, drive south on the Costanera Sur (Route 34) toward Uvita, the main town in Bahía Ballena. This takes 3.5-4 hours.

Buses also travel from San José’s Tracopa terminal to Uvita (5–6 hours). Once in Uvita, it’s a short walk or taxi ride to Bahía Ballena and the park entrance.

You could also fly from San José to Quepos (about 20 minutes), then drive or take a shuttle south to Uvita (about 1.5–2 hours by car).

Sound too much like hard work? Discover the best beaches to visit around San Jose.

When to visit Bahía Ballena 

Visit in December through April to spot humpback whales, with the annual Whale and Dolphin Festival in September (think whale-watching, concerts, activities for families, and sports competitions) being a especially popular time to head here, especially if you're visiting Costa Rica with kids.

For more tips, dive into our guide to whale-watching in Uvita.

Decided to take a trip to Costa Rica? While planning your trip, take inspiration from best things to do in Costa Rica, and our suggested Costa Rica itineraries — there's a lot more to the country than its beautuful beaches!

Or, if you're not keen on planning, contact our local Costa Rica travel experts, who can take care of planning your perfect trip.