Can you go to Costa Rica NOT to explore but just for the beach? Does CR have beautiful beaches? Anything to compare with Caribbean beach beauty?

I ask because we only have five nights there for our honeymoon in August, and we are considering going there instead of the Caribbean because of hurricane fears. But I know nothing about Costa Rica other than the fact that its main attractions are typically Arenal and the rain forest, and I guess I'm wondering if anyone ever goes NOT to do those things. It's not that I wouldn't like to see them--I would. But given our short time, my fiance greatly prefers just relaxing days on the beach and around the ocean, and is concerned about going to CR not because she doesn't want to explore the country someday, but that she doesn't want to explore it now and therefore wonders if it's just not the place to go. Is she right, or are there beautiful, swimmable beaches there too, with some nicer hotels.

You are correct in that Costa Rica is not usually the place one would choose to go if beautiful beaches were at the top of the list. That said, there are some lovely beaches. While they don't compare with the white sand and turquoise waters of many Caribbean destinations, there are a few beaches that stand out quite nicely!

My favorites:

Manuel Antonio beaches (hotels are built up in the hills overlooking the beach)

Southern Caribbean beaches (around Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo and Cahuita Parque Nacional) Partially black sand. . .

MalPais (Florblanca an exquisite hotel)

Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal

There is one place that comes to mind that might be just what you are looking for. We haven't been there, but Punta Islita (on the Pacific side) gets great reviews and sounds like the perfect honeymoon spot. It is north of MalPais. Very isolated, you can get there by driving or private driver OR even better, a domestic flight out of San Jose upon arrival. Hope this helps. I'm sure that others, more knowledgeable than I, will offer some suggestions as well. Good luck! The people of Costa Rica more than make up for whatever it might be lacking--and it lacks very little!

In CR the beaches will not be the bright white sand. Instead you will have beautiful jungles as a backdrop to almost entirely deserted beaches, on the Pacific side you will have the pounding surf against the rocks to lull you to sleep at night, some areas with tidepools to swim or snorkle and the most spectacular sunsets.

We much enjoy the beaches in CR, walking on near deserted beaches, lazing around in hammocks under the trees, and the little funky beach towns nearby.

Another suggestion, Someone recently reported on Cala Luna, which sounds like a great location for a honeymoon! Although I am through honeymooning, I added it to my list. www.calaluna.com

We much enjoyed the El Sano beach bungalows at Montezuma. www.elbanano.com

I also like Manuel Antonio beaches (just got back Sunday!), though they're not Caribbean white-sand beaches. In Manuel Antonio, there's a national park with one beach right outside and three inside the park. There's the forest to hike around in (but not strenuous hiking) and see wildlife, and the beaches are right there. So if I were you, I'd consider doing that, so you can do a little exploring but also lounge around on the beach as much as you want.

Sand on the Pacific side is volcanic, therefore it is very dark. There are lot more waves on the Pacific.
Beaches on the Caribbean side are most likely to the other islands in the Caribbean sea, sand could be a little different but nice crystal waters with hardly any waves.

Going to Costa Rica without exploring the rain forests or the country side would be like visiting Rome without visiting the Coliseum. Maybe you should check into some of the islands in the Caribbean that are more South & out of the "hurricane belt" (ie Aruba, Bonaire, or Curacao) In my opinion, Costa Rica has too much to offer than to just sit on the beach for 5 days.

Depends on what your definition of beauty is.

If you have traveled alot, like I have, perhaps the typical tropical vacation is wearing thin. I've been to many places where you get the umbrella drinks, swim up bar and Marty McDougle is talking your head off while you just want to be left alone.

I've been to the towers and domes. Done the tours. While interesting enough... personally, I enjoy checking in to a place that lets me breathe. Where there isn't a line-up. Where the same trinkets for sale aren't constantly shoved in my face, or where they saturate me with information that doesn't give me time to make my own analysis of the world around me.

I agree Costa Rica has many unique places to see. You can always return to explore. But if you have limited time and want the beach, it has that too.

I think the pacific beaches of Costa Rica are some of the most beautiful in the world. Never boring. Mal Pais and Santa Teresa have such a variety...some are great for surfing, some have terrific tide pools to wade around in during low tide, some are post card quality with golden sand, palm fringed jungle, and not another person in view.

Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. I see nothing but beauty in the beaches of Costa Rica and recommend the experience to anyone ready to open up their hearts and minds to something not ordinary but extraordinary!

We just returned from Tamarindo on the Northern Pacific side and the beach is awesome, not dark or black. There is a beach to the north that is all sea shells but they say soft enough to walk on (Conchal - we snorkeled close to that beach (great reef and beautiful fish). Waves at Tamarindo not sooo large but at Hotel Capitan Suizo, you are just steps away from the beach and you can hear the waves crash from the bungalows. Larger waves to the south and north of Tamarindo Beach. You will have soooo much fun. We took our adult kids but the next time, it will be just us watching the sunset (and hopefully from Capitan Suizo's beach front chairs). It is so romantic.