I'm confused: Are there 2 Playa Hermosa's in CR?
 

Can someone help me here: Are there 2 Playa Hermosa's in CR?

I am a 20-something gal looking to spend a few days learning to surf. I found one place called Vista Guapa near Jaco/Playa Hermosa that sounds great. My the descriptions I have read of Jaco sound awful. I am having a hard time finding info on the Playa Hermosa near Jaco, as I gather the better known Playa Hermosa near Tamarindo is better known.

So, can someone tell me what the Hermosa near Jaco is like? Also, could someone suggest another place to learn to surf (neither too grungy nor too expensive) that would be OK for a solo female traveler? I love the descriptions of Mal Pais but haven't found anyplace there I think would work for what I am looking for.

THANKS for any and all feedback

There are at least 3 Playa Hermosas that I know of...The ones you mentioned near Jaco and Tamarindo and one near Mal Pais. My favorite area is Mal Pais(as seen in my posts). What is it that you're looking for? They do have an all female surf camp at Sunset Reef. I don't know the deatails but maybe someone else on the board knows more or you could look up Sunset Reef Hotel and see what they have.

I stayed 5 nights in Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. The plus side is that the beach is nice and the location is convienent for tours to Santa Rosa Park, Tecorio Volcano, and Palo Verde. Plus it is close to Coco which is a town with banks, restaurants, laundry, and supermarket.

The negative side is that there is a huge amount of construction when I was there.

Enjoy your trip.

I would also recommend the Santa Teresa/Malpais area.

My 22 year old step daughter and a friend spent a week in Santa Teresa in Feb, loved it.

Here is a website that might be useful.

www.nicoyapeninsula.com

The Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco is fine, nothing like Jaco, its a small settlement there just for the surf. There are several lodging choices, a few restaurants, small stores and surf shops. The surf set-up is the main attraction: a reef/point break that is generally surfable year round. Its the site of contests frequently because of its consistency.

Playa Hermosa (the north one) on the Nicoya peninsula is a really nice area but its a dive place; there is no surfing at all except for witches rock which isnt for beginners. I would strongly suggest Playa Tamarindo for your needs; great for solo travellers, easy surf, lots of surf schools and easy to get to. I am biased because I love the Nicoya peninsula and I dont like Jaco, etc, its bunk.