With pristine, secluded hideaways and palm-fringed resort strands of sand, beaches are one of the top reasons to go to Costa Rica, but do you know which ones to visit? Don't worry—we're here to help. From pulverized volcanic rock and steady waves to soft white sand and idyllic settings, all of the beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula’s coast have their own distinct merits. Elsewhere, Playa Tamarindo has a restaurant so close to the ocean the surf spray salts your food; Hermosa and Sámara are family-friendly spots with swimmable waters; and playas Langosta and Pelada are made for contemplative walks. Keep reading to discover 20 beautiful beaches in Costa Rica—and decide which ones are right for you.
Some quick things to note: Tamarindo, Nosara, and Sámara are good for beginning surfers. Playas Grande, Avellanas, and Negra are best left to those with experience; other surfing waters are somewhere in between. Meanwhile, Tamarindo, Nosara, Sámara, and Tambor are beaches with air service to San José. Wherever you decide to go, keep in mind that riptides are seriously dangerous and hardly any Costa Rican beaches have lifeguards; get information from your hotel about where to swim safely before you hit the beach.
Papagayo Peninsula
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Popular luxury resorts line the beaches of the Papagayo Peninsula.
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Playa Hermosa
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Playa Hermosa is one of the few Costa Rican beaches with calm, crystal-clear waters.
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Playas del Coco
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Diving and fishing are the name of the game at Playas del Coco and its lively beach town.
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Playa Ocotal
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Playa Ocotal is a quiet black-sand beach with great views, diving, and good snorkeling.
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Playa Pan de Azúcar
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Playa Pan de Azúcar is practically deserted once you get there.
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Playa Potrero
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Playa Potrero is the jumping-off point for diving trips to the Catalina Islands.
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Playa Flamingo
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Busy white-sand Playa Flamingo is ideal for swimming and sunning.
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Playa Conchal
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Shells sprinkle the sand at chilled-out Playa Conchal, near a small fishing village.
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Tamarindo
Guanacaste Pacific Coast
Lively Tamarindo is a hyped-up surfing and water-sports beach with wild nightlife.
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Playa Langosta
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Playa Langosta is great for walks up its estuary and watching dramatic sunsets.
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Playa Avellanas
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Playa Avellanas is a perfect spot to relax with a cold drink between surf sessions.
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Playa Negra
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Playa Negra has some of Costa Rica’s best surfing waves.
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Playa Junquillal
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Peaceful and difficult to reach, Playa Junquillal is all about relaxation.
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Playa Pelada
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Hemmed in by rocks, Playa Pelada is staked out by territorial Tico surfers.
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Playa Guiones
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Long, clean Playa Guiones is backed by dense jungle.
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Samara
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Sámara’s gentle waters make it perfect for kayakers, swimmers, and novice surfers.
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Playa Carrillo
Guanacaste and Northern Nicoya Peninsula
Perhaps the most beautiful beach in the country, Playa Carrillo fronts an idyllic half-moon bay.
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Playa Tambor
Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Crescent-shaped, shallow Playa Tambor is flanked by an all-inclusive resort and a fishing village.
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Malpaís
Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Some of the largest surfing waves in Costa Rica are at Malpaís.
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Montezuma
Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Montezuma’s off-beat town is as much a draw as its bayside beach.
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