7 Best Sights in Tortuguero and the Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica

The area’s most beautiful beach is also one of the more reliable places to swim, the crescent-shaped inlet taking the edge off the strongest currents (still use the same precautions as you would at any other beach in the area). On the southern end of the beach stands a tall outcrop, navigable by trails, and a short climb displays sweeping coastal views in both directions. Drop down to the other side and you are on Punta Uva Arrecife, an extension of the beach that looks just as spectacular. At one time this beach was somewhat of a secret, but it has since been discovered. High-season weekends are crowded with people, the upside being that the lot of beachfront restaurants and vendors can sustain you during an extended beach day. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunrise; surfing; walking.

The farther you venture south towards Manzanillo, the more beautiful and raw the beaches become. Beyond Playa Cocles, the coastline is less developed and the jungle has room to flourish, meaning more sloths cuddled in their guarumo trees and toucans perched in the treetops. The beige sand and tranquil shoreline of Playa Chiquita is more populated the closer you are to the parking areas, but only a short walk away are plenty of quiet and shady places to relax and admire the all-encompassing raw nature. The undertow is strong out here. Swim at your own risk, preferably in company, and don’t venture out too far. Amenities: none. Best for: sunrise; surfing; walking.

Ensconced within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, this beach comes close to being picture-perfect with the lush green forest—and its resident howler monkeys—bordering the edge of the sand. The in-town stretches put you close to food and drink. This beach has a more local feel than the others, the beachside tables are often occupied by large families having barbecues. The sunken ship tilting in the sand lends a striking quality to this already magnificent coastline. As always, avoid walking on the beach alone and be careful about going into the water, where the undertow can be strong. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; surfing; walking.

Not to be confused with Cahuita’s beach of the same name, Puerto Viejo’s black-sand Playa Negra lies close to town but is relatively undeveloped; you’ll likely have this stretch of sand north of town to yourself. More hotels are popping up along this shoreline, but the beach has retained its undisturbed quality. While this sounds idyllic, remember that there's always safety in numbers on beaches in this area. Be careful about going into the water; the undertow can be strong. Amenities: none. Best for: sunrise; surfing; walking.

Cahuita's Playa Negra—it's not the same as the beach of the same name in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca—fronts a narrow road heading north out of the town center. This beach sees the most action—surfers congregate here at the town’s main break while high-energy dancehall tracks play full-tilt out of the few eateries, and on the weekends, the sand and surf is lively and buzzing with people. Don't linger here in the evenings if there are no other people around. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunrise; surfing; walking.

The clutter of the in-town beach epitomizes Puerto Viejo. Folks gather here to swim or float in the shallow areas where the water is calm, beachfront bar patrons overflow onto the sand, and fishing boats bob in rocky inlets or standby onshore. The strong undertow makes swimming risky farther out, but surfers delight in the consistently good waves. The upside is that you’re just a few steps from the in-town restaurants. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: partiers; sunrise; surfing; walking.

The crashing waves and misty air (it rains a lot in Tortuguero) give you the unsettling feeling that you're standing at the edge of the world. Swimming and surfing are simply not possible here—sharks are present along this stretch of coast, for one thing—but by night, depending on the season, this beach comes alive with the age-old ritual of Tortuguero's four species of sea turtles laying and burying their eggs. They then hatch and the baby turtles scurry out to sea, a spectacle that's viewable only in the company of a licensed guide. Sunbathing? People-watching? Who needs those when this is the real show? Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.