About Costa Rica

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of Costa Rica attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

Costa Rica Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Good for Relax

Playa Pelada

Nosara 3.6 km
Very good
8.4
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand & rocks • Crowded in season • Large low tide
3.7 Amenities index
Senior friendly

El Jobo beach

Playa Rajada 0.7 km
Very good
8.3
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise water • Crowded in season
7.1 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Playa Blanca

Pochotes 0.5 km
Very good
8.2
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Easy access • Bright sand & rocks • Large low tide • Sand & Rocks bottom
1 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Santa Teresa Beach

Santa Teresa 0.5 km
Very good
8.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Light sand & pebble • Crowded in season • Large low tide
4.2 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Playa Garza

Las Delicias 3.7 km
Very good
8.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Bright sand • Large low tide
2.7 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Playa Guiones

Las Delicias 5.4 km
Very good
8.2
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand & rocks • Crowded in season • Large low tide
2.7 Amenities index

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 233 beaches in the country.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in Costa Rica.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of Costa Rica, they are as follows:

  • The country's beaches are mainly wide, moderate length and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is gentle, which is very good for kids. There are 131 such beaches.
  • An important clarification, 69 beaches in the country have a long intertidal zone, which means that during low tide hours you may have to travel a considerable distance. This is also something to consider if you don't want to suddenly be in the water at high tide.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in Costa Rica is less than 500 meters. 203 beaches are relatively easy to access, 14 beaches are difficult to access, which in most cases means that you have to walk a quite long distance, and 16 beaches are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of Costa Rica however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on Costa Rica's beaches

Playa Avellana
10 Carlos Martinez

The beach is pristine and offers a peaceful escape from the busy atmosphere of Tamarindo. Additionally, there are over five surf breaks suitable for surfers of all skill levels.

Copal beach
10 Stevie P

This beach is absolutely stunning and filled with an abundance of seashells! We are considering renaming it to "Seashells Paradise" beach because of how many beautiful and intact shells you can find here. My children absolutely adore this beach and love searching for the most exquisite shells they can find. Additionally, if you're looking for other activities, why not try world-class kitesurfing? This place is absolutely perfect for kitesurfing! There are so many amazing things to do here that it's hard to list them all without experiencing it for yourself. If you're interested in buying or renting property, or even finding an Airbnb, reach out to Sarah at ReMax Paradise Cove for more information about the beaches and the area. Oh, and I'll be posting more pictures because we even saw wild horses playing on and in the beach. It truly is a paradise! If you want to learn more about this area, you can visit explorelacruz-cr on Instagram or Facebook. Follow me and I'll follow you back.

Playa Los Banos
8 Lorena Valdez

The beach offers an impressive view of the stunning Caribbean landscape, with boats coming and going at various times. You can also enjoy the soothing motion of the waves. I would give it four stars, except for the occasional unpleasant smell that detracts from its uniqueness.

El Jobo beach
10 ExtraordinaryOne

The water at the beach is quite calm, although it tends to be colder than other beaches in Costa Rica because of the trade winds. However, the beach itself is very clean. The snorkeling experience is average. You can easily drive directly to the beach. There are plenty of jet skiers and ATVs in the vicinity. It's advisable to bring your own packed lunch, snacks, and drinks as there are no nearby options. What I loved about this place is that it isn't crowded with tourists or people trying to sell you things. You can truly relax and enjoy a swim.

Playa Blanca
4 Natalia Radcliffe

Swimming is not recommended, particularly during low tide due to the rocky terrain in the water. Snorkeling is possible, however. It's pleasant that there are trees to provide shade, but be cautious of ants. The steep beach was not to my liking.

Playa Guiones
8 Miguel Manuela

The ocean at this beach is lovely, with crystal clear water perfect for swimming and relaxing. While it may not be the ideal spot for children or those seeking shade, the few huts along the beach provide a cozy respite from the sun. It's true that the surrounding area can be dusty, but the fresh sea breeze more than makes up for it. While it may not be considered a blue zone, the air is still invigorating and refreshing. Although some may feel that the area is overpriced, there's no denying that it's a popular destination for a reason. As a seasoned traveler, I can attest that there are certainly other places in the world that are equally beautiful and healthy, but they may come with a higher price tag. However, the best part is that these hidden gems are just a short distance away, waiting to be discovered. Overall, my experience at this beach was enjoyable and memorable, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful and rejuven

Please note that lifeguards supervise 15 beaches in the country, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

Do you know how many beaches there are in Costa Rica? In total there are 233 beaches and the most popular is Punta Uva II beach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in Costa Rica?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in Costa Rica, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 233 beaches in total, of which about 50 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in Costa Rica:

View all beaches in Costa Rica and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in Costa Rica?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in Costa Rica, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in Costa Rica and create your selection by features.

What are all easy accessible beaches in Costa Rica?

Most of the beaches located in Costa Rica are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in Costa Rica by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in Costa Rica:

View all beaches in Costa Rica and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in Costa Rica?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

Other popular categories

View all beaches in Costa Rica and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in Costa Rica?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in Costa Rica by occupancy.

Popular categories:

View all beaches in Costa Rica and select by features

Which beaches in Costa Rica are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in Costa Rica?

Use filter in search results to select a beach according to your preference for amenities.

Popular beach infrastructure categories:

See also:

View all beaches in Costa Rica and select by specific amenities

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in Costa Rica?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in Costa Rica and select by activity