Pacific coast · Central Pacific
Central Pacific beaches
Manuel Antonio, where rainforest runs down to white sand and monkeys sit in the trees above it, plus the surf beaches of Dominical and Hermosa.
About 3 hours from San JoséRead the guide
Beaches in Costa Rica
Two coasts on one map. Guanacaste and Papagayo from Liberia airport, Manuel Antonio and the south from San José, and the Caribbean on the other side of the mountains.
The short answer
Where are the best beaches in Costa Rica?
It starts with the airport. Fly into Liberia and the Guanacaste beaches are an hour or two away, in the province with the least rain in the country: calm bays at Papagayo, Conchal's beach of crushed shells, and Tamarindo for a first surf lesson. Fly into San José and Manuel Antonio is about three hours away. It is the single beach our clients choose most, because the rainforest of the national park runs right down to the sand and the monkeys come with it. The Caribbean coast, around Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, is a different trip altogether, with smaller hotels and a coral reef. Our private drivers take you to all of them.
The map
Costa Rica beaches map
The six beach areas, numbered from the ones our clients visit most, and our list of the best beaches.
The beach areas of Costa Rica
Each one links to our guide to that coast: its beaches, how to get there and where to stay.
Pacific coast · Guanacaste
Guanacaste beaches
The province with the least rain in Costa Rica: Tamarindo for beginner surf, Conchal's shell beach for snorkelling, and 13 more.
1 to 2 hours from LiberiaRead the guide
Pacific coast · Guanacaste
Gulf of Papagayo
Sheltered bays and all-inclusive resorts close to Liberia airport. Playa Panamá's water is calm enough to feel like a lake.
About 1 hour from LiberiaRead the guide
Pacific coast · Osa Peninsula
Southern Pacific beaches
Drake Bay, the way into Corcovado National Park and Caño Island, and Uvita, where the beach is shaped like a whale's tail.
Caribbean coast · Limón
Caribbean beaches
A different feel from the Pacific: small boutique hotels, white sand next to black, and the coral reef of Cahuita National Park.
Pacific coast · Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula beaches
Nosara for yoga, Santa Teresa and Mal País for surf, on a peninsula named one of the world's Blue Zones.
Our list · both coasts
The best beaches in Costa Rica
Our list across both coasts: white, pink and black sand, beaches for swimming, surfing and snorkelling.
Good to know
Beach questions we answer every week
What part of Costa Rica has the best beaches?
For sun and calm water, Guanacaste on the north Pacific: it has the least rain in the country and its beaches are an hour or two from Liberia airport. For rainforest and beach together, Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific. For a quieter, different culture, the Caribbean around Puerto Viejo and Cahuita.
Which beaches in Costa Rica are best for swimming?
The bays of the Gulf of Papagayo are sheltered, and Playa Panamá is calm enough to feel like a lake. Playa Conchal's water stays clear enough to snorkel straight off the beach. On the Caribbean side, Punta Uva and Manzanillo have quiet water for swimming and snorkelling.
Which airport is closest to the beaches?
Liberia (LIR) for Guanacaste and Papagayo, about an hour from the Papagayo and Conchal beaches. San José (SJO) for Manuel Antonio, about three hours away, and for the Caribbean and the south. Your Specialist plans the trip around the airport that fits your flights.
When is the best time for a beach trip to Costa Rica?
The dry season, roughly December to April in Manuel Antonio and January to May in Guanacaste. Guanacaste is the driest region, so its beaches work all year. May to November is the green season, with more rain and fewer people.
Where can I see sea turtles?
Leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande, across the estuary from Tamarindo, in Las Baulas National Park. At Ostional, on the Nicoya Peninsula, thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest in the rainy season. Ask your Specialist about the season for your dates.
Do I need a car to get to the beaches?
No. Our clients travel with a private driver who leaves on their schedule and stops whenever they want, so nobody has to drive the coast roads.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.
Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística