Beach and national park · Caribbean
Cahuita
A national park right on the beach, with one of the largest coral reefs in Costa Rica for snorkelling, and coconut rice and beans in the village.
Caribbean Beaches in Costa Rica
Five beaches on the southern Caribbean coast, on one map. Cahuita and Manzanillo for the reef, Puerto Viejo for the village, Punta Uva and Cocles for a quiet day on the sand.
The short answer
Which side of Costa Rica, and which beach?
Costa Rica has two coasts: the Pacific on the west and the Caribbean on the east. The Caribbean side feels different, with Afro-Caribbean food and culture, small boutique hotels rather than big resorts, and white sand beaches next to black ones. The beaches worth the trip are in the south, near the Panama border, around the village of Puerto Viejo, and most of our clients give it 4 nights. Cahuita's reef is to the north, Punta Uva and Manzanillo to the south. September and October are the best months here, and the drive from San José crosses Braulio Carrillo National Park.
The map
Caribbean beaches map
The five beaches, numbered from where we book the most hotels to the fewest.
Five beaches on the Caribbean side
Each one links to our full guide: what it is like, what to do and where to stay.
Village · Caribbean
Puerto Viejo
The main village of the southern Caribbean, where Afro-Caribbean, Bribri and Costa Rican cultures meet, and sloths at the Jaguar Rescue Center. Most of our clients stay 4 nights.
Beach · Caribbean
Playa Cocles
A long surf beach just south of Puerto Viejo, with waves for beginners and experienced surfers, and a quiet day away from the crowds.
Wildlife refuge · Caribbean
Gandoca-Manzanillo
Rainforest, mangroves and a living coral reef off a white sand beach near the Panama border. Sea turtles nest here from March to May.
Beach · Caribbean
Punta Uva
White sand, palms and clear water, kept unspoiled by a rule that every building stays 50 metres back from high tide.
Good to know
Caribbean questions we answer every week
What are the best beaches on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?
Cahuita for snorkelling on the reef, Punta Uva for white sand and clear water, Playa Cocles for surf, and Gandoca-Manzanillo for wildlife. All of them are on the southern Caribbean coast, around Puerto Viejo.
Is Costa Rica in the Caribbean?
Costa Rica is in Central America, with a Caribbean coast on the east and the Pacific on the west. The Caribbean beaches are in Limón province, between the city of Limón and the Panama border.
When is the best time to visit the Caribbean side?
September and October are the best months on the southern Caribbean coast. Sea turtles nest at Gandoca-Manzanillo from March to May.
Are there all-inclusive resorts on the Caribbean coast?
The Caribbean side is mostly small boutique hotels, and at Punta Uva every building has to stay 50 metres back from high tide. For an all-inclusive resort, Guanacaste on the Pacific is the place.
Where can I snorkel on the Caribbean side?
In Cahuita National Park, on one of the largest coral reefs in Costa Rica, and on the living reef at Gandoca-Manzanillo, where you might see parrot fish and angel fish.
How do I get to the Caribbean side?
Fly into San José (SJO). Our private driver meets you at arrivals and takes you over the mountains, through Braulio Carrillo National Park, to the coast: about 4.5 to 5 hours to Puerto Viejo. From Tortuguero it is a boat and shuttle to Guápiles, then about 3 hours.
Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here
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