Beaches and national park · Central Pacific
Manuel Antonio
Rainforest down to white sand, with monkeys and sloths in the trees above five beaches. About 3 hours from San José; most of our clients stay 3 nights.
Central Pacific Beaches near San José
San José is in the mountains, so the nearest beach is a drive away. These are the closest, from Herradura to Dominical, on one map.
The short answer
Is there a beach near San José?
San José sits in the Central Valley, surrounded by mountains, so it has no beach of its own. The closest are on the Central Pacific coast: Herradura, Playa Hermosa and Punta Leona are 1.5 to 2 hours away by private transfer, with a stop on the way to see the crocodiles from the Tárcoles River bridge. Manuel Antonio, about 3 hours from San José, is where we book the most hotels by far, for the national park and the monkeys right above the sand. Further south, Dominical is the surf town. Our drivers meet you at the airport, so nobody has to drive.
The map
Central Pacific beach map
Eight beaches, numbered from where we book the most hotels to the fewest.
Eight Central Pacific beaches
Each one links to our full guide: what it is like, what to do and where to stay.
Beach town · Central Pacific
Jacó
One of the most developed beach towns in Costa Rica, with a long surf beach, restaurants and shops, and the scarlet macaws of Carara National Park close by.
Beach · Central Pacific
Dominical
A friendly surf town on a 4 km beach, 28 miles south of Quepos, with the Nauyaca Waterfalls close by. Most of our clients stay 3 nights.
Beach · Central Pacific
Playa Herradura
Home of Los Sueños and its marina, with black sand and calmer water for swimming than the surf beaches next door.
Beach · Central Pacific
Playa Hermosa
One of the best surf breaks on this coast. Not the Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste: Costa Rica has four beaches with that name.
Beach · Manuel Antonio
Playa Biesanz
Manuel Antonio's quiet cove: a ten-minute jungle trail with monkeys and sloths, and calm water at mid tide.
Beach and reserve · Central Pacific
Punta Leona
Nearly 800 acres of protected forest where the dry north meets the southern rainforest, with a white sand beach of its own.
Beach · Central Pacific
Playa Esterillos
Miles of brown sand lined with palm and almond trees, with strong currents and waves for experienced surfers, and hardly a crowd.
Good to know
Central Pacific questions we answer every week
Does San José, Costa Rica have a beach?
No. San José is in the Central Valley, surrounded by mountains. The closest beaches are on the Central Pacific coast, 1.5 to 2 hours away by private transfer.
What is the closest beach to San José?
Herradura, Playa Hermosa and Punta Leona, 1.5 to 2 hours by private transfer. Manuel Antonio is about 3 hours away, and its national park is worth the extra hour.
Can you swim at the Central Pacific beaches?
Yes, if you pick the beach. Playa Biesanz is a sheltered cove, calmest at mid tide, and Herradura has calmer water. Esterillos has strong currents and is better for surfing.
Which Central Pacific beach is best?
Manuel Antonio, where we book the most hotels: rainforest, five beaches and monkeys in the same morning, and 3 nights is what they usually choose. For surf, Dominical or Playa Hermosa.
Where can I see wildlife on the Central Pacific?
In Manuel Antonio National Park, where 184 species of birds have been recorded, and on the trail down to Playa Biesanz. On the way from San José, Carara National Park is where to see scarlet macaws.
Do I need a car?
No. Our clients travel with a private driver who leaves on their schedule and stops whenever they want, so nobody has to drive.
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