Each of Costa Rica’s beaches has its own vibe — keep reading to find out which one fits your dream vacation. You can find black sand, white sand, warm water for swimming, and big waves for surfing. Along Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coastlines you can find party towns as well as calm, soft-sand escapes. Pick your beach based on your favorite beach activities, and let us know how you like to spend your time in the sun and sand.
PLAN YOUR BEACH VACATION IN COSTA RICA
Different beaches in Costa Rica have distinctly different vibes. We have a good selection of beach hotels for every budget, as well as spacious, luxurious beach villas. Our local travel experts can help you design your trip, and manage your lodging, transportation, and activity bookings at not extra cost.
Browse some of our favorite itineraries
Get excited and browse our selection of our favorite hand made tours from around the world. From romantic honeymoons to family-fun; these are completely flexible and arranged to your needs.
The Most Incredible Vacation Ever
We have already been recommending anywhere! Very happy with our trip and look forward to our next adventure. Katia and her team were very helpful and great to work with!!
Costa Rica
Relaxing Days by the Beach
Trip planning was great. Thank you Jessica!
Costa Rica
A Mother & Son Coast to Coast Road Trip
One suggestion would be to let people know the amount of time to drive from hotel to hotel. If I would have known, I would have stayed longer in fewer hotels.
Costa Rica
The Ultimate Nature and Beach Honeymoon
Costa Rica is a beautiful country and it's clear the people take pride in the sustainability efforts put forward by the local government.
Costa Rica
Beachfront hotels in Costa Rica
Stay steps from the sand in Tamarindo, Jacó, Manuel Antonio or on the Osa Peninsula. See all Costa Rica beachfront hotels.
Capitan Suizo Hotel
Capitan Suizo Hotel is situated on the beachfront boulevard of Tamarindo, a small but lively town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The property occupies a modest stretch of sand‑lined road just a short walk from the town’s main commercial area, giving guests easy access to both the ocean and the conveniences of downtown Tamarindo.
Copa de Arbol
The Copa De Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort is nestled amongst 70 acres (28 ha) of pristine rainforest reserve along the South Pacific coastline. Between Drake Bay and Corcovado National Park, this luxurious beachfront eco-resort caters to those travelers seeking an “off-the-beaten-path” rainforest and ocean experience.
.jpg?q=95&w=450)
Nantipa Beach Resort
Enjoy 'barefoot luxury' within the Puntarenas Province at Nantipa, an official member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World. You'll be nestled within the quintessential beach town of Santa Teresa along the exquisite Nicoya Peninsula. Indulge in enjoying nature and relaxation.
Cala Luna Hotel and Villas
The elegant Cala Luna Hotel and Villas are located on the northwestern shoreline of Costa Rica, in the bustling tourist town of Tamarindo. This picturesque region opens a doorway to flat lands, green mountains and rich foliage. Because of the unique climate, the area boasts a tremendous diversity of terrain, from dense rain forests to airy deciduous forests, towering active volcanoes to lush sugarcane fields, and thick lagoons to untouched beaches.
Surf, snorkel and sail
Surf lessons in Nosara, Santa Teresa and Dominical, snorkeling off Tortuga Island and Caño Island, and catamaran cruises from Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio. See all Costa Rica surf lessons, snorkeling tours and catamaran tours.
Playa del Coco Catamaran
From $100The Marlin del Rey Catamaran Tour is a great activity for family and friends to enjoy ocean breezes and coastline scenery while sipping delicious tropical drinks. Feel the wind in your hair and bask in the sun while sailing breezily past bays and sandy beaches.
Manuel Antonio Catamaran
From $94The Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour is available in both Morning and Afternoon-Sunset tour full of beautiful views and marine exploration along the stunning pacific waters of Manuel Antonio.
Head off for a day of sailing, snorkeling, and swimming on this tour. You’ll sail up the coast from Playa Flamingo and explore some of the Nicoya Peninsula’s most beautiful coastal areas.
Catamaran Cruise and Snorkeling
From $99We invite all our friends and visitors to enjoy an outstanding naturalist tour with amazing views of the Manuel Antonio National Park on board our catamaran. Enjoy great company and recreational fun during this half-day excursion Choose between our morning and afternoon tour.
Tamarindo Catamaran Tour
From $100The Marlin del Rey Catamaran Tour is a great activity for family and friends to enjoy ocean breezes and coastline scenery while sipping delicious tropical drinks. Feel the wind in your hair and bask in the sun while sailing silently past beautiful bays and sandy beaches.
Tortuga Island Tour
From $103Take an adventurous, all-inclusive tour of the gorgeous coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll have ample opportunity for spotting wildlife as well as relaxing in the natural beauty of Tortuga Island. This is an all-day tour—your boat departs at 9 AM from Montezuma and returns at 4 PM.
Find Beaches Off-the-Beaten Path
Costa Rica has beaches all over the country, but you’ll find some of the nicest and most secluded on the Nicoya Peninsula. Sámara is a pristine, white- sand beach on a bay with calm water and ideal swimming conditions. Montezuma and Mal Pais-Santa Teresa are more bohemian, and may appeal to younger travelers who are looking for a party.
Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
If you’re interested in renting a car, plan a road trip to see the beaches along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. In the Guanacaste region you can start at the beach of Playa Hermosa and work your way down the Pacific Coast — make stops at Playa Flamingo, Brasilito, and Playa Conchal before finally ending up in Tamarindo, which is one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach destinations.
South Pacific Beaches
Caribbean Coast Beaches
Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast also has up-and-coming beach destinations, like Puerto Viejo de Limón and Cahuita. Look out for bright blue water and awesome surf spots.
Osa Peninsula Beaches
Your Trip Expert is Ready to Tell you More!
This page could only fit some of our favorite beaches, and there are many more to explore. Our friendly travel specialists can fill you in on the complete range of beach destinations and tours. We’ll do the planning — all we ask is that you remember to pack your swimsuit!
Recommended for beach trips
Beachfront Hotels in Costa Rica
These hotels sit right on the beach, and they provide direct access to sandy shores and…
Costa Rica Luxury Hotels
Expect only the best from these exclusive lodging options in Costa Rica. As luxury hotels, the…
Beach Destinations
Costa Rica has nearly 300 different beaches along its stunning Pacific and Caribbean…
Customer Reviews
Alfonso Fernandez and the excellent team at Anywhere CR really put together a fantastic vacation for our family of 5 (Mom, Dad, boys 10 and 12, girl 6). They patiently worked with us beforehand, taking the time to understand our key motivators for the trip. The itinerary we followed was excellent. SO much fun in Manuel Antionio, great beach, and so much fun to watch the “morning monkeys” go through the trees each day. Catamaran tour was very nice. Nice crew. Fishing turned out great. Very nice captain and first mate. My son caught a large Roosterfish that he will remember forever. Manuel Antonio national park tour was excellent, our guide was very knowledgeable and saw SO many different species of animals. We spend every afternoon body surfing and playing beach soccer. Loved the location and the people. Alfonso - all your recommendations were excellent, and accurate to what you explained. Showing up in a new country with a simple itinerary from Anywhere Costa Rica allowed me to completely relax, follow the script, and thoroughly enjoy Costa Rica. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Robert K
Couple
Knowing we were coming into Liberia, Lester designed a trip that hit 4 different areas – La Fortuna, Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Tamarindo – that allowed us to experience the volcano area, the cloud forest and some great beach towns.
