The 22 Best Beaches in Costa Rica

From shell-strewn coves and turtle-nesting shores to surf-town breaks and quiet Caribbean coves backed by rainforest, this coastline swings between postcard-famous and barely-signposted. Where do you stand?

1. 1
   Manuel Antonio Beach

   Pacific coast beach beside Manuel Antonio National Park, prized for calm turquoise water and sloths and monkeys in the treeline.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Playa Ballena

   Whale's Tail-shaped sandbar beach inside Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita.
   942pts
3. 3
   Ostional

   Pacific beach famous for mass olive ridley sea turtle nesting events called arribadas.
   888pts
4. 4
   Playa Negra Cahuita

   Caribbean black-sand beach shaped by volcanic sediment, with a well-known reef surf break.
   753pts
5. 5
   Playa Blanca Cahuita

   White-sand beach inside Cahuita National Park backed by coastal rainforest and coral reef.
   668pts
6. 6
   Playa Cocles

   Caribbean-side beach near Puerto Viejo known for consistent surf breaks and a reggae-tinged beach-town feel.
   667pts
7. 7
   Playa Zancudo

   Remote southern Pacific beach favored by long-term surfers and sportfishermen for its quiet pace.
   565pts
8. 8
   Playa Samara

   Crescent bay beach protected by an offshore reef, known for calm, family-friendly swimming water.
   565pts
9. 9
   Playa Carrillo

   Palm-lined crescent beach near Samara often cited as one of Costa Rica's most beautiful shorelines.
   565pts
10. 10
    Punta Uva

    Twin-cove Caribbean beach backed by rainforest, with calm water and frequent sloth sightings.
    565pts
11. 11
    Playa Flamingo

    Guanacaste beach with a wide white-sand crescent and a marina popular with the sportfishing crowd.
    565pts
12. 12
    Playa Avellanas

    Guanacaste surf beach fronted by mangrove estuary, home to the famous Lola's beach bar.
    565pts
13. 13
    Montezuma

    Bohemian Nicoya Peninsula village beach set near waterfalls and tide pools.
    439pts
14. 14
    Playa Hermosa Guanacaste

    Calm crescent bay near Playas del Coco known for steady winds that favor windsurfing and kitesurfing.
    439pts
15. 15
    Pavones

    Golfo Dulce beach famous for one of the longest rideable left-hand surf breaks in the world.
    439pts
16. 16
    Playas del Coco

    Gulf of Papagayo fishing-town beach that serves as a launch point for scuba diving and nightlife.
    282pts
17. 17
    Tamarindo Beach

    Guanacaste's most developed beach town, with a long forgiving surf break and a lively nightlife scene.
    282pts
18. 18
    Playa Conchal

    Guanacaste beach made of crushed shells instead of sand, framed by unusually clear turquoise water.
    282pts
19. 19
    Santa Teresa

    Nicoya Peninsula surf beach with a laid-back, boutique-hotel scene that draws long-boarders and digital nomads.
    282pts
20. 20
    Playa Guiones

    Long, consistent Nosara beach break that anchors Costa Rica's yoga-and-surf retreat scene.
    282pts
21. 21
    Jaco Beach

    The closest beach town to San Jose, popular for surf schools and an active nightlife strip.
    282pts
22. 22
    Playa Chiquita

    Quiet Caribbean beach south of Puerto Viejo favored by snorkelers for its calm, reef-sheltered coves.
    282pts