Costa Rica Beach Trips

This article discusses some of the best locations to make the most of your Costa Rica beach trips.

MANUEL ANTONIO

Manuel Antonio is a natural paradise located just south of Quepos on the Pacific Coast. It is a charming combination of rain forest, coral reefs and beaches; it is considered by many to be the most beautiful spot in the country.

The Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, even though it is one of the richest in terms of beauty and biodiversity, and one of the main attractions in the area, and the perfect spot to make the most of you Costa Rica Beach trips.

Manuel Antonio is composed of three areas; a National Park, beaches and the Manuel Antonio hills. Quepos is the nearest town to Manuel Antonio, and is where most of the night life takes place, and only a short 10 minute drive to the nearest beaches, which are magnificent and world renowned.

TAMARINDO

Once a sleepy town, Tamarindo is now Guanacaste's largest coastal center, frequented by foreigners from all over the world. It has all the amenities of a Costa Rican beach town – surf, sand, sun and a robust nightlife. Even though this amazing town has become a Mecca for surfers, Tamarindo is also a favorite for eco-travelers. It is surrounded by National Parks to its north and south, and mountains with abundant nature, making Tamarindo an excellent candidate for your list of Costa Rica Beach trips.

Playa Tamarindo is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas.  The beach is a three and a half km stretch of white sand and blue waters.  Tamarindo offers its visitors first class water sports such as surfing, sport fishing, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and diving, as well as other activities including horseback riding, canopy tours, turtle watching, golfing and ATV tours.
JACO’

Jacó is Costa Rica’s most visited beach - a top destination for surfers, backpackers, and land-loving resort travelers alike.  For those interested in activities such as surfing, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking and sport fishing, Jacó is a great place to do just that.  There are plenty of tour operators in the area that can arrange your Jacó Beach adventure tours at very competitive rates.

Jaco Beach, Hermosa Beach, Caletas and Punta Leona are the most visited beaches in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. These beaches are relatively close to the capital city, and thus provide the perfect weekend escape for tourists and locals alike. Jaco, Costa Rica is one of the most popular beaches in the area and is a small self-contained city in itself, with all types of stores, banks, supermarkets and hotels. Punta Leona on the other hand is a secluded private club and hotel with a white sand beach and a private forest, making Jaco’ a must include on your Costa Rica beach trips itinerary.

PUERTO VIEJO & CAHUITA

Puerto Viejo known for its laid back attitude, allows visitors to experience Costa Rica’s most exotic side.  This beautiful beach town has a unique blend of Latin, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures.  Nearby Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge provides tourists with the opportunity to observe the area’s incredible wildlife, both of which are a short distance away.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica has a lot to offer.  From world-class surfing, snorkeling and diving among the many reefs in the blue waters, to mountain biking, horseback riding and cultural visits to indigenous people.   Nearby Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge provides tourists with the opportunity to observe the area’s incredible wildlife, both of which are a short distance away.
Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo.  The town has a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants and accommodations dispersed all over the place.  Just south of Puerto Viejo, visitors will discover the amazing beaches of Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva, although the dirt road connecting the villages is often in poor shape.

Drake Bay (Corcovado National Park)

Drake Bay is one of the most peaceful and beautiful destinations in Costa Rica.  The town, commonly referred to as simply ‘Drake’, is a tranquil village that offers easy access to Corcovado National Park – known for its natural beauty, diverse wildlife and unique ecology.  National Geographic has called it "the most biologically intense place on Earth".

The Osa Peninsula is located in the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and was described by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on Earth” featuring places like Corcovado National Park, Caño Island Biological Reserve and Drake Bay. This is an area of fascinating natural beauty with miles of isolated beaches, cascades of crystalline water, and plenty of activities including scuba diving, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing, dolphin and whale watching as well as hiking though tropical rainforests.

TORTUGUERO

Known as the "Costa Rica’s Amazon", Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for marine turtles – every year, thousands of them come ashore along these world-famous beaches to lay their eggs.  Another great feature in the area is the Tortuguero Canals, an extensive system of natural and man-made waterways used both for transportation and jungle exploration.

Tortuguero National Park is one of the most famous of Costa Rica´s National Parks. The scenery of the canals and the jungle that is around them is simply a must see. While travelling on the different canals a great variety of flora and fauna may be witness. Following you may find Tortuguero Lodges and Hotels that are commonly used by tourists that visit this area.
Most visitors to Tortuguero take multiday tours that depart from different areas of Costa Rica, since no one can arrive by car. There are only two possibilities of transporting yourself to Tortuguero, either by boat or by the local small planes.

MONTEZUMA

The town of Montezuma began as a remote fishing village and has gained popularity since the 80’s among nature lovers and tourists on a budget.  The town features a mix of local residents, foreign backpackers and eco-tourists that come for its stunning beaches, rivers and scenic waterfalls that surround the village.  The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve also attracts a great number of visitors to the area.

Montezuma is located in the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas Province, and it started as a little fishing village in a remote location, today this little town is a charming and popular beach destination offering something for everyone, wildlife, national parks and reserves such as Cabo Blanco, Tortuga Island and Curu Wildlife Reserve, beaches, rivers, scenic waterfalls, as well as restaurants, hotels and some nightlife.

So there you have it, easy access to some of the best beaches in the world. We look forward to seeing you soon!