7 best beaches in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become such a popular travel destination, among other things, because of its beautiful beaches.

Hardly any other country combines such a wealth of nature and biodiversity as Costa Rica. It is therefore a particularly suitable holiday destination for all those who appreciate swimming in natural bays.

1. Isla Tortuga Beach

Manta rays, dolphins and turtles – the latter even gave the small island its name. Isla Tortuga translates as “Island of Turtles” because the animals stay on the beaches here during the breeding season. The island is an hour and a half by boat from the shore of the Nicoya Peninsula and is therefore the perfect destination for a great day trip. This makes the beach one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, as such an excursion is celebrated differently than the usual beach visit on the mainland. There are no overnight accommodations on the island, but there is no shortage of options for activities on Tortuga. For example, you can hike to the top of the island and see monkeys, peccaries and a wide variety of bird species. Snorkelling off the island is also highly recommended. Our tip: One of the island’s many advantages is actually underwater. Directly in front of Tortuga there are three shipwrecks on the seabed, just waiting to be discovered on a dive.

2. Drake’s Beach

Dark sand, azure blue water and the lush green of the trees – the beach of Drake Bay is located right at the entrance to Corcovado National Park. With its hidden beaches, the bay looks like a tropical paradise. Our favorite of them is Drake’s Beach, because its isolation makes it a great place to unwind. The fact that Corcovado National Park is one of the most species-rich parks in Costa Rica can also be felt here. At least the chances of seeing dolphins in the wild are extremely good here and there is also a lot to see on land. If you are lucky, you might see monkeys or wild cats on a stroll through the adjacent jungle. The natural wealth is typical of this beach and makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Our tip: you can and should definitely rent a kayak on site. Being out on the water increases the chances of encountering dolphins many times over.

3. Playa Manuel Antonio

White sand, clear water and a dreamlike backdrop – the images that can be seen in Manuel Antonio National Park could have come from a film. Most people know this and the park is probably on every Costa Rica bucket list. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, the park’s beaches are among the most beautiful in Costa Rica for us. We also want to make sure that no one misses out on this experience. The park has four beautiful beaches to offer, most notably the main beach, Playa Manuel Antonio. But the beaches of Playa Espadilla Sur, La Playita and Playa Teloro are also not to be underestimated. On a day trip to the national park, it is worth visiting all of them at once, so you are guaranteed not to get bored. They are all excellent for snorkeling. Espadilla Sur Beach is considered to be particularly family-friendly and rarely visited. Manuel Antonio Beach is known and popular above all for its panoramas. Our tip: the boat tours on a catamaran at sunset are highly recommended. With a bit of luck, dolphins will also join you and make the experience complete.

4. Playa Conchal

Endless expanses, clear water and rolling hills – you don’t need much more to describe this beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica is called Playa Conchal and is located in Guanacaste. Admittedly, this beach does not have a lot to offer in terms of activities, but maybe that is sometimes exactly what we need on vacation. So if you are looking for peace and quiet or a place where you can read a good book in the best setting, this is the place for you. But if you have had enough of the idyll after a while, you can also head to one of the nearby beaches. You can choose between Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo Beach. The latter is probably one of the most famous beaches in the country. Our tip: Horseback riding has a deep cultural significance in the area around Santa Cruz. If you want to follow this trail, you can book a horseback riding tour along the beach at Playa Conchal. An event that everyone will surely remember fondly long after the holiday.

5. Playa Flamingo

Luxurious elegance and a sandy beach that glows a delicate shade of pink in the right light – Playa Flamingo got its name from this play of colors. You won’t find any flamingos here. The beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and because we are not alone in this opinion, many people from abroad have settled here. Most of them do not live here permanently, however, but have invested in luxurious holiday homes. One of the reasons why the beach exudes a touch of luxury and sophisticated elegance. Playa Flamingo is also very close to Brasilito, Potrero and Conchal beaches. The latter is also on our list of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Our tip: Although the area around Flamingo beach has little nightlife, the small shops, restaurants and cafés are very suitable for an afternoon stroll through the city.

6. Playa Grande

An endless sandy beach, green palm trees and strong waves – Playa Grande is a true surfing paradise. Located north of Tamarindo in Guanacaste, this beach is part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park. The atmosphere here is very relaxed and many people travel here specifically for the optimal surfing conditions. For this very reason, this beach is less suitable for snorkeling than its neighbors. However, for anyone who wants to surf, this is definitely one of the most suitable beaches in Costa Rica. If you still don’t want to miss out on the underwater world, you can take a detour to the neighboring beach of Playa Ventanas. Our tip: The Rio Matapalo estuary is very close by. The water borders the area and can be explored as part of a booked kayak tour. In addition to the breathtaking nature, there are also many animals to see. With a bit of luck, in addition to countless bird species, monkeys can also be observed in their natural environment. A typical Costa Rican experience that you shouldn’t miss!

7. Playa Negra

Dark sand, blue water, green plants and the brilliant white of the surf – the name of the beach Playa Negra says it all. Despite this special feature, this beach is probably still unknown to many. Good for anyone who wants to relax away from the crowds. Playa Negra is hidden on the west coast of Costa Rica, very close to the town of Tamarindo. The best way to reach the beach is from Playa Ventanas, where you can park easily. A narrow path then takes you north from Playa Ventanas to the neighboring Playa Negra. The highlight of our insider tip is the combination of very light and very dark sand. The latter gave Playa Negra its name, which translates as “the black beach”. Because of the unusual color combination, building sandcastles here is particularly fun. Our tip: The Tamarindo Night Market takes place in Tamarindo every Thursday. There is music, dancing, food, drinks and lots of impressions. For many locals, the night market is the weekly opportunity to come together and spend the evening with loved ones.