Beaches in Costa Rica

Best Pacific and Caribbean beaches by purpose: surf, snorkel, family swim, sunset, hidden coves.

Best Caribbean beaches in Costa Rica

Punta Uva, Manzanillo, Cahuita, Playa Negra — the honest guide to Costa Rica's Caribbean coast beaches and when to go.

The safest swim beaches for families: Conchal, Sámara, Playa Hermosa Guanacaste, and Manuel Antonio main beach ranked and compared.

Andaz Papagayo, Four Seasons, Nantipa, Nayara Tented Camp — the honest guide to Costa Rica's top luxury beach hotels and who each suits.

From Conchal's crushed shells to Manuel Antonio's wildlife-backed coves, find the right Pacific beach for your trip.

Manzanillo, Cahuita, and Punta Uva are Costa Rica's top shore-snorkel beaches. Here's what to expect and how to plan your visit.

Tamarindo for beginners, Nosara and Santa Teresa for intermediate, Pavones for advanced — the honest surf beach breakdown by level.

Pacific = sunsets + variety + resorts. Caribbean = reggae + reefs + authenticity. Choose the right Costa Rica coast for your travel style.

Over 80% of drownings in Costa Rica are tourists. Learn the flag system, how to spot riptides, and which beaches to avoid for safe swimming.

Coco and Hermosa for resorts, Conchal and Flamingo for white sand, Tamarindo for surf, Nosara for yoga — the complete Guanacaste coast breakdown.

Playa Cativo, Punta Banco, Junquillal, Carrillo, Playa Mantas — the quiet Costa Rica beaches that do not appear in mass-market guides.

Nosara for yoga, Santa Teresa for surf lifestyle, Sámara for families — choose the right Nicoya Peninsula beach for your trip.

IMN tide service, Tide-X apps, surf school briefings — how to read Costa Rica tide tables and plan beach activities around swell and tidal cycles.