Barra del Colorado

Created the 26 of July of 1985, it is wild area is located in the North Caribbean, in the forntera with Republic of Nicaragua. Sandal 50km of coast and 78,977 you have of fluvial channels, lagoons, rivers, islands, forests, marshes and hills (old volcanic cones); all these places with inferior altitudes to 230m.


The climate is very I smoke and warms up, without dry station. Rain is abundant throughout the year, but there is a sensible reduction in the pluvial activity in the course of the month of March.

The annual average temperature oscillates of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. A fluvial channel of 78km of length communicates the South limit of the refuge with the Port of Moín. An intense and permanent pluvial activity precipitates of 5,500 to 6,000 mm of water per year, flooding the plain, already of in case saturated by waters of the rivers San Juan, Colorado and Chirripó.

The area surrounding Barra del Colorado is quite swampy making walking here extremely difficult. The best way to see town and the refuge itself is by boat. There is also a small ranger station of the park near town. However, there are no facilities here.

From Barra del Colorado, you can also head on into Nicaragua by boat. If you plan on taking a boat ride near the Nicaraguan border, be sure to carry your passport, as you are likely to be stopped and checked by police from time to time.

Playa Tortuguero

Located in the Provincia de Limon, 80 km to the north of the city of Limon. It is part of the Tortugero National Park . The access is due to do in boat.

Dark beach of 5 km of extension, sands and strong surge. Its main attractiveness is the arrived one of turtles that lay eggs throughout their coast. They excel the species green and baula.

Beach destined a: sun, beach, sea, long walks.

Playa Manzanillo

Located in the Province of Limon, Canton de Talamanca. The way is taken that communicates Puerto Viejo and other beaches of this sector, the way finalizes in Manzanillo.

Beach of approximately 4 km in length, between Punta Uvato the north and Punta Manzanillo to the south. It presents/displays very propitious areas for the bath, as well as other ideals for the diving by the presence of chorales. It constitutes one of the areas of greater scenic beauty of the country.

The beach is of whitish sand of little surge and gentle slopes, bordered by infinity of coconut palms and coralline reefs that extend 200 mt out to sea.

Playa Puerto Viejo

It is located towards the South of the Provincia de Limon, by the highway that leads to Bribrí, 10 km after Cahuita.

The beach counts along with on an extension of 10 km Playa Cocles. Both with sands blanquísimas. Between Old Port and Playa Cocles a coralline reef that has allowed the creation of a true aquarium, of great attractive exists for the free diving. The presence of their flora and terrestrial and marine fauna conform their beautiful scenic frame.

Beaches destined to sun, beach, sea, diving, surf, photograph.

Playa Cahuita

The national park of located Cahuita this in the city of Cahuita, 43 kilometers South of Lemon, in the Caribbean Coast of the country, one of the spectacular regions but of the country.  Its main attraction is the white and endless sands of coconut trees in the beach, accompanied by a calm and crystalline water sea, with reefs of chorale near the border.

The most attractive element of this park is the marine life that lives in the diverse aquatic forests, where blooms the choral brain. Also it is possible to find the great gamma of tropical fish, adorned with shining colors and showy, skinny, rays and eels also are resident permanent, by the biodiversity of these waters is an ideal place to dive.

In addition it is possible to find a great variety of terrestrial animals like raccoons, crabs, monkeys, birds, frogs, snakes, other reptiles and many insects.

Playa Tambor

It is located in the Provincia de Puntarenas, in the Central Canton de Puntarenas.

Bay of surge and gentle slope of dark sands and crystalline waters. It presents/displays promontories in both ends, cliffs that still conserve their vegetation and to manglar of great importance. To present/display the condition of bay some for the swimmer is no danger.

Beach destined sun, beach, sea, diving in the proximities of the promontories and rich fishing.

Playa Tamarindo

It is located in the Provincia de Guanacaste, Canton de Santa Cruz.

The coastal sector where Tamarindo is located to Beach, is one of the most developed of all the country in infrastructure and services of recreational-tourist type.

Tamarindo Beach distinguishes so much by its smooth surge and clarity of waters, cliffs, hills and landscape in general. Beach of little slope, therefore the security is optimal for the swimmer.

Surf in Tamarindo can be practiced all the year - the best time is of March to November, mainly in the mouth of the matting, and in the South sector of the beach. There is all type of waves.

Activities that can be made: aquatic long walks, sports, fish, surf and diving.

Playa Samara

It is located in the Provincia de Guanacaste, Canton de Nicoya.

Beach of type sea opened of strong surge, sands cremoso color parduzco with an extension of 3,797 TM. It is located in the middle of the rio Lagarto and Buena Vista of here his great hydric wealth. Tourist beach, by its high scenic soportante and attractive capacity. It offers the greater concentration of facilities dedicated to the tourist service. It presents/displays little vegetation throughout his coast reason why the already existing one does not have to be altered. One is due to take precautions at the time of the bath.

Beach destined to sun, beach, sea, sports of beach, long walks, strolls to horse.

Playa Potrero

In a calm water bay, it also has matting and manglares of great beauty. Apt for the rest, to admire the landscape, and to make aquatic sports as the sport fishing, the diving and snorkeling.

Playa Ostional

Ample and of enormous waves, it is closely together of Nosara beach. It is recognized internationally for being the destiny for anidación of the dark-brown turtle between July and November. Form leaves from the Refuge of Wild Life Ostional.Ostional is afamous world-wide by the egg-laying of different types from turtle,“mainly Dark-brown”. During this process and due to great amount of turtles that arrive, is common to see them disputing a site to lay eggs.

Playa Ocotal

Located in the Province of Guanacaste, Canton de Carrillo.

Little Beach, sand olive tree and gray color navy blue. Mts of length has an extension of 177, is of type bay, little danger for the swimmer during the low tide. 

We observed promontories with vegetal cover, platforms and reefs that offer the possibility of the free diving. Of rich vegetation throughout its coast and excellent landscape of countryside. Account with wharf and is anchorage of boats.

Playa Nosara

Playa Nosara located in the Province of Guanacaste, Canton of Santa Cruz.

Account with an extension of 3 km approximately, their clear sands are of brown color. It is of the type rectilinear beach, strong surge, moderate slope to discharge. 

It presents/displays promontories in the South end where Punta Nosara is located, being this one of attractive greater his. It divides of Ostional in Concave the North sector the rocky promontory to it.

Playa Montezuma

Located in the Province of Puntarenas, the Canton de Puntarenas. In order to visit we advised it to him to take ferry to Paquera and to follow the Paquera-Cóbano-Cabuya-Montezuma.

Small beach of extreme beauty and the exotic environs, in which it is possible to be walked by natural atmospheres of dry forest, rocky zones that create small streams, watterfalls and pools of great scenic beauty.

Magnificent to swim and for diving of snorkel's in the rocky coves to the south of the population. During the low tide the water enters the coves bringing with himself a vast specimen collection of marine life, which can be enjoyed walking by the beach.

Playa Mal País

Located in the Province of Puntarenas, Canton of Puntarenas. Two routes exist to arrive: for first it can take in Puntarenas, ferry that goes towards Paquera and of enrumbar itself there to Mal Pais. For second, it must take ferry from the Tempisque bridge and follow the route Tempisque-Saint Pablo-Jicaral-Beach Naranjo-Paquera-Cóbano.

Mal Pais Beach conforms the rocky coast of very irregular form, in where the visitor, can find extended creeks, ends, platforms, stony laminae between portions of sand inhabited by crabs, rocks and pools of sea or rain, each one of them extraordinary in his particular ecosystem. The place of the zone is of great beauty, as much by surrounds it that it is of the Absolute Cabo Blanco Reserve like by his contrastante variety.

Beach destined a: sun, beach, sea.

Playa Langosta

Playa Langosta is an important place for the egg-laying of the Baula turtle. Towards the north she is rocky and it does not offer conditions for the bath, to the south has a matting whose manglar it serves as center for many marine birds. He is popular by his natural landscape and to practice surf.

Playa Langosta is an important place for the egg-laying of the Baula turtle. Towards the north she is rocky and it does not offer conditions for the bath, to the south has a matting whose manglar it serves as center for many marine birds. He is popular by his natural landscape and to practice surf.

Playa Junquillal

Playa Junquillal is situated 30 km west of Santa Cruz and 20 km south of Tamarindo. Found in the North Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste province, you can reach this beautiful beach either from Villareal or from Santa Cruz.

With a quiet and serene environment, Playa Junquillal is a three kilometer beach strip that is unlike any other on the Guanacaste Gold Coast. Backed by lovely grasslands, the beach here is mostly empty with just a few hotels and restaurants in Playa Junquillal.


The perfect escape, if you wish to avoid the humdrum and noise of the other beaches, Playa Junquillal is a short distance away from the village of Junquilla. This beach is great for a tranquil stroll alone or with your partner, as the sunsets here are quite spectacular. Not the best beach for swimming as the waters here tend to be very rough, Playa Junquillal has some nice surfing spots as well as an estuary in the area. For those who prefer some action, activities such as horseback riding, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling are available too.

Often called one of the province’s best kept secrets, Playa Junquillal is a pristine beach with fantastic surroundings. If you are the outdoorsy type, camping out under the stars is a fun option. You can also rent mountain bikes and view the lovely environs, or take a horseback ride along the beach strip. Keep a look out for monkeys, turtles and a variety of butterflies and birds that live in the area. There is plenty to explore, and you can additionally explore the immediate dry tropical forests on foot or enjoy some fishing or diving if you get bored.

You can take a trip to nearby Playa Avellana or Playa Negra from some excellent surfing opportunities or visit the Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste, a national marine park that is just north in Tamarindo. If you are on vacation to get a way from it all, this beach is just right as it is secluded yet easily accessible at the same time.

Playa Jaco

To less than two hours by highway from San jose is the tourist locality of Jacó. The conditions of this coastal town, as much by his elaborated tourist supply like by its proximity to places like Beautiful Beach, the Carara National Park , Tácoles river, or like beaches of Bejuco and Esterillos, or manglar of Guacalillo, they form it as a good point of contact with the Central Pacific.

Jacó Beach  has a curvilinear beach of 4 kilometers in length, delimited to both sides by two green hills. If an activity gives relief and characterizes to this beach is the practice of the Surf, Jacó its an ideal place for the practice of this sport activity. Its coasts like those of the near Beautiful Beach locality, to the south of Jacó, they lodge the year important national competitions throughout as as much international that they will make enjoy the followers this sport.

In Jacó you will find all the related one to surf, like stores, rents of tables, lessons for nascent and mainly the atmosphere characteristic of beaches marked by this sport.

Playa Islita

A cove in form of medialuna with calm waters and that count on two matting that give a complement him to the beauty of their landscape. Its way offers a full beautiful cliff panorama.

In her it is possible to be enjoyed the clean water, to make long walks, to take the sun, cavalcade, cycling of mountain, tours in 4x4 and, to give strolls in boat and to practice sport fishing and diving.

Playa Hermosa

An important point that most tourists need to be aware of is the fact that there are two beaches named Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica. One is located in Guanacaste, while the other Playa Hermosa lies in Puntarenas.

The Playa Hermosa that is in Puntarenas is one of the best surfing havens in the country. However this Playa Hermosa located in Guanacaste is just 20 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. One of the best maintained beaches in the country, Playa Hermosa, offers visitors crystal clear blue waters and gorgeous scenery, making it a very popular beach strip on the west coast.

Winner of the ‘Bandera Azul’ or ‘Blue Flag’, a prize given to beaches that demonstrate high environmental standards and excellent safety facilities, Playa Hermosa lies seven kilometers north of Playas del Coco. Meaning ‘beautiful beach’ in Spanish, Playa Hermosa has made a name for itself with its idyllic beauty and lush surroundings. A two-kilometer long grey sand beach, encircled by tropical forests and ridges of volcanic rock, Hermosa Beach is a great family destination for all to enjoy.

This beach is relaxed, rarely crowded and laid back most of the year, making it a great retreat for those who wish to just lie back leisurely and enjoy the sun. With warm water temperatures and ideal weather conditions all year long, Playa Hermosa is the perfect haven with convenient accommodations and restaurants that line the beach shore. Recently, many luxury hotels have also set up base out in Playa Hermosa to take advantage of the pristine conditions.


Perfect for swimming and scuba diving, Playa Hermosa offers amazing diving safaris and snorkeling opportunities for those who enjoy being out in the sea. With some of the best scuba diving in the country, you can also have great fun renting out kayaks, sailboards, windsurfing equipment, canoes, jet skis and water bikes from the many shops that line the beach. Local tourist companies also offer organized fishing trips as well as catamaran rides along the Hermosa coast for those who prefer a more tranquil holiday.

Playa Grande

Along with Tamarind, comprises of the Baulas National Park and is exclusive zone of the Baula Turtle.

Very it is desired by the surfers by his immense waves, and offers conditions to make long walks, to bathe and to take the sun. It has restricted schedule.

It is a cove characterized by the rocky promontories, appropriate to take the sun, to bathe, to rest and to make long walks.

Playa Flamingo

Moderate surge and white sand. It must manglar and to the north they are isla Plata and Punta Salinas. To single 36 km of Santa Cruz it is a place that characterizes by its white sand and its imposing houses of rest.

The hotels in this beach are of first class with excellent services and comforts, which makes one of the sites of recreation of more class and comfort in the country.

Playas del Coco

Located in the Provincia de Guanacaste, the Canton de Santa Cruz.

It is a dark sand beach, of little more than 1 km of extension, whose hard surge very is pleased by the lovers of “surf”.

Beach destined to sun, beach, sea, surf.

Playa Coyote

Playa Coyote is among the many beautiful and remote beaches that sit off the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste province. Lying on the pristine shores of the Pacific, and in between Playa Samara and Playa Manzanillo, this beach is actually quite isolated as most roads leading here are dirt tracks that are very rough and spractically impassable when it rains.

The best way to reach this stunning beach is to catch a domestic flight from the capital San Jose to the airports of Samara or Islita, and then drive out to Playa Coyote via the village of San Francisco de Coyote, which is around four kilometers from the beach.

Located roughly 7 km from Playa San Miguel, you can also catch a ferry from Puntarenas city to Playa Naranjo or Paquera, and then drive up to Jicaral. From here, head west to San Francisco de Coyote. Playa Coyote is a virgin tropical paradise with a long and sandy horseshoe-shaped beach that is surrounded by tall coconut trees. Here, many beautiful birds and monkeys can also be seen along the seashore, making it a great beach for bird watchers.

Quiet and tranquil, Playa Coyote is considered by many to be one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. The perfect place to have a long relaxing holiday away from the hubbub of the city, this picturesque beach offers tourists amazing sunsets and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Divided by the Rio Jabillo and a mangrove estuary, to get from the northern to the southern end of the beach you have to travel back up to San Francisco de Coyote and then back down again to the beach.

Playa Conchal

With 1.5 kilometers of extension, this beautiful white beach is famous by its formed sand of million particles of shells, which gives very special characteristics him and they do one of most beautiful of the country. Their waters are transparent and must manglar and much vegetation. He is ideal for the aquatic benefit, cavalcades, diving and other sports, besides to count on several near hotels. It is located to two kilometers of Brasilito beach. It is arrived by the Liberia-Guard-Filadelfia-Belen-Huacas-Brasilito-Conchal route

Playa Carrillo

To 5 km of Sámara it very has a beach pleased by the visitors to be town of coconut palms and because their waves are very calm what it makes ideal to swim. In her also long walks can be done, to take the sun and for sport and artisan fishing. Distance 43 kilometers of Nicoya, by the route Nicoya-Curime-Caimital- Bethlehem-Velvet-Maquenco-Sámara-Carrillo. It has an extension of almost 3 kilometers. She is near great hotel developments of international companies.

Playa Dominical

To borders of the Barú river, that marks to the limit between the Central Pacific and the South Pacific, is the locality of Dominical, to 46 kilometers to the south of Quepos, a rich region in landscapes, biodiversity and attractive tourist. In this small town, that counts on a good tourist infrastructure, relax is breathed and a cosy atmosphere.

This old villa of fishing account with a beautiful ideal beach for the practice of surf, with a good surge throughout the year, this causes that it is a destiny very chosen by the surfers And next to her Playa Dominicalito, but to the south, a beach for relax and to enjoy a postcard image.

In the neighborhood of Dominical are places that you cannot let visit, like the Refuge of Wild Life Hacienda Barú, where you will learn much on the wild life, or the famous and impressive Nauyaca cataract, inside the forest, or the cataracts of the Diamante river, or the serpents of the Reptilandia Park.

From Dominical it is acceded to most of the destinies of the South Pacific and between its more recommendable places: Punta Uvita, Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, Bay Drake, manglares of the Sierpe river, Parque Nacional Corcovado or Isla del Caño, in whose passage if you have luck you will be able to sight whales, orcas and dolphins.

Playa Brasilito

To east Conchal the beach, the landscape is totally different; he is a little dark, do not abound the shells and the vegetation is poor, although it has great scenic beauty. Ideal for the benefit, long walks and observation of the marine life. Account with several small near hotels. In order to arrive the Liberia-Guard-Bethlehem-Huacas-Brasilito route is followed (70 kilometers), or to 45 kilometers of Santa Cruz.

In the town of Brasilito there are some small hotels, stores, bars and restaurants and Internet coffee. Also there are businesses that rent horses, diving gear, motociclos, and other equipment for benefit of the tourist.

Beaches of Costa Rica

Costa Rica means Rich Coast and  different attractive especially wonderful and great beaches.The country have beaches with white sand separates the verdure of the rainforest from the oceans aquamarine waters, to long beaches washed by frothy surf and lined with lanky coconut palms.
Within that variety and natural exuberance are the ingredients needed to fulfill every traveler's tropical fantasy.

Countless stretches of sun-swathed sand await you on Costa Rica's 762 miles of sinuous coastline, spread between the Pacific and Caribbean. Most of those beaches are backed by forests that contain a myriad of rare flora and fauna, while submerged off some lie such marine wonders and intricate coral formations and kaleidoscopes of brightly colored tropical fish. And in addition to their own attractions, many of those beaches can serve as your base for such varied activities as white water river rafting, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, skin diving and other outdoor adventures.
Perhaps more important, Costa Rica's beaches provide the prefect conditions for doing absolutely nothing, which is an essential part of any vacation. Such natural attributes as soft ocean breezes, impeccable blue skies, rustling palm fronds, warm sand and the rhythmic crashing of the surf combine with amenities like cool beverages, tropical music, fresh fruit and an abundance of seafood, elevating leisure to the level of a science.

The nation's tradition of hospitality is complemented by a modern transportation system and a cornucopia of coastal accommodations to ensure comfortable beach vacations for all. Costa Rica's beach selection is simply mind boggling, certainly more than you could visit in several vacations. The following overview of the country's "playas", as beaches are called in Spanish, is consequently intended to help you decide which of those coastal treasures you would like to discover for yourself.

Popular Beaches in Costa Rica

    Beach Brasilito, Guanacaste
    Beach Carrillo, Guanacaste
    Beach Conchal, Guanacaste
    Beach Coyote, Guanacaste
    Beach Dominical, Puntarenas
    Beach del Coco, Guanacaste
    Beach Flamingo, Guanacaste
    Beach Grande, Guanacaste
    Beach Hermosa, Guanacaste
    Beach Islita, Guanacaste
    BeachJacó, Puntarenas
    Beach Junquillal, Guanacaste
    Beach Langosta, Guanacaste
    Beach Malpaís, Puntarenas
    Beach Montezuma, Puntarenas
    Beach Nosara, Guanacast
    Beach Ocotal, Guanacaste
    Beach Ostional, Guanacaste
    Beach Potrero, Guanacaste
    Beach Sámara, Guanacaste
    Beach Tamarindo, Guanacaste
    Beach Tambor, Puntarenas
    Beach Cahuita, Limon
     Beach Puerto Viejo, Limon
    Beach Manzanillo, Limon
 Beach Tortuguero, Limon
Barra del Colorado, Limon