Besides all the beautiful natural parks, Costa Rica also has an awesome coastline with many paradisiacal beaches. You will find these on the Caribbean Sea, the east side and on the Pacific Ocean, the west side of Costa Rica. The beaches of Costa Rica are fairly different from each other, so you'll soon find your favorite. Do you choose a paradise-like white sand beach or a rough beach bay with volcanic black sand? And do you choose a busy coastal town with many surfers and beach bars or an unspoiled beach with luxury resorts? We made a comparisation for you with the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica.

In the Northwest Coast of Costa Rica you will find the Guanacaste beaches

The area of Guanacaste, located in northwestern Costa Rica, has a series of beautiful beaches. All of these beaches have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the beach type you are. For example, Playa del Coco and Playa Tamarindo are very lively and now have a reputation as a real "party town. 

In contrast, you'll find pristine beaches at Playa Flamingo, Playa Hermosa and Playa Samara. Here you will often find beautiful resorts where you can completely relax. These beaches are less suitable for young backpackers, but very suitable for couples and the 25+ traveler. Finally, Playa Conchal has beautiful azure water and a white sandy beach and is in our opinion a real paradise. Read more about the beaches in the Guanacaste region here.

#1 populair beach in Guanacaste is maybe Playa Tamarindo 

Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a popular vacation spot known for its beaches, crystal clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets. Visitors to Tamarindo can engage in a wide range of activities such as surfing, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, boogie boarding, turtle watching, horseback riding, sport fishing, scuba diving, golfing, and ATV tours.

The area is also a haven for eco-tourism, with the nearby Diria National Wildlife Refuge and Las Baulas Marine National Park offering opportunities to witness the nesting and breeding of leatherback turtles. The town of Tamarindo itself caters to families, offering a range of accommodations for all budgets, from luxurious beach-front hotels to budget-friendly hostels. Its multicultural community adds to the charm of the place, making it an ideal location to relax, have fun and make lasting memories.

Playa Conchal

Playa Conchal is without a doubt one of the most unusual beaches along the coast. A stunning azure sea meets a dazzling white beach. The beach's name comes from the billions of little smashed conchas (shells) that make up the whole beach. This beach, which is a short distance between Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo, is our absolute favorite. On weekends, there are a lot of people here, but during the week, you may discover a fairly calm beach.

Playa Conchal has a variety of activities to offer 

The water in Playa Conchal is very clean, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkel masks, jet skis, and kayaks are all accessible right on the beach. Beach chairs and umbrellas may be rented as well. Coconuts, beer, and snacks are frequently available from vendors.

Playa Flamingo

The 1.7-kilometer-long idyllic beach of Flamingo Beach extends out into the Pacific Ocean. This sun and beach paradise is located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica's sunniest region. The little hamlet boasts hundreds of restaurants, pubs, and stores within walking distance of the hotels. 

The peace and quiet, mixed with the magnificent beach and delicious food, has made this many people's personal heaven. You may also do a number of excursions from here; practically all of our excursions are listed on our website, and there are many more. Some of the top activities in Flamingo include sunset sailing, riverboat rides to see animals, and fishing trips. 

Nightlife and shopping 

Tamarindo, the Lad's major tourist resort, is about 30 minutes south if you want to go shopping or have a greater selection of restaurants, clubs, and entertainment. In the middle lies the famed Playa Grande surf beach, which you may visit if you wish to surf. Playa Conchal, one of the country's most stunning beaches, is also only 15 minutes away from Flamingo. A day trip here to swim, bike the beach, or snorkel is definitely worth it. Tamarindo beach

Playa del Coco

The historic fishing community of Playas del Coco is located in the Guanacaste area of northwest Costa Rica. Guancanaste is the region of Costa Rica with the greatest sunlight hours and is famed for its beautiful white sand beaches on the coast. The Gulf of Papagayo is home to Playa del Coco. This bay is well-known for its colorful underwater environment, and it is now one of Costa Rica's most popular diving spots. 

Due to its easy accessibility, the old fishing community of Playa del Coco has become one of the most popular resorts in the Guancanaste region. In addition to hotels and restaurants, there are now a number of discotheques. It is not a location to relax, since the surrounding resorts on the beaches of Hermosa, Ocotal, and Panamá are more suited for that purpose. These beaches are likewise far superior to those at Playa del Coco. Despite the fact that the beach in front of the hotel is less white, Playa del Coco is a great and especially cost-effective base for divers who wish to travel into town in the evening. The resorts in the area are far more expensive, and they are frequently located in distant locations.

PLaya Hermosa (Guanacaste)

Guanacaste's Playa Hermosa is situated in the center of three stunning bays on Costa Rica's west coast. Hermosa is a Spanish word that meaning "beautiful," and it's an appropriate term for the magnificent beach and tropical environment. The two-kilometer-long grey sand beach has a mountain at either end, and the town is located along the beach, with plenty of stores, restaurants, and pubs. The sea on the beach and the mood in town are both peaceful, and the town becomes calmer as you travel south.

The major pastime in town is snorkeling, and the rocks north of the main beach are full of gorgeous fish and clear water - Napoleon fish, angel fish, and dazzling yellow butterfly fish can all be seen right in the shallows. Of course, you may also go diving, fishing, pedaling, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, pedaling, or catamaraning on the sea. There's so much to do! There are also lots of land excursions, with mangroves and three national parks offering stunning scenery and abundant species. While you're here, why not go on a horseback ride?

Samara Beach 

The white sand beach is long and wide. The highlight of Samara is Playa Samara. This Costa Rican beach town is no longer a hidden gem, but it isn't yet overrun with high-rise hotels and fast-food joints. During your Costa Rica holiday, it is one of the most genuine beach communities.

Despite the fact that tourism employs a big portion of the population, Samara appears to be real and tranquil. There is usually a calm area on the five-kilometer-long Playa Samara, while the isolated beaches of Playa Barrigona and Playa Buenavista are occasionally deserted.

On the Nicoya Peninsula, Samara is a small community with only one main street and a few side streets. The majority of the hotels, boutiques, and restaurants are located along this main boulevard. The beach and the beautiful blue, rippling seas of the Pacific Ocean beckon at the end of the drive. 
Hundreds of palm trees flank the beach, providing shade on an otherwise sunny day. A coral reef may be found not far from the coast. Dive or snorkel around the colorful underwater environment by jumping into the water.

Playa Samara is a vast white sand beach that is considered one of Costa Rica's safest beaches. The beach is great for starting surfers and vacationing families since the water is shallow and the waves are moderate.

Santa Teresa beach

Some distance south of Guanacaste you will find the Nicoya peninsula. Nicoya is a popular beach destination for surfers and yoga freaks. Santa Teresa beach and Malpais beach are by far the favorite and relatively still a little unknown. However, that doesn't mean it's quiet, but most tours never actually pass by these beaches. The soft sand of Santa Teresa beach is ideal for a beach vacation and Malpais beach, located on the southern tip of Nicoya, is a very famous surf spot. Nearby Montezuma is also a favorite for backpackers. Check out our favorite accommodations in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais here.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

The beaches in and surrounding the national park are small islands of beauty. Consider a beach with smooth sand, lush greenery, and turquoise seas. Playa Manuel Antonio is located in a lovely tiny harbor and is ideal for swimming due to its level beach. Playa Espadilla, which is immediately outside the park, is a popular surfing area.

The waves are significantly stronger here than on other beaches, and the northern end of the beach in particular is a favorite spot for navigating the waves. Those interested in learning more about the amazing underwater life should visit Playa Biesanz. This beach is located southwest of Manuel Antonio Village and is home to a plethora of tropical fish and brilliant coral.

Playa Uvita Costa Rica

Another hour's drive further south of Manuel Antonio is Playa Uvita. The southwest of Costa Rica has plenty of beautiful beaches, where Playa Uvita is one of the most beautiful beaches with fantastic views. In addition, Playa Uvita is also a real surfing hotspot and also has a nice local village atmosphere. Playa Uvita is a relatively quiet beach with not too many tourists. In terms of accommodations, you will find two beautiful villas in the area in addition to cheaper guesthouses.

Zapotal beach in Costa Rica

Escape to the secluded and picturesque Zapotal Beach in Costa Rica's Guanacaste province. This remote light gray sand beach offers calm waters, perfect for a relaxing vacation away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Enjoy a variety of water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the clear shallow waters. Take a boat tour to explore the nearby islands or fish on the banks of Playa Zapotal.

Easily accessible via Highway 21, which connects Liberia to Playa Hermosa and Santa Cruz, the beach is the perfect place to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica and indulge in traditional local dishes at the nearby restaurant. Make Zapotal Beach your next vacation destination and discover the hidden gems Costa Rica has to offer.