
Costa Rica is blessed with beautiful beaches
Each of Costa Rica's beaches has its own charm and attractions. There's one out there with your name on it!
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
© PAtkinson,Shutterstock

Costa Rica is one of the very few places left on Earth where you can find rainforest coming right down to the coastline.


Pacific or Caribbean coast?
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is longer than its Caribbean Coast and it has far more choice when it comes to both style of beach and standard of hotel. By far the greatest number of visitors stay on the Pacific coast, choosing from a wide range of boutique hotels and larger resorts.
The Caribbean vibe is more laid-back than Pacific (and that’s saying something). In the north, Tortuguero is not a beach resort unless you're a turtle (they come seasonally to nest here). Tortuguero is however a fabulous wildlife spot. Down south near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, there is a fabulous mix of cultures: indigenous, Costa Rican (Tico) and Afro-Caribbean, making for a wonderful melting pot of personality, colour and delicious fusion cuisine.
Where to go
The first question is do you choose the Pacific or Caribbean coast? Then you need to decide what you would like to do on the beach: swim, snorkel, dive, surf … Each beach is different and in turn lends itself to different activities. There are some great hidden gems if you are looking for peace and quiet, and with some you can also include seeing wildlife.
We recommend talking to our specialists for more detailed advice.
When to go
September and October will see the Pacific coast at its wettest (the opposite to the Caribbean coast) and the driest months tend to be December to April. The drier months for the Caribbean are February, March, September and October, but it could rain any time.
Check out our guide to when to go to Costa Rica, or call us for a chat.