Best Costa Rica Beaches
© Caribeez.com
Puerto Viejo Beach; ©Costa Rica Tourism Board
The clear water is warm and sparkles under the hot sun on this timeless coast.
Adventurous and open-minded travelers from colder places let the pepper-colored sand grains soothe their feet as they stroll by couples investigating local arts and craft shops on a beachside street and a group of laughing twenty-somethings who are dripping wet and carrying snorkeling gear.
A few surfers can also be seen testing the waves that break on the reef at the end of the beach.
By the late afternoon, squawking parrots fly over and toucans yelp from the tops of rain forest trees to remind us that this is the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica; a place where Caribbean beaches mix with wild, tropical jungles.
Best Costa Rica Beaches
Surfing Destinations
Salsa Brava at Puerto Viejo
Often called the most powerful wave in Costa Rica, this Hawaiian style wave comes out of deep water to break over a shallow reef. For experts only!Playa Cocles
The breaks are close to the beach, can be left or right and are nice and consistent. A good choice for beginning and intermediate surfers and for the experts who need a break from the “Salsa Brava”. Surfers need to be wary of currents in this area.Black Beach
The consistent waves that break near this scenic beach are a great way to start the day because they are best during the early morning.Calmer waters and fewer swamps compared to the beaches north of Limon make the southeastern region of Costa Rica its Caribbean destination hotspot.
The beaches of Cahuita National Park are a veritable tropical paradise with their white sand, warm water, coral reefs, and rain forests.
Ideal for beach-combing and quiet walks, Black Beach is a long, mostly deserted stretch of sand that links Cahuita with Puerto Viejo.
In and near Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles is a great spot to watch surfers in action, Playa Chiquita is a beautiful, hidden stretch of sand, and the calm, warm waters of Punta Uva beach are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Other Things to Do
In addition to the fantastic tropical scenery and wildlife, Costa Rica is also a great place to visit because it has good tourism infrastructure.
Folks who vacation at beaches in southern Costa Rica will find a variety of comfortable hotels to choose from that cater to a range of budgets.
There are also several experienced, English-speaking tour guides, and excellent restaurants.
There are also a number of tours that can be taken to become acquainted with the culture and natural wonders of this biodiverse region.
Snorkeling and SCUBA diving coral reefs, surfing (see sidebar), hiking to hidden rain forest waterfalls, visits to medicinal gardens, canopy zip-lining, and guided walks in national parks and reserves are some of the reasons why many of the tourists that visit Costa Rica include this area on their itineraries.
Less adventurous folks also visit the Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica to relax beneath the shade of tall tropical trees and rejuvenate with spa treatments and yoga sessions.
Whether looking for a vacation in Costa Rica with or without adventure, both can be had on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast.
