Costa Rican Beaches
Donde la jungla se encuentra con el mar.
It’s rare to find beaches as biodiverse as those in Costa Rica. On the Nicoya Peninsula, morning surf sessions might be interrupted by howler monkeys echoing from the trees, while scarlet macaws flash overhead in bursts of color. The beaches of Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Nosara are beloved by surfers and sunseekers alike, but just steps from the sand lie tangled trails that reveal sloths, coatis, and toucans. This is the country’s Pacific side—sun-drenched and full of barefoot luxury.
To the east, the vibe shifts entirely. The Caribbean coast hums with Afro-Caribbean influences and a slower rhythm. In places like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, reggae floats on the breeze, and the sea is warm and inviting. Coral reefs brim with life, perfect for snorkeling or a lazy float, and nearby rainforests teem with birdsong. Leatherback sea turtles nest in these sands from March to July, an unforgettable sight for any traveler lucky enough to witness it.
For those seeking privacy and untouched nature, the Osa Peninsula’s coastal stretches—especially near Drake Bay and Carate—feel like the edge of the world. Here, the beaches are raw, wild, and often empty but for the tracks of a jaguar or the spiraling dive of a frigatebird. Just inland, Corcovado National Park shelters some of the most pristine lowland rainforest left on Earth.
Whether you’re sipping coffee while watching spider monkeys swing by your hammock or soaking in the colors of a Pacific sunset after a day of surfing, Costa Rica’s beaches offer far more than relaxation. They’re where nature comes to play, right alongside you.
