Central Pacific Beaches near San Jose, Costa Rica

Puntarenas. Located 110km west of San Jose, Puntarenas is a coastal fishing town and a point of transit for travelers on their way to the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. Enjoy a walk down the beachside boardwalk while waiting for the ferry to Playa Naranjo or Paquera, or stop at an open waterfront cafe.

Playa Doña Ana. Popular with locals on the weekends, Playa Doña Ana offers beachside picnic benches and plenty of almond trees offering shade from the heat. You can drive and park under the trees near the picnic tables.

Punta Leona. A long stretch of white-sand beach along the Central Pacific Coast, Punta Leona is a tranquil sand beach that is popular with locals. Part of a wildlife refuge that protects many endangered bird and mammal species, Punta Leona has several restaurants that front the beautiful beach.  [Top]

Playa Herradura. A local favorite just north of Jaco, Playa Herradura is a horseshoe-shaped beach with grey sand and calm waters for swimming, surfing and fishing. Dotted with seafood restaurants, Herradura is home to Los Suenos Marina, a full-service port packed with fishing charter boats that ply the Pacific for big game fish, including billfish, marlin, mahi mahi and tuna. The beach is a perfect jumping off point for scuba dive and snorkeling trips to nearby reefs and islands.

Jaco. Just 2 hours from San Jose, Jaco is a popular beach for surfers and vacationers. The 3 km sandy beach is peppered with smooth pebbles. Surfers enjoy its year-round beach breaks and accessibility top surf spots like Escondido and Boca Barranca. “Roca Loca”, a tricky rock bottom wave, is located at the southern tip of Jaco just beyond the cliff from Costanera Highway. Crazy Rock is a wicked break for experienced surfers, and strong currents and shallow rocks make for a challenging ride. After a long day in the sun, unwind with a cocktail in one of the beachfront cafes and bars.

Playa Hermosa. Playa Hermosa is a beach destination of unrivaled beauty with broad grey-sand beach contrasted by pounding white surf. Boasting one of the biggest beach breaks on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, this beach it is a hot spot for experienced surfers from around the world, with seven distinct surf points along its 10-kilometer shore with consistent waves and an annual international surf contest. The beach is part of a wildlife refuge that protects nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles.  [Top]

Playa Esterillos. The deserted beaches of Playas Esterillos, 22 km south of Jaco, are worth exploring. Esterillos Este, Centro and Oeste offer long stretches of palm-fringed coastline, sand beaches and beach breaks with long rides. The waves along Esterillos Centro and Este are strong beach breaks, and Esterillos Oeste has a beach break that is especially fun during a big swell. Swimmers should stick closer to the northern end of Esterillos Oeste, where a calm tidal pool provides shelter from dangerous riptides. These peaceful villages have a few cafes and vacation rentals, but are less visited by tourists.

Playa Bejuco. Playa Bejuco is a wonderful beach to relax and unwind. Forget about shopping or nightlife, Bejuco offers raw, untouched beauty where travelers can walk miles of stunning beach without seeing other people. With strong riptides that keep swimmers at bay and consistent beach breaks, Bejuco is a top surf spot with the local surf scene. Bejuco village has a few hotels with restaurants, a mini-supermarket and a small soda that serves affordable and tasty local cuisine.

Quepos. While there is water and sand in the port town of Quepos, the beach is more popular for sport fishing than surfing or swimming. Head over the mountain to the beautiful beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park  [Top]

Manuel Antonio. Discover Costa Rica's most beautiful and pristine beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park. Bordered by the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean, the park’s white sand beaches and tropical shore are ideal for swimming and wildlife viewing.

Playa Matapalo. This tiny beach between Quepos and Dominical is off the beaten path and loved by surfers. Two river mouth breaks and consistent waves make this a favorite spot for experienced wave riders. Swimmers must beware the strong riptides.  [Top]