Costa Rica's Beaches

Nestled between the shores of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica has a expansive coastline with an excellent choice of beaches, ranging from sheltered sandy bays to world renowned-waves.

The stylish Papagayo Peninsula offers a wide range of accommodation and is easily accessible by road from San José or from Liberia airport. Here you can find luxury hotels, excellent golf courses and the upmarket Marina Papagayo. A little further along the coast the lively surf town of Tamarindo boasts a great choice of restaurants and bars, whilst Nosara's sandy streets offer an altogether more laidback vibe.

As you continue south along the Nicoya Peninsula the terrain becomes increasing rugged with charming towns dotted along the coast. From hip Santa Teresa to the sleepy fishing hamlet of Malpais, visiting these towns feels a little bit like stepping back in time (in a good way!) with sandy streets sprinkled with beach bars and local restaurants. Small but perfectly formed, these relaxed hideaways boast gorgeous beaches, fabulous surf and embrace the Costa Rican spirit of Pura Vida!

Over on the east coast , colourful Puerto Viejo has a distinctly Caribbean feel. Alongside these beaches you will also find swaths of jungle, adventure activities and wildlife refuges, including important breeding grounds for several species of marine turtles. Whether you want to swim, surf, or simply relax and sip cocktails, Costa Rica has a perfect beach for everyone.

Trailfinders offers a wide range of Costa Rica beach holidays and our expert travel consultants are a mine of information about what to do here, often with first-hand travel experience. Whether you want to explore Costa Rica's beaches with your own private driver, embark on a fly drive, join a sociable small group tour, or are simply looking for advice on the best hotels for a relaxing beach holiday – they are the perfect people to ask.