Costa Rica occupies a privileged place in the heart of Central America, located between two coastlines washed by two different oceans, Atlantic and Pacific, separated by just three hours by car or 45 minutes by plane. Furthermore Costa Rica is a country with a tropical climate and a strong commitment to the preservation of the natural environment. All these reasons guarantee Costa Rica beaches to stay among the best and most popular in the world. Whether travelers want, surf waves, climb rocky shores or just lounge in the sun, the 1,800 km of coastline of Costa Rica undertake the desires of any person.
Both coasts have great beaches but each one of the two coasts, the Pacific and the Atlantic or Caribbean, have its own features that’s makes the offer of beaches in Costa Rica very varied.
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Costa Rica Beaches on Pacific Coast
Despite the great reputation that has the Caribbean coast for its fun and thanks to the always so bright sun, the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is much more popular among travelers, specifically for those who like surfing. The most popular place in Costa Rica to practice surf is Nicoya Peninsula.
Nature lovers can find a wide variety of nature paths with lush vegetation and abundant fauna if they head to the beaches of Puntarenas, especially in the Corcovado National Park and the Osa Peninsula. The nearby beaches of Bahia Drake are also very popular for sports fishing where many large and unique species can be spotted there.
Costa Rica Beaches on Caribbean Coast
Possibly less popular than its counterpart Pacific, and surely less exploited in a touristic way, the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has to offer a huge variety of beautiful beaches waiting to be explored. Adventurous travelers who like to explore, will find incredible coasts in the Tortuguero National Park and lucky vacationers might even spot sea turtles that come to the site. If you are looking for a more touristic place, travelers can stop to Puerto Viejo, a beautiful town with majestic beaches, or the city of Limon, city with the most important marina in the region. There you’ll find a very relaxed attitude to life (typical of the Caribbean), so you can take a very good rest here. The southern part of the Caribbean coast is where is located the Animal Shelter Gandoca Manzanillo, where are some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
Apart of the classification in Pacific and Carribean coast, the beaches in Costa Rica can be divided according to the main activity you can have there: beaches for surfing, beaches for snorkeling and beach for sunbathing and relaxing.
Beaches for sunbathing and relaxing in Costa Rica
If you prefer to enjoy the warm Caribbean waters and the sun of Costa Rica, you should head to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in the province of Limón. This charming fishing village offers visitors a glimpse into the relaxed lifestyle for which Costa Rica is famous all over the world, and coastal waters are calm and warm throughout the year. Uvita is another great place to take a bath. Located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this quiet town is only 15 minutes south of Dominical, and has stunning palm-fringed beaches and crystalline waters. Here, if you are lucky enough, you will have the opportunity to see whales swimming near the shore, as the area is often frequented by humpback whales.
Beaches for Surfing in Costa Rica
Surely the best beaches in costa rica for surfing are located in the Pacific Coast, but you can find some good beaches for surfing also in the Caribbean Coast.
Beaches for Snorkeling in Costa Rica
There is no better way to discover Costa Rica to embark on an exciting underwater adventure. Diving or snorkelling in a spectacular seascape is the best way to explore the country. The underwater world in Costa Rica is often as beautiful as the lush jungles of the mainland. Manzanillo Beach on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, is considered one of the best places to go scuba diving in the country. Offering crystal clear most of the year, you can see the amazing coral reefs, as well as you can observe the stunning marine life including manta rays and moray eels and so you can discover a new side of Costa Rica. Other great places to go diving include Limon Cahuita National Park, Cano Island near Corcovado National Park and the Bat Islands off the coast of Guanacaste.
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