Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
The Pacific coast runs more than 1,000 kilometres. Every 100 of them feels like a different country — surf towns, fishing villages, mangroves, and national parks that back directly onto the ocean.
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas de Montezuma
Three-tier waterfall at the end of a jungle trail twenty minutes from the village
Montezuma
🏊 Swimming
Playa Hermosa (Jaco)
One of the most famous surf beaches and beautiful stretches of coastline on the Central Pacific
Jacó
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Escondida
A small hidden beach near Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Quepos
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Biesanz
One of the calmest and most scenic beach
Quepos
💎 Hidden Gems
Montezuma Beach
A vibrant beach town on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
Montezuma
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Carrizal
Largely undeveloped and is primarily known by locals, anglers, birdwatchers, and travelers exploring the less-visited coastline north of Jacó
Garabito
🔭 Viewpoints
Mirador de Jacó
One of the most famous viewpoints on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast
Garabito
💎 Hidden Gems
Reserva Natural Los Campesinos
A community-run rainforest sanctuary filled with waterfalls, hanging bridges, and abundant wildlife.
Quepos
🦜 Wildlife
Matapalo
Remote Osa beach — macaw flyovers at dawn, surf at the cape, jungle to the waterline
Matapalo
🌅 Sunset Spots
Playa Hermosa (Santa Teresa)
One of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches near Santa Teresa on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula
Santa Teresa
🔭 Viewpoints
Isla Olocuita
A small, uninhabited tropical island located off the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica
Quepos
🏊 Swimming
Playa Espadilla Sur
One of the most beautiful beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park
Quepos
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Gemelas
"Hidden paradise" surrounded by jungle-covered cliffs and accessed via a peaceful forest trail
Quepos
🌅 Sunset Spots
Playa Santa Teresa
Bohemian surf village with the finest sunsets on the Nicoya Peninsula
Cobano
🥾 Hiking
Dominical
Jungle coast surf town — strong rip currents, one main street, gateway to the southern Pacific
Dominical
🦜 Wildlife
Uvita
The whale-tail sandbar at low tide — humpback nursery from August to October
Uvita
🦜 Wildlife
Golfo Dulce
One of Costa Rica's most spectacular natural regions and one of only a few tropical fjord-like gulfs in the world
Golfito
🏊 Swimming
Playa Guiones
An iconic beach known for world-class surfing, wildlife conservation, wellness culture, and natural beauty.
Nicoya
🏊 Swimming
Playa Avellanas
Known for its long stretches of sand, exceptional surfing, long undeveloped beaches, beautiful sunsets, wildlife, and a relaxed local atmosphere.
Santa Cruz
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Bejuco
A quiet beach featuring open coastline, nearby turtle-nesting sites, and authentic rural character
Nandayure
💎 Hidden Gems
Pavones
The second longest left-hand wave in the world — 750 metres, no banks, two hours of dirt road
Pavones
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Negra
One of Costa Rica's most famous surf beaches
Los Pargos
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Tamales
Experience protected coastline, tropical dry forest, and a sense of isolation
La Cruz
🏊 Swimming
Playa Nosara
A long, wild stretch of coastline featuring abundant wildlife, peaceful atmosphere, nature, and some of Guanacaste's most beautiful coastal scenery.
Nicoya