6 Beaches In Costa Rica You Need To Add To Your Bucket List

Costa Rica is a small Spanish speaking nation in Central America with a territory of 51.100km2 and more than twenty beautiful beaches to visit. In between Panamá and Nicaragua, this democratic country also has about 6% of the world’s biodiversity inside its seven provinces.

Costa Rica also offers tourist attractions that go from beaches to volcanoes, mountains or jungles. Summarizing is a country where you can find it all! But we are going to focus on the paradisiac beaches in this small nation which you should add to your bucket list as soon as possible. Just imagine that eight of the tenth beaches in Central America are in Costa Rica!

1. Playa Conchal

Located to the province of Guanacaste only 45 minutes away from the second airport in Costa Rica Airport Daniel Oduber in Liberia we have Playa Conchal. This beach has a particularity because its ground it’s actually covered in small seashells fragments from which its name comes from, in Spanish ‘concha’ means ‘seashell’.

This beach is ideal if you want to make snorkel or camp around it. It’s also located near national parks and biological reservoirs so you can see lots of fauna and flora.

2. Playa Bahía de los Piratas

A pinkish sand beach whose real name is actually Playa Real but has been popularized as ‘Bahia de los Piratas’ (Pirate Bay) because there’s a legend that says that Captain Morgan used to hide there. This beach is approximately two kilometers long with turquoise waters ideal to take a bath, swim or surf.

The sunsets are worth the wait at Bahía de los Piratas and the beach is actually really clean, and it usually has few visitors which makes it more attractive. This beach is located in Guanacaste near the town of Matapalo.

3. Playa Manuel Antonio

With a blue flag recognition, Playa Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most visited beach every year. Located around 7 km from Quepos this white sand beach is a relaxing and beautiful place to take a vacay. You can camp, swim or snorkel in its blue water.

One of its biggest attractions is the presence of monkeys around the beach, but be aware, they might try to steal your food!

4. Playa Biesanz

Playa Biesanz is a great place to go if you are always looking for an adventure because to get there you need to walk around 10 minutes in a not so easy pathway, but the view is worth it. Full of wildlife you can spot monkeys, chipmunks, sloths and a variety of birds and insects.

With light green waters and white sand Playa Biesanz is a great place to practice snorkeling. Consider the possibility of hiring transportation from your hotel to the beach if you decide to visit this one.

5. Playas del Coco

Located in Guanacaste province specifically near the Golfo de Papagayo, Playas del Coco is a very familiar beach. A beach with dark sand where you can practice a wide range of activities including ski, kayaking, fishing or boat trips.

If you are looking more for the combo sunbathing at the beach in the morning and partying late at night, Playas del Coco is definitely your place to go. The sunsets at this beach are a must you need to enjoy and be prepared because you are going to be awakened by howler monkeys instead of birds every morning!

6. Playa Mal País

Mal País is a beach located in Nicoya on the Pacific part of the country. It’s an ideal place to go if you are a surf lover because of the big waves it usually has.

The beach is surrounded by nature and you can practice activities such as canopy tours or horse riding to explore the beach. If you are lucky enough you might even get to see a whale or dolphin in Mal País marine sanctuary!