Everyone has opinions about the best beaches in Costa Rica, but we wanted to hear it straight from the locals! We asked twelve Ticos (Costa Ricans) to share their favorite beach destinations across the country. From the surf towns of Guanacaste to the hidden gems of the Caribbean coast, their answers paint a colorful picture of why Costa Rica’s beaches are some of the most beloved in the world.
Alejandro Hernández, an architect from Alajuela who escapes to the coast every chance he gets, confidently said:
“Creo que diría que Avellanas es la más chuza porque tiene todos los servicios y amenidades relativamente cerca sin perder la naturaleza.”
English translation: “I think I would say Avellanas beach is the coolest because it has all the services and amenities close by without sacrificing the natural feel.”
And he’s absolutely right. Playa Avellanas, just south of Tamarindo in the Pinilla area, is still a bit of a secret spot. Rustic wooden beach bars spill out into the sand, and an Instagram-worthy boardwalk leads through the mangroves to the shore… it’s pretty dreamy!
Luis Antonio, a young professional from San José, and Glori G, a nature lover and health enthusiast both chose Playa Conchal:
Luis keeps it simple:
“Playa Conchal por la arena blanca.”
English translation: “Playa Conchal for its white sand.”
Glori get’s a little more detailed:
“Ufff! Conchal. Tiene toda la magia natural: arena blanca, mar turquesa y el contraste con la montaña verde… y además es súper accesible, uno puede estar relajado desconectado del mundo en la playa y de ahí estar en restaurantes o haciendo vida en la zona cerquita. Lo mejor de dos mundos.”
English translation: “Oh, Conchal! It has all the natural magic: white sand, turquoise sea, and the green mountain backdrop… and it’s super accessible. You can be relaxed, totally disconnected from the world on the beach, and then suddenly find yourself at restaurants or living life nearby. The best of both worlds!”
It’s not a surprising answer, Conchal is world-famous for its sparkling white sand (made of crushed shells) and the luxury resorts that line it just north of Tamarindo.
Fernando Pacheco, who grew up in the Central Valley, answers quickly and confidently:
“Cahuita,” he says simply.
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica had to make the list too! It’s a completely different vibe than the Pacific with much slower vibes, a more soulful feel, and full of color.
Isa Arce, a mom from the mountains outside of San Jose agrees:
“Cahuita (zona Caribe) por su arena blanca y arrecife colorido.”
English translation: “Cahuita, on the Caribbean side, because of its white sand and colorful reef.”
A third vote for the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica came in from Gloriana T:
“La mía es Playa Chiquita en Limón. Tiene pozas bonitas, sombra y en los mejores meses del Caribe el mar es turquesa y totalmente plano, una delicia 🩵.”
English translation: “Mine is Playa Chiquita in Limón. It has beautiful tide pools, shade, and during the best Caribbean months, the sea turns turquoise and perfectly calm — it’s pure delight.”
Cahuita National Park is one of the best spots for snorkeling in Costa Rica, with calm turquoise water and colorful coral reefs just below the surface.
Flor Quirós, who lives in the beautiful mountains of Poas, smiles when we ask her the question.
“Mi playa favorita es Playa Flamingo en Guanacaste por el color de la arena y porque es muy limpia.”
English translation: “My favorite beach is Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste for its beautiful sand and how clean it always is.”
You’ve probably seen this one in photos! Playa Flamingo is one of Guanacaste’s most iconic beaches, our favorite spot for golden hour, and sunset catamaran cruises.
Sergio A, a new dad from Santa Ana, who prefers quiet over buzzing beach towns, says:
“Coyote, porque es poco concurrida, amplia, y rica para caminar.”
English translation: “Coyote, because it’s uncrowded, wide, and perfect for walking.”
Playa Coyote is well off the radar, tucked away in a hard-to-reach area on the Nicoya Peninsula, perfect for the more adventurous traveler.
Sebastián Rojas, a lifelong beach lover and travel expert, takes a thoughtful pause before answering.
“Qué difícil… mi playa favorita era Santa Teresa por la arena, el mar, el acceso remoto, lo difícil que era llegar y lo poco habitada que estaba. Pero ahora es un lugar demasiado turístico, que ya no me gusta. Entonces creo que la siguiente más chuza debe ser como Playa Honda, de las playitas que conozco. O Carrillo, me encanta el cerca de esa playa: las palmeras, el grande, agua tranquila, muy bonita.”
English translation: “That’s a tough one… my favorite used to be Santa Teresa, for the sand, the sea, the remote access, and how uninhabited it used to be. But now it’s become too touristy, so I think the next best one might be Playa Honda, among the smaller beaches I know. Or Carrillo, I love everything about that beach: the palm trees, the spaciousness, the calm water, it’s just beautiful.”
Sebastián’s answer captures something very tico and deeply important, that bittersweet feeling about how Costa Rican beaches have changed over the past 10 years. For him, beauty isn’t just in the view, but in the feeling of discovery, of a place still untouched by crowd, and that’s something we stand behind.
Priscilla Rodríguez, a city girl who recently moved to the beach herself, tells us:
“La mía es San Juanillo en Guanacaste porque me parece como de fantasía, con ese cerro que se puede usar como mirador.”
English translation: “Mine is San Juanillo in Guanacaste because it feels like something out of a fantasy, with that hill you can climb and use as a lookout point.”
And she adds an honorable mention:
“Y también Ostional, que recibe cientos de tortugas todos los años 🐢.”
English translation: “And also Ostional, which welcomes hundreds of sea turtles every year.”
A little louder for the people in the back… San Juanillo Beach is criminally underrated! It’s one of the most picturesque beaches in Guanacaste. And nearby Ostional Beach is world-famous for its turtle nesting season, where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
Marcela A, who admits it’s hard to choose just one, laughs before narrowing it down:
“Uy sí, déjame pensar… A ver, jajaja. Langosta (Pinilla), Playa Blanca (Punta Leona), Playa Rajada… Podría ser así. No puedo escoger una, pero si tuviera que escoger una sería Langosta: por ubicación, es limpia, muy segura, apta para niños, tranquila.”
English translation: “Oh wow, let me think… hmm, haha. Langosta (Pinilla), Playa Blanca (Punta Leona), Playa Rajada… something like that. I can’t pick just one, but if I had to, it would be Langosta, because of the location. It’s clean, very safe, great for kids, and peaceful.”
Anastasia Lara wraps up the list with a local favorite:
“Penca, porque tiene arena blanca, agua clara y el mar es como una piscina.”
English translation: “Penca, because it has white sand, clear water, and the sea feels like a swimming pool.”
Playa Penca has been a local favorite for years, and somehow, it’s managed to avoid overdevelopment so far. We love to see it making the list!
There’s no wrong answer, and we love seeing how varied everyone’s picks were. So tell us, which one is your favorite?
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