Costa Rica is the land of jungles, Ocean, volcanoes, and of course, beautiful beaches. The beaches in Costa Rica are diverse, and also offer different experiences for the travelers. People come here to swim, surf, soak up the sun, or simply enjoy the laid-back beach towns sprinkled along the coasts.
The Best Beaches in Costa Rica to Swim
Here are some best beaches in Costa Rica to swim:
Playa Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo is one of the best in Costa Rica for those who want to swim and surf. A variety of breaks means you are able to start small and work your way up as your skills increase. If you are not a surfer, you are able to watch the show from the golden-sand beach. Surfing is the main pursuit here, but swimming is also the best choice if you are a strong swimmer and want to adventure in the waves. For your information, the town of Tamarindo is a laid-back place with a fun vibe. You are able to spend a bit of time wandering the streets and checking out the assortment of the restaurants and shops.
Playa Conchal
Near Tamarindo you are going to find Playa Conchal. This beautiful beach is set in a large bay lapped by clear waters. The waves at Playa Conchal tend to be smaller, so this is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for swimming. Although it is a popular beach, but it rarely feels overcrowded. This beach is unique in that it is composed of small crushed sea shells that makes it a slightly more difficult beach for walking. We suggest you bring several good sandals. Since the beach is composed of shells and not sand, the water is very clear and makes this a great spot for snorkeling.
For your information, access to the Playa Conchal beach is down an 800-meter walkway from the parking lot at the small town of Brasilito Beach. The Westin Resort and Spa Playa Conchal is an all-inclusive property, situated on Playa Conchal beach.
Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is located just north of Playa Conchal. Unlike lots of beaches in Costa Rica which have dark brown or almost black sand, Playa Flamingo beach is an almost white sand beach. The name of the beach comes from the fact that the white sand, seen in the right light, it has a pinkish hue. The waves on this beach are manageable. Of course, the beach is a good spot for swimming. It is rarely crowded, and does not have a lot of developments on its seashore. Instead, you are going to discover a few luxury homes and seaside trees to give a respite from the strong Costa Rican sun.
Playa Carrillo
Playa Carrillo Beach, on the Nicoya Peninsula, is an ideal beach for those who are looking for a wide beach, calm waves and warm water. Probably, it is less famous than nearby Samara Beach (Playa Samara), this beach is a hidden gem. The Playa Carrillo beach is quiet and free from music blasting from local establishments. In fact, there is no development on the beach at all. You are going to discover sand, water and palm trees. This is a really ideal beach for families. Also, there is a ban on the horses on the beach. Aside from that, access and parking are very easy. You only need to haul your gear a short distance from the road behind the beach.
Playa Punta Uva
Calm clear waters with small waves are what you are going to find on Costa Rica’s Caribbean side. Playa Punta Uva is a great example of this. You have to know that Punta Uva is a narrow strip of sand backed only by palm trees. There are no major resort developments run along the stretch of beach. The ocean is extremely warm. Please keep an eye up in the trees to view sloths that live near the beach.
Just a short walk from the beach, you are going to see the small town of Punta Uva. There you are going to find several restaurants and accommodation options. The accommodation here tends to be basic with several exceptions. Of course, Playa Punta Uva is the best beach in Costa Rica for swimming because it has small waves. Another beach with larger waves, Playa Arrecife, is situated just around the headland. Warning: The weather on this side of Costa Rica may be very humid and rainy at times.
Santa Teresa Beach
On the Nicoya Peninsula, near Montezuma, you are going to discover the nice beach of Santa Teresa. Actually, this beach is a popular surfing destination. But it is also ideal for swimming, walking and soaking up the sun. When low tide you are able to see tidal pools filled with the colorful fish and sea anemones. Also, this beach is also a great place to watch the sunset. If that is not enough beach for you, keep walking and you are going to come to Playa Cobano to the north, and Playa Carmen to the south. The towns of Santa Teresa, Cobano, and Carmen have accommodation available and a good selection of restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world.
Whale Tail Beach (Uvita)
Probably, this is the beach which you have seen on social media, a perfect peninsula leading out to a flat top with two curving beaches on the two sides. Whale Tail or Uvita Beach is situated in the Marino Ballena National Park in the southern part of Costa Rica. Two beaches extend out around two-miles to the tail portion. That is why the beach is called Whale Tail. Small waves make it an ideal spot for swimming and perfect for families with the children. Set your visit, so you are here at low tide and you will be able to walk right to the end. Accommodation choices nearby range from basic to luxurious. If you are looking for a high-end choice, one of the best places to stay is Rancho Pacifico.
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On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…
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