Are Caribbean or Pacific beaches better in Costa Rica?

The Pacific beaches in Costa Rica are some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. With a much longer coastline than the Caribbean, the Pacific coast offers more of a variety of beautiful beaches. The Pacific coasts are the Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces.



People Also Ask

The Papagayo Peninsula — on Costa Rica's Pacific coast — is the best place to stay in Costa Rica if you're looking for an upscale resort experience.

MORE DETAILS

4. Safest Beaches in Costa Rica: Where Can You Swim? With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea pounding the other side, Costa Rica's beaches are famous for having big waves and fast currents. These are perfect for surfing, but not so much for gentle, safe swimming.

MORE DETAILS

Choosing between the two coasts is not easy. Both coasts are amazing and we especially like the Central and Southern Pacific Coast. The South Caribbean Coast is best for those looking for a bit of fun under the sun a bit off the beaten path. So, the answer really depends on various factors.

MORE DETAILS

With the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea pounding the other side, Costa Rica's beaches are famous for having big waves and fast currents. These are perfect for surfing, but not so much for gentle, safe swimming.

MORE DETAILS

Exploring the entire coast would make an excellent itinerary and take a good week or ideally two. If this is your first trip and you're wondering where to go in Costa Rica, the Caribbean coast would be a good intro to the lush ecosystem and wildlife Costa Rica is known for.

MORE DETAILS

Most Beautiful Places in Costa Rica
  • Rio Celeste Waterfalls, Tenorio Volcano National Park.
  • Corcovado National Park.
  • Pacuare River Rafting.
  • Arenal Volcano.
  • Cahuita National Park.
  • Punta Uva Beach.


MORE DETAILS

The Gulf of Papagayo has the most amount of white sand beaches in Costa Rica since the Gulf is made up of many little bays.

MORE DETAILS

Some of the safest, most family-friendly beaches are Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla, Playa Brasilito, Playa Tamarindo, among several others. Costa Rica in general is a safe country to visit, with a lot of family-friendly amenities and attractions.

MORE DETAILS

In the South Pacific – one of the rainiest places in Costa Rica – the dry season lasts just three months (January to March), and average annual rainfall is 5 meters (16.5 feet). The Caribbean coast, meanwhile, has no clearly defined dry season, and average annual rainfall is 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).

MORE DETAILS

The safest places to stay in Costa Rica are:
  • Drake Bay – a good family destination.
  • Tamarindo – great for an all-encompassing beach experience.
  • Puerto Viejo – a romantic destination.
  • Liberia – near the wonderful Nicoya peninsula.
  • Jaco* – rich in expat communities (see notes)


MORE DETAILS