Costa Rica is known for its best holiday beaches. One of the primary reasons that people travel to Costa Rica is because of the beaches. Costa Rica's best beaches include some great off-the-beaten-path spots and although there are many lovely beaches, the beaches listed below are highlighted because they stand out above the rest.

• Playa Conchal is a beach north of Tamarindo and is regarded as Costa Rica's most beautiful beach.
• Playa Grande is also a beach north of Tamarindo and is an undeveloped wilderness beach where leatherback turtles come to lay eggs. There's a powerful surf at this beach.
• Playa Tamarindo is a surfer's dream destination with eight spots to catch a wave and is also a terrific beach for sunning and relaxing.
• Playa Nosara is a great beach which is composed of two beaches, playas Guiones and Pelada, where vacationers can surf and swim. These long attractive beaches are the reason to come here and there are good quality accommodation and services available.
• Playa Samara is a white-sand beach and is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. It is located about an hour south of Nosara.
• Playa Carrillo is also another near-perfect white-sand beach protected by an offshore reef. This beach begins about 4-km (2.5 mi) southeast of Samara. The town is on the hillside above the beach.
• Montezuma offers great wide sandy beaches with crashing surf and a laid-back atmosphere. On the north of town, there's a sandy beach where a scenic footpath leads to a waterfall. The waterfall spills right into a pool on the beach. The path is 6-km (4.5 mi) long. Be sure to bring water. Montezuma has strong currents but Playa Grande is safe for swimming.
• Punta Uva on the Caribbean is an incredibly beautiful beach with palm trees that line the beach. Water temperatures are nearly perfect at 27°C (80°F). There are numerous affordable accommodations on the road to Punta Uva.
• Playa Uvita beach is located in the Marine Whale National Park. Not only is it a great place to kick back and relax, visitors can watch for dolphins and whales. Tours are available and accommodations are found right at the entry point to the park.
• Manuel Antonio National Park has three long powdery white-sand beaches backed by jungle. There are monkeys, birds, and sloths nestled near the water's edge. This is a fabulous spot to sunbathe or snorkel and then walk through the park. To maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities, hire a guide. It's worth it!

Popular travel destinations in Costa Rica

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Travel to Costa Rica

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