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Beaches in Playa Hermosa
PLAYA HERMOSA

Beaches in Playa Hermosa

Each beach in the Central Pacific has its own personality and purpose. Jacó is the long, accessible, action-oriented beach: consistent surf, walkable town access, and social energy. Playa Hermosa is wilder and more powerful, with championship surf breaks and sea turtle nesting. Herradura Bay offers the region's calmest swimming water, sheltered from big swells and ideal for families. All three have dark volcanic sand, warm water year-round, and west-facing orientations delivering spectacular Pacific sunsets.

Best Season

Year-round

Activity Type

outdoor family friendly water

Beaches in Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa is a long, straight, powerful beach best known for championship-level surf and olive ridley sea turtle nesting. The waves here are bigger, faster, and more hollow than Jacó. This is an intermediate-to-advanced surf beach, not a learn-to-swim destination. The beach itself is less developed, with palms backing the sand and fewer crowds even during peak season. During turtle nesting season (July-December), sections of the beach are roped off and monitored by conservation groups. The vibe is quieter and more nature-focused than Jacó's party energy. Early morning walks often reveal fresh turtle tracks from overnight nesting. Sunsets are unobstructed and cinematic.

Insider Tips

Local knowledge to make the most of your experience

1

All Central Pacific beaches have strong currents and riptides; even calm-looking water can have undertows. Swim parallel to shore if caught in a rip current, never fight directly back to beach. Lifeguards are rare outside of Jacó's central beach.

2

Dark volcanic sand gets scorching hot in midday sun. Bring sandals or water shoes, and stake out a palapa or shaded spot early. Mornings (before 11am) and late afternoons (after 3pm) are more comfortable for beach time.

3

Theft happens on Central Pacific beaches; don't leave valuables unattended while swimming. Bring only what you need, use hotel safes for passports and electronics, and keep an eye on your belongings or leave someone with the group's stuff.

Guides & Articles

In-depth articles to help you plan your beaches experience

Playa Hermosa Costa Rica: Things to Do Beyond Surfing
guides

Playa Hermosa Costa Rica: Things to Do Beyond Surfing

Sea turtles, scarlet macaws, crocodiles, horseback rides, and beachfront meals. Playa Hermosa has a lot going on for the non-surfer. Here's how to spe...

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The Best Beaches on Costa Rica's Central Pacific: An Honest Guide
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The Best Beaches on Costa Rica's Central Pacific: An Honest Guide

A practical guide to Central Pacific Costa Rica beaches: Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, Esterillos. Swimming safety, facilities, and access....

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Playa Hermosa Costa Rica: The Surfer's Guide to the Central Pacific's Best Wave
guides

Playa Hermosa Costa Rica: The Surfer's Guide to the Central Pacific's Best Wave

Playa Hermosa near Jacó: a World Surfing Reserve with powerful beach breaks. Conditions, access, and what to know before you go....

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Beaches in Playa Hermosa

Frequently Asked Questions

Which beach is best for swimming in the Central Pacific? +
Herradura Bay is the calmest swimming beach: a crescent-shaped bay sheltered from big Pacific swells, making it ideal for families with young kids, paddle boarding, and relaxed ocean swimming. The water is gentle year-round without battling surf. Jacó and Playa Hermosa have stronger currents and consistent waves better suited for surfing than casual swimming.
Can you swim at Jacó Beach? +
Yes, but with caution. Jacó has consistent surf (waist-to-chest-high waves most days), strong currents, and occasional riptides. The north end of Jacó Beach has gentler conditions better for swimming. If you're a confident ocean swimmer and understand rip current safety (swim parallel to shore if caught, never fight directly back), it's swimmable. Families with young kids should swim at Herradura Bay instead.
Why is the sand black in Costa Rica? +
The Central Pacific's dark gray-to-black sand is volcanic: formed from eroded lava rock and minerals from nearby volcanoes. Unlike Caribbean white sand (coral-based), volcanic sand absorbs heat and gets scorching hot in midday sun. Bring sandals or water shoes, and plan beach time for mornings (before 11am) or late afternoons (after 3pm) when the sand is cooler.
Are Costa Rica beaches public? +
Yes, all beaches in Costa Rica are public by law; no private beaches exist. Anyone can access any beach, though some require walking through resort property or navigating access roads. Los Sueños Resort has beach access through the property; Jacó and Playa Hermosa have multiple public entry points along the coast. Beach clubs and resorts can restrict amenity use (chairs, umbrellas, pools) to guests, but the sand and ocean are always public.
What time is sunset at the beach in Costa Rica? +
Costa Rica sits close to the equator, so sunset times vary only 30-40 minutes year-round. Expect sunset between 5:30-6:15pm depending on the month. The Central Pacific's west-facing beaches deliver spectacular Pacific sunsets viewed from beachfront bars; grab a seat around 5:45pm with a cold beer and watch the show.
Are there sharks in Costa Rica beaches? +
Yes, but shark attacks are extremely rare. Small reef sharks, nurse sharks, and occasional bull sharks inhabit Pacific waters, but they're not a practical concern for beachgoers. Statistically, riptides and strong currents pose far greater danger than sharks. Swim in designated areas, avoid murky water near river mouths, and don't swim at dawn/dusk when sharks feed most actively.
Can you bring alcohol to the beach in Costa Rica? +
Yes, public alcohol consumption is legal on Costa Rica beaches. Bring a cooler with beer or cocktails, stake out a palapa or shaded spot, and enjoy. Glass bottles are discouraged (bare feet and broken glass don't mix); cans or plastic are smarter. Clean up after yourself; littering laws are enforced, and locals take beach cleanliness seriously.
What should I bring to the beach in Costa Rica? +
Reef-safe sunscreen (required by law in protected areas), hat, sunglasses, sandals (volcanic sand gets hot), beach towel, water bottle, light cover-up, and cash for beachfront vendors. Don't bring valuables; theft happens on Central Pacific beaches. Use hotel safes for passports, expensive cameras, and electronics. Bring only what you need and keep an eye on your belongings.

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