Complete Guide to Playa Hermosa
Everything you need to know before visiting Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
About Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa (not to be confused with its Guanacaste namesake) stretches south of Jacó as a darker, wilder, less developed alternative. The beach itself is a long, straight stretch of volcanic black sand backed by palms and beachfront hotels that lean more surf lodge than resort. The waves here are bigger, more powerful, and more consistent than Jacó; Playa Hermosa hosts national and international surf competitions and draws advanced surfers chasing barrels and long rights. But it's also a critical nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles, with guided nighttime turtle watching tours during nesting season (July-December).
The town has the laid-back energy of a surf community that hasn't fully gentrified. You'll find yoga studios, smoothie cafes, beachfront breakfast spots, and enough good restaurants to keep you fed for a week, but nothing approaching Jacó's density or noise. This is where surfers, digital nomads, families seeking quieter surroundings, and travelers who want wildlife encounters alongside beach days tend to settle. The Costanera Sur highway runs parallel to the beach, giving easy access to Jacó (10 minutes north) and opening up the southern coast toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
Playa Hermosa works for travelers who want surf, nature, and space to breathe. It's not as social or infrastructure-heavy as Jacó, and it lacks the resort amenities of Los Sueños. What you get instead: better waves, fewer crowds, sea turtles nesting outside your window, and the sense that you've found a version of Costa Rica that hasn't been fully packaged for tourists yet.
Best For
- Intermediate to advanced surfers seeking powerful, consistent waves
- Nature lovers interested in sea turtle conservation and wildlife
- Travelers seeking a quieter alternative to Jacó with better surf
- Digital nomads and remote workers (growing coworking and cafe scene)
- Families who want beach access without resort infrastructure
- Couples looking for laid-back surf town energy
Getting to Playa Hermosa
1 hour 25 minutes from San José (SJO) airport. Follow Route 27 to Jacó, then continue south on the Costanera Sur (Route 34) for about 10 minutes. Playa Hermosa is well-signed from Jacó. The drive from Jacó is flat, easy, and scenic along the coast.
How far is Playa Hermosa from Jacó?
Playa Hermosa is 10 minutes (5 miles) south of Jacó via the Costanera Sur highway (Route 34). The drive is flat, fast, and scenic along the coast. You can easily drive to Jacó for dinner variety, grocery shopping, nightlife, or tour departures, then return to Playa Hermosa's quieter surf-town atmosphere. Many Playa Hermosa guests treat Jacó as their service and restaurant hub while keeping their home base mellow and less touristy.
Do I need a car in Playa Hermosa?
A car is highly recommended but not strictly required. The main stretch of Playa Hermosa is walkable (beach to town center is 10-15 minutes on foot), and you can reach cafes, restaurants, and surf shops without wheels. But you'll want a car for grocery runs to Jacó (10 minutes), accessing tour departures, and exploring Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio, or beaches along the coast. Taxis and Uber exist but aren't as abundant as in Jacó. Rental cars from SJO airport run $35-60/day and give you freedom to explore.
What to Expect
Uncrowded waves, wildlife, and laid-back Pacific coast living
Championship Surf Breaks
Powerful, consistent beach breaks hosting national and international competitions. Best for intermediate to advanced surfers.
Sea Turtle Nesting Site
Protected olive ridley turtle nesting beach. Nighttime guided tours July-December; baby turtle releases October-November.
Uncrowded Beach
Long stretch of black sand beach with far fewer people than Jacó, even during peak season. Space to spread out and breathe.
Surf Town Culture
Yoga studios, surf lodges, smoothie cafes, and beachfront restaurants with a laid-back, local vibe. Less polished than Jacó, more authentic.
Wildlife Corridor
Between Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio, making it prime habitat for monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, and coastal birds.
Growing Food Scene
Cafes, breakfast spots, and restaurants serving fresh juice, local fish, and international cuisine. Small but well-curated.
Close to Jacó
10-minute drive north to Jacó's restaurants, nightlife, and supermarkets when you want more options or social energy.
Digital Nomad Friendly
Coworking spaces, strong wifi at most cafes and rentals, and a growing community of remote workers and long-term travelers.
Insider Tips
Turtle nesting season runs July-December, with peak hatching in October-November. Connect with @ReservePlayaTortuga on Instagram for last-minute baby turtle release announcements; they happen at dawn and are unforgettable.
The surf breaks directly in front of town can get aggressive and crowded during competitions. Walk 10 minutes south along the beach for less crowded peaks with the same quality waves.
Playa Hermosa has a growing cafe and breakfast scene that rivals Jacó. Try Jungle Juice Cafe or The Backyard for smoothie bowls, fresh-baked bread, and strong coffee in surf-town settings.
Things to Do in Playa Hermosa
Discover the best activities and experiences during your stay
Surfing
The Central Pacific offers Costa Rica's most consistent and accessible surf, with year-round waves for every skill level...
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Wildlife & Nature
The Central Pacific sits in one of Costa Rica's richest biodiversity corridors, squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and t...
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Dining & Food
The Central Pacific's food scene has evolved beyond tourist-trap mediocrity into a legitimate culinary destination. Fres...
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Beaches
Each beach in the Central Pacific has its own personality and purpose. Jacó is the long, accessible, action-oriented bea...
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Tours & Excursions
The Central Pacific is tour-operator central, with dozens of outfitters running daily excursions to rainforests, waterfa...
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Yoga & Wellness
Santa Teresa is Costa Rica's undisputed yoga and wellness capital: a remote Nicoya Peninsula beach town that has develop...
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Is Playa Hermosa safe to swim?
Playa Hermosa's surf is powerful with strong currents, rip tides, and heavy shorebreak; it's primarily a surf beach, not a swimming beach. If you're a confident ocean swimmer and understand how to escape rip currents (swim parallel to shore, never fight directly back), you can swim here, but it requires respect and caution. Families with young kids wanting calm swimming water should go to Herradura Bay (15 minutes north), which is sheltered and gentle. Playa Hermosa is where you come to surf, not splash around with toddlers.
Are there grocery stores and services in Playa Hermosa?
Playa Hermosa has a few small markets (Super Hermosa) for basics, fresh produce, beer, and essentials, plus bakeries, juice bars, and cafes. For full grocery shopping, drive 10 minutes north to Jacó where you'll find three supermarkets: AutoMercado (upscale, imported products), Mas x Menos (mid-range), and Mega Super (budget). Jacó also has pharmacies, medical clinics, banks, and ATMs. Playa Hermosa covers daily needs; Jacó is your full-service hub.
Where to Stay in Playa Hermosa
Browse our curated selection of homes and villas in Playa Hermosa. Full concierge service, seamless check-in, and local expertise included.
Every Nest Stays property comes with 24/7 local support, pre-arrival grocery stocking, and insider recommendations from people who actually live here.