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Beaches in Santa Teresa
SANTA TERESA

Beaches in Santa Teresa

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 Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa's beaches are a 5km stretch of palm-backed coastline divided into several distinct zones by character and wave conditions. Playa Carmen in the center is the social heart: a consistent beach break with cafes and restaurants steps from the sand, and the gathering point for the town's legendary sunsets. Playa Santa Teresa to the north has more boutique hotels and villas along the beach with slightly less foot traffic. Mal País at the south end is the most raw and undeveloped, popular with experienced surfers and those seeking the area's most unspoiled feel. All beaches share warm Pacific water, dark volcanic sand (bring sandals; it gets hot midday), and west-facing orientations that deliver spectacular sunsets. Swimming requires attention to currents; these are primarily surf beaches, not calm-water destinations. For a calm swimming day, Santa Teresa is more about long beach walks, beachside yoga, and sunset gatherings than splashing in flat water.

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

Jacó Beach Guide: Swimming, Tides & Safety (2026)
guides

Jacó Beach Guide: Swimming, Tides & Safety (2026)

Practical guide to swimming safely at Jacó Beach, Costa Rica. Learn about tide patterns, rip currents, best times to swim, and beach safety tips....

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Jaco Surfing Guide 2026: Breaks, Schools, Rentals & Conditions
guides

Jaco Surfing Guide 2026: Breaks, Schools, Rentals & Conditions

Complete guide to surfing Jaco Beach, Costa Rica. Learn about the best breaks for every skill level, surf school pricing, board rentals, and seasonal ...

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guides

Jacó Beach House Rental Guide — Find Your Perfect Costa Rica Getaway

Everything you need to know about renting a beach house in Jacó, Costa Rica — neighborhoods, pricing, what to look for, and how to book....

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Beaches in Santa Teresa

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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