09 Best White Sand Beaches in Costa Rica
2. Papagayo Gulf Beaches
3. Playa Avellana Beach
4. Playa Tambor Beach
1. Golfo de Santa Elena
Golfo de Santa Elena is a tranquil and secluded beach located in one of Central America’s richest marine areas. Nearby is the Santa Rosa National Park that is inhabited with all kinds of plants and animals including deer, howler, and white-faced monkeys, or big cats that reside within the park, as well as gushing streams, waterfalls, and stunning white sand beaches.
A small fishing village, Cuajiniquil is the largest nearby town.
Activities include horseback riding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, whale and dolphin watching.
2. Papagayo Gulf Beaches
The Gulf of Papagayo is the location of some of Costa Rica’s nicest white sand beaches and luxury resorts, experiencing a boom in the construction of all-inclusive resort complexes. Nearby are the Guanacaste national parks including Marino las Baulas, Rincón de la Vieja, and Santa Rosa.
Accommodations options are extensive from all-inclusive resorts to bed & breakfasts and small intimate hotels though mostly in the mid-range and luxury levels. Access is by Liberia’s International Airport or paved roads.
3. Playa Avellana Beach
Playa Avellana Beach known as "Little Hawaii". Playa Avellana has incredible offshore waves that can reach up to eighteen feet, ideal for experienced surfers and why the locals call it “little Hawaii”.
It’s secluded white sand beaches that are tranquil and peaceful, minutes from the popular beach town of Tamarindo. Nearby are conservation areas Marino Las Baulas National Park and the Ostional Wildlife Refuge which are nesting sites for endangered sea turtles.
Located in just a short drive from Tamarindo where there are bars, hotels, restaurants shops, and spas, and activities including horseback riding, golfing, Scuba Diving, snorkeling, and more, as well as a vivid nightlife with the sound of Latin music.
4. Playa Tambor Beach
Playa Tambor Beach one of the best beaches for swimming and snorkelling.
Playa Tambor Beach lies just northeast of Montezuma and its pinkish-gray beach and clam aquamarine-colored waters make it one of Costa Rica’s best beaches for swimming and snorkeling. It’s secluded white sand beaches and a small fishing village with a laid-back atmosphere and a mix of locals and foreign expatriate retirees.
Activities include golfing, horseback riding, snorkeling, and scuba diving the abundant marine life in the crescent-shaped bay that was once frequented by whales.
There are many accommodation options including luxury resorts, one with its own golf course. Located close to the Curu National Wildlife Refuge, nearby Cabo Blanco Reserve, or the Guayabo and Negritos Islands, are all alternatives to explore the Nicoya Peninsula’s remarkable wildlife.
Access can be by the town’s airport or by ferry transportation from Puntarenas to Paquera which is 28 miles away.
5. Playa Conchal Beach | | White sand Beaches in Costa Rica
A beach composed of millions of tiny crushed shells surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand beaches in Costa Rica. These clear waters make the beach a perfect place for swimming or snorkeling with an array of tropical fish.
Located in a bay next to Playa Brasilito, the beach is almost 3 miles long and is considered by many to be one of the most exotic beaches in the world.
Notably, it is one of few Pacific Coast beaches with crystal clear water similar to those on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
Activities include deep-sea fishing, hiking, and golfing at the luxurious Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort and Golf Course.
Brasilito is within a short walk along the beaches of Conchal and Playa Brasilito, where are located bars, hotels, and restaurants.
6. Playa Cocles | White sand Beaches in Costa Rica
Playa Cocles Beach is found on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica south of Puerto Viejo and Limon with their strikingly beautiful beaches, lush greenery, and relaxed atmosphere. It also falls in the category of white sand beaches.
The culture is a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri, and Latino indigenous cultures with reggae rhythms streaming, surf shops, boutiques, bars, hotels and restaurants, bars, and a variety of hotel options. Of note is that in order to keep the beach a safe place to swim the community came together and contributed to a lifeguard service which is not common in Costa Rica.
Activities include fishing, kayaking, and mountain biking, as well as visiting the indigenous Bribrie community, butterfly garden, and or dolphin tours. You can also check out nearby parks such as Cahuita National Park that protects Costa Rica’s biggest Coral Reef, the Talamanca Indian Reserve, and the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge within which can be found endangered flora and fauna as well as mangrove swamps and tropical rainforest.
7. Playa Coyote | White Sand Beaches in Costa Rica
Playa Coyote Beach was a soft sand white beaches perfect for swimming. Located on the southwest shores of the Nicoya Peninsula, this pristine beach is a horseshoe-shaped bay with soft sand lined by coconut palms situated about halfway midway between Malpais and Samara beaches.
It's perfect for swimming since the waters are tranquil and shallow, being frequented by families, nature lovers, and those seeking spectacular sunsets.
Just south of Playa Coyote at Punta Coyote, there’s also a great surf break.
Nature Activities and Animals Abound
Activities include hiking, horseback riding on the beach, mountain bike rentals, surfing, swimming, and wildlife watching where along the beach or in the forest you can see howler and white-faced monkeys, iguanas, pelicans, and even anteaters or a wild boar.
Flamingos and frigates often habitat around the estuary and there are bat colony caves to explore at the rocky Punta Coyote. Also located on the southern side of Punta Coyote lies Playa Caletas with a marine turtle rehabilitation area where the Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Pacific Green turtles come ashore during the turtle-nesting season which runs from August to December.
Close by is the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve was Costa Rica’s first National Park established in 1963 where you can see a tropical animal, bird, and plant species, and the Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary and Refuge which is a new reserve created about the limits of Cabo Blanco Park with an endangered species re-introduction program, for the Scarlet Macaw, Great Green Macaw, Three-Toed Sloth, Spider Monkey, and Baird’s Tapir.
Rustic Accommodations but close to civilization
As to accommodations, there’s a campground with basic amenities, a new hotel, and a small restaurant that is said to be one of the best fish restaurants in Costa Rica.
More hotels and restaurants can be found in the village of San Francisco de Coyote which is 3 miles away, and where daily bus service runs to San Jose
Access is by daily bus service runs from San Jose to San Francisco de Coyote, or by car from Playa Naranja on the eastern side of the peninsula and from Samara to the north.
During the rainy season, a four-wheel drive is strongly advised as areas may be impassable.
8. Playa Del Coco | White sand Beaches in Costa Rica
Although the town only a small fishing village, Playa del Coco Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Costa Rica with its white-grey sands in a horseshoe-bay that stretches two miles to Centinela Point. Interestingly, the water is a different blue-grayish tint instead of the usual blue-green. Best known as a party beach, Coco’s party grows in size and intensity after the Rainy Season and is busiest during late November and December.
Lots of nightlife, bars, and restaurants with additional casinos and discos. Activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, and world-class sport fishing, with lots of shops, accommodations, and resorts. Nearby is Marino Las Baulas National Park where the Hawksbill, Leatherback and Pacific Green turtles make their nests.
Liberia’s International Airport is closest while the drive from San Jose is approximately 5 hours by car or bus, for which buses run daily from both locations.
9. Uvita Beaches | White sand Beaches in Costa Rica
Check out the Turles and Whales from this Beach Playa Uvita beach is a white sand beach, known to be a less crowded, unspoiled beach, located just south of Dominical.
It’s perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and diving offshore, at low tide you can visit Punta Uvita to the south. Kayak tours check out the mangroves and estuaries surrounding Uvita.
As well gorgeous waterfalls are close by some described as being the best in the country. Additional activities include hiking and horseback riding.
During May through October the Olive Ridley and Hawksbill sea turtles coming ashore to nest, particularly inside Marino Ballena National Park with its renowned “Whales Tail”, just to the south. While in December through April you can see migrating majestic Humpback whales just offshore.
You can also see dolphins playing just offshore. Access is by the main highway or Bahia Ballena airstrip.
