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Journey + Leisure’s 2024 vacation spot of the yr is paradise for nature lovers with among the most lush, biodiverse landscapes on the earth. Whereas most of the greatest issues to do in Costa Rica are centered round its rain forests, cloud forests, chocolate farms, volcanos, and mineral-rich scorching springs, it’s exhausting to check a trip to the Central American nation that doesn’t embody time on the seashore. Costa Rica is residence to gorgeous stretches of Caribbean and Pacific shoreline. Lots of the cities which have cropped up round its biggest sand and surf belongings have turn into sought-after trip locations with lovely seashore resorts, award-winning inns, nice eating places, and heaps of outside actions, from surf classes and yoga to ziplining and stand-up paddleboarding.
Able to journey some waves or simply unwind on the golden shoreline? Scroll on for the ten greatest seashore cities in Costa Rica, in accordance with native consultants.
Santa Teresa
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Even earlier than the primary highway was paved, the waves lured surfers to Santa Teresa. Over time, phrase of its palm-fringed seashores, lush jungle, and candy-colored sunsets started to unfold. At this time, the off-the-beaten-path city on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula attracts a chill, in-the-know crowd who journey waves, swim within the heat water, follow downward going through canine with an ocean view, crack open a beer at sunset, and eat on the many informal worldwide eateries. We spent a month in Santa Teresa to rejoice my son’s first birthday, and we felt it really epitomizes the pura vida way of life.
Nosara
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“Centered on wellness and eco-tourism, Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula — one of many world’s Blue Zones — appeals to vacationers looking for a holistic expertise centered round Pacific seashores, yoga retreats, surf colleges, and unspoiled nature,” explains Emilio Zuniga, CEO of il Viaggio Journey. To journey the year-round constant waves, head to Playa Guiones, an extended seashore break inside a protected wildlife refuge. Wildlife lovers may even spot olive ridley sea turtles from July to December. After a day of sea and swells, unwind with cocktails (or mocktails) on the eco-oriented Sendero Lodge.
Tamarindo
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Positioned in Guanacaste on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, Tamarindo is favored for its seashores and browsing. “If you wish to come to Costa Rica and discover ways to surf, I like to recommend doing a lesson at Playa Tamarindo. The light waves are perfect for rookies,” says Esteban Guillén, head of communications on the Federación de Surf de Costa Rica. Past boarding, the buzzy resort city presents spectacular sunsets, full of life nightlife, and lots of alternatives to commune with nature. Leatherback turtles nest on Playa Grande, whereas howler monkeys and crocodiles name Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge residence.
Dominical
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Located close to the mouth of the Barú River and steeped in pure splendor, Dominical provides glorious waves, eco-adventures, and a relaxed tempo. Energetic vacationers can log on, kayaking, snorkeling, mountaineering by way of the rain forest, horseback driving, and off-roading. For those who’d somewhat publish up on Playa Dominical and seize a chew at one of many native sodas, that’s completely wonderful, too. A favourite of backpackers and price range vacationers, it’s additionally an ideal bang-for-your-buck vacation spot with inexpensive eats and fairly priced lodging.
Puerto Viejo
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“Acknowledged for its Afro-Caribbean tradition, Playa Puerto Viejo has a full of life ambiance, waves, and various wildlife, making it a vibrant and fascinating vacation spot,” explains Zuniga. The Jaguar Rescue Heart rescues, rehabilitates, and rewilds animals and provides guests the prospect to get an up-close view of untamed cats, monkeys, sloths, snakes, and anteaters by way of guided excursions. Superior surfers head to Salsa Brava, the place highly effective waves break exhausting over the reef. Not up for such a gnarly problem? Vacationers can go swimming within the calm waters and catch some rays on the black sands of Playa Negra.
Matapalo
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Its distant location on the sparsely populated southernmost tip of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula retains the city of Matapalo a well-guarded secret. Vacationers who do not thoughts an extended, bumpy drive will discover a pristine slice of paradise with near-empty seashores and rain forests. Moreover the fantastic thing about the shoreline, it’s the swells that stand out. “For one thing extra adventurous, you’ll be able to go for the problem of the right-hand wave,” says Guillén. “Costa Rican skilled surfer Brisa Hennessy discovered to board at Pan Dulce Seashore in Matapalo.”
Isla Uvita
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Isla Uvita (“Little Grape Island” in Spanish) is a small uninhabited speck of reef-flanked land that lies offshore of Limón on the Caribbean facet of Costa Rica. Undeveloped, unhurried, and accessible by boat from the mainland, it’s a stress-free day journey that’s tremendous chill by any and all trip requirements. The wave circumstances draw comparisons to the Aloha State: “It’s the closest you may discover to Hawaii in our nation,” notes Guillén. Moreover browsing, Isla Uvita has fairly seashores, colourful wildlife, and the historic declare to fame that Christopher Columbus landed right here for boat repairs in 1502.
Jacó
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Based on Guillén, the central Pacific area is undoubtedly the most-visited space attributable to its proximity to the capital. It’s on this area that you’re going to discover Jacó, situated simply 90 minutes from Juan Santamaría Worldwide Airport (SJO) and thought of the surf capital of Central America. Certainly one of Costa Rica’s extra developed seashore cities, it boasts a most important drag that’s dotted with outlets, eating places, and bars. The seashores buzz in the course of the day, and ATV excursions and catamaran cruises are fashionable actions. Nightlife takes heart stage when the solar goes down.
Montezuma
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A bohemian and inventive group perched on the southern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma advantages from its harder-to-reach location that retains the crowds at bay. If it have been extra accessible, there’s little doubt droves of vacationers would pack into this under-the-radar gem of a city to sprawl out on its white-sand seashore, hike to the idyllic waterfalls, and peep wildlife similar to sea turtles, butterflies, and monkeys. In fact, loads of vacationers do make the trek, and that contributes to its vibrant nightlife and international restaurant scene.
Manuel Antonio
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A resort city that sits simply past the borders of the nationwide park of the identical identify, Manuel Antonio is the perfect base camp for exploring rain forests teeming with white-faced capuchin monkeys and seemingly untouched stretches of shoreline. As a vacation spot, it’s a hub of eco-adventure, with all the pieces from snorkeling to cover excursions, and it additionally has a laid-back ambiance that invitations lazing on the white-sand seashore and cooling off within the turquoise water. It definitely would not damage that it’s some of the inexpensive tropical locations to go to.
