7 best beaches in Costa Rica for families
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Dreaming of a family trip to Costa Rica but wondering which beaches are actually kid-friendly? We visited beaches along both coasts of Costa Rica and have narrowed it down to the top 7 best beaches in Costa Rica for families – whether you’ve got toddlers or teens.
Let’s face it, there are so many reasons to visit Costa Rica with kids. This is a destination that really hits HARD – wildlife, volcanos, ziplining, hanging bridges. But if you’re also looking to add some chilled out beach time to your itinerary then you’re in the right place for this too.
Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer some glorious beaches where you can unwind and embrace the Pura Vida vibes.
If you’re travelling with kids, you’re probably thinking about more than just gorgeous vistas and sunsets. When you’ve got kids in tow, there’s also a ton of other stuff to consider.
Riptides, lifeguards, where the nearest toilets are, is there anywhere to buy an ice cream, are we going to have to trek through the jungle to get there….these are all the kinds of things we were thinking when planning our own trip.
We spent several weeks travelling Costa Rica as a family and hopped our way along both coasts, happily testing out as many of the most beautiful beaches as we could! When it comes to the ABSOLUTE BEST beaches in Costa Rica for families, these are our tried and tested top picks.
These are not just the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica – these are the ones we actually think work best for families.
Table of Contents
- 1. Playa Guiones, Nosara: Best for chilled out surfer vibes
- 2. Playa Manuel Antonio: Best for scenery and wildlife
- 3. Playa Conchal (Tamarindo): Best for snorkelling
- 4. Tamarindo: Best for a beach resort stay
- 5. Playa Manzanillo: Best for local vibes
- 6. Playa Blanca (Cahuita): Best for combining hikes and swimming
- 7. Playa Negro (Cahuita): Best hidden gem
- Tips for visiting the beaches of Costa Rica
- Planning a family adventure to Costa Rica?
1. Playa Guiones, Nosara: Best for chilled out surfer vibes
The laidback little town of Nosara on the Pacific Coast is home to a string of beaches. Unlike busier Tamarindo to the North, this is one of the more chilled out Costa Rican beach towns.
The waves here make it massively popular with surfers. Careful development though means that the beaches here have a real natural feel to them. There’s no built-up resorts along the coast, although Nosara itself is small enough to mean that you’re never far from the sand.
Playa Guiones is one of several beaches just outside Nosara. There are pretty much no beach-side facilities – these aren’t beaches lined with restaurants and bars.
These are much more back-to-basics spots, which are wonderful for long days building sandcastles and playing in the sea. Pack up a picnic and plenty of water, pick your spot and relax!
We found that the beach was busiest in the evenings. The sunsets here can be spectacular and there was a lovely chilled out vibe in the evenings.
Given that this is a surfer spot, as you’d expect, the waves can get big. There are loads of places offering beginner surf lessons so if you have slightly older kids this is a great option.
Playa Pelada, just up the coast, is also worth a mention here for it’s tidal rock pools. Our kids spent hours exploring these and the little caves and rock formations.
The natural beauty of the beaches in Nosara and it’s super chilled out vibe makes this a place you can easily end up staying longer than you intended (we certainly did!).
Key Info for Visiting Playa Guiones, Nosara
| Facilities | None at the beach |
| Access | Short, flat walk from the accommodation options in Nosara |
| Lifeguards | No |
| Activities | Surfing, watching sunsets |
| Best for | Older kids for the water, younger kids would also enjoy the acres of space for sandcastle building and games |
| Where to stay nearby | Olas Verde Hotel – Click here to check rates and book online |
2. Playa Manuel Antonio: Best for scenery and wildlife
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the top destinations on most Costa Rica itineraries. The wildlife spotting opportunities here are WILD. And also ridiculously easy! This was our very first stop in Costa Rica and it was completely intoxicating.
The looks on the boys’ faces when they saw their first sloth, the giant iguanas, monkeys swinging through the trees – THIS was the Costa Rica we’d been longing to see.
But one of the other aspects of Manuel Antonio that blew us away was that it’s also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Or, to be honest, probably one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere on the planet.
Playa Manuel Antonio is a glorious stretch of perfect white sand that’s backed by jungle. You emerge here from the hike through the national park trails and it’s like absolute paradise.
Especially as (like us) you’ll probably be pretty hot and sweaty by the time you get here. Which makes that aquamarine sea even more enticing!
The sea is calm with small, gentle waves so it’s the perfect spot for a swim with the kids. One of us (not me) had forgotten our swim gear when we left our hotel on the hike, so we just all dived in fully clothed. There was no way the boys weren’t getting in that water!
The combination of gentle sloping sand and calm waves made this feel like one of the safest beaches in Costa Rica.
There are sloths in the trees along the beach, giant iguanas chilling on the rocks and hundreds of hermit crabs pootling around in the sand.
Be aware that there are two beaches within the National Park. The other, Playa Espadilla Sur is not as safe for swimming. It can have pretty strong riptides at times. Which is why you’ll see that everyone is at Playa Manuel Antonio a few steps away!
Of all the beaches we visited, Playa Manuel Antonio felt like the most magically Costa Rican spot. The combo of jungle, sloths and absolutely stunning scenery is hard to beat.
Key Info for Visiting Playa Manuel Antonio
| Facilities | None at the beach; toilets available at the park entrance |
| Access | Only accessible via the national park trails. These are mostly flat wooden walkways and are an easy hike, even for kids and older people. It takes around an hour from the park entrance to the beach |
| Lifeguards | No |
| Activities | Swimming and wildlife spotting |
| Best for | All ages, but if visiting with small children bring a baby/toddler sling or carrier for the walk through the park |
| Where to stay nearby | Igloo Beach Lodge – Click here to check rates and book online |
3. Playa Conchal (Tamarindo): Best for snorkelling
Just outside Tamarindo, the beach at Playa Conchal is made up of millions (and I mean MILLIONS) of tiny, tiny shells. Framed by palm trees and jungle to the rear, this is frequently touted as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
The major bonus here too is that there are small pools that form when the tide goes out where the water is more protected and calm. This makes it one of the best swimming beaches in Costa Rica for younger kids. Our boys spent hours snorkelling in the crystal clear water here and spotted loads of fish.
Popular with locals and tourists alike, Playa Conchal can get very busy, particularly on weekends and holidays. There aren’t any proper facilities (no restaurants, toilets or showers) but there are little shacks that offer loungers and gazebos to rent plus food and cold drinks.
Be aware that the waves can get big in the open water of the cove so keep an eye on kids in this area. Some of the rocks in the tidal pools can also be quite sharp (as my youngest found when climbing on them).
If you’ve got younger kids then one of the downsides of Playa Conchal is that there is no direct access. The nearest parking is in the small town of Brasilito, which is about a 20-minute walk. The walk however is pretty lovely in itself as you wander along the neighbouring beach before coming out at Playa Conchal.
Remember to bring cash for loungers and any food/drinks. The mocktails in a pineapple were a HUGE hit with our kids (they STILL talk about them – they are definitely not to be missed!).
Key Info for Visiting Playa Conchal
| Facilities | No toilets at the beach. There are a number of little stalls set up offering loungers, gazebos and cold drinks. |
| Access | The nearest parking is in the small town of Brasilito. Brasilito is around a 30min drive from Tamarindo; parking is in a large open lot in the centre of town (you can’t miss it – locals will direct you). From here, head towards the beach and take a left – follow the beach as far as you can and you’ll reach Playa Conchal in the neighbouring bay. |
| Lifeguards | No |
| Activities | Snorkelling in the tidal pools, digging through the tiny, beautiful shells, enjoying a cocktail or mocktail |
| Best for | All ages – worth the walk with younger kids as the tidal pools and beautiful shells will keep the little ones happy. |
| Where to stay nearby | Villas La Paz – Click here to check rates and book online |
4. Tamarindo: Best for a beach resort stay
This is definitely the most tourist-heavy beach on our list. As far as Costa Rica beach towns go, this is one of the most popular picks for a lot of families. It’s a key destination particularly for lots of American visitors looking for Costa Rica family beach vacations.
And you can see why. It’s got a ton of great beach resorts for families, ice cream parlours, restaurants galore and – of course – a great big beach.
Whilst I don’t think that this would be on the list of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, it is still one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for families. It’s a great activity hub and jumping off place for other stuff.
There are surf schools with lessons for beginners upwards, you can hire out loads of stuff to have fun with in the sea and it’s also a great base for day trips nearby. And whilst it does get busy, the beach is HUGE – we never had a problem finding our own spot on the sand.
I would say that this is the only beach in Costa Rica where I felt we got a bit of hassle from vendors. It still wasn’t particularly intrusive, it just happened more than in other spots we’d visited in the country.
There are all kinds of tours that run in the area and plenty of tour agencies to choose from in town. You can try ziplining, ATV driving or take a night trip to the beaches North of Tamarindo to see nesting turtles.
This was one of our favourite tours in Costa Rica – you can read all about how to see this amazing sight in our full blog post over here
If you’re going to pick one easy, accessible beach resort with a ton of facilities then Tamarindo is the place for you.
Key Info for Visiting Playa Tamarindo
| Facilities | There are restrooms by Witch’s Rock Surf Camp (and showers) that you can use for a small fee. Plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes with seating along the beach. Shops line the beach road selling souvenirs, snacks, drinks and beach kit like towels, buckets and snorkels etc. You can also hire loungers from various places along the beach. |
| Access | Parking available at various places along the beachfront. Most hotels in Tamarindo are within walking distance of the beach. |
| Lifeguards | Yes |
| Activities | Surfing, swimming |
| Best for | All ages – older, active kids will love all the activities but it’s also an easy spot for families with young kids as it’s accessible and there are lots of facilities nearby. |
| Where to stay nearby | La Ramona Charming Hotel – Click here to check rates and book online |
5. Playa Manzanillo: Best for local vibes
Right down at the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, this is a long stretch of dramatic black sand backed by palm trees and jungle. It’s not your typical white sand/blue sea type beach but it’s incredibly beautiful in a very different way.
We spent a week in Manzanillo wandering through the national park and hanging out on the beach.
It felt much more like a ‘locals’ spot than many of the other beaches we visited in Costa Rica. On the weekends there are big family groups cooking meals together and chilling out.
This does make it a really interesting beach to spend time on if you want to see the real Costa Rican life. Whilst it’s busy on the weekends we found it very quiet in the week.
Whilst it’s lively and interesting to visit on weekends, we found that there was a lot of litter left on the beach afterwards. For that reason I’d advise avoiding Mondays as it seemed to take a day or so for the beach to be cleaned up.
The surf here (and the riptides) can be quite strong. We swam in the sea but it’s less suitable for younger kids/non-confident swimmers than some of the other spots on the coast.
There’s a shipwreck around halfway along the beach that is also interesting (although don’t allow kids to play in/around it as it’s crumbling).
One of the other nice things about Manzanillo beach is that there is plenty of shade here amongst the palm trees.
A hike around the Refugio Nacional Gandoca-Manzanillo (the small national park) spotting wildlife, followed by an afternoon on the beach here is a great option for a day out with kids.
Whilst it might not pack as much of a punch in terms of vistas as other beaches along the coast, this one still has a place on our list as the local feel it offered felt very unique.
Key Info for Visiting Playa Manzanillo
| Facilities | No toilets at the beach. Small shops for snacks/drinks/ice creams on the beachside road, along with a handful of local restaurants and cafes. |
| Access | Parking available at the end of the beach road. The local bus service that runs along the coast from Cahuita stops right at the beach. |
| Lifeguards | At limited times during the day |
| Activities | Swimming, grabbing lunch from one of the cafes, chilling out, viewing the shipwreck |
| Best for | Older kids/more confident swimmers. |
| Where to stay nearby | Faith Glamping Dome – Click here to check rates and book online |
6. Playa Blanca (Cahuita): Best for combining hikes and swimming
Of the two main beaches in Cahuita, this is the white sand one inside the national park. This is the stuff of your Caribbean beach dreams. Glittering white sand, turquoise seas backed by palm trees and a national park full of wildlife.
Entry to Cahuita National Park is by donation only; there is no set fee. Once you’re inside the park Playa Blanca is right in front of you.
This is a good option for swimming – we found the water really calm on all of our visits. As with anywhere though, be aware of changing conditions as locals had said to us that at times the waves and riptides were stronger. There is a coral reef offshore but snorkelling is only allowed via a tour.
Like Manzanillo, Playa Blanca is a great option as part of a day out to the national park. We hiked the trails here several times and loved coming back to the beach at the end to cool off in the sea! As it’s a protected national parks there is a lot of wildlife – we saw sloths, snakes, raccoons and monkeys here.
Be aware of all the local wildlife though while you’re at the beach – we had raccoons AND monkeys attempting to get into our bags. If you have any food with you they will sniff it out!
Key Info for Visiting Playa Blanco
| Facilities | None |
| Access | Parking available near the entrance to the national park. It’s a very short walk to the beach along wooden walkways, so easy even for younger children. |
| Lifeguards | No |
| Activities | Swimming, wildlife spotting, hiking the national park trails |
| Best for | Older kids who can also hike the trails, any nature-lovers |
| Where to stay nearby | Cabinas Cahuita – Click here to check rates and book online |
7. Playa Negro (Cahuita): Best hidden gem
This hidden gem of a beach is a joy to hang out at. The soft, black volcanic sand gives it an other-worldly appearance – it really is stunning. It’s also a great beach option for families given it’s location near to Cahuita.
It’s about a 20-minute walk from the middle of Cahuita (somewhere we absolutely loved). There’s a selection of lovely little shacks selling the most delicious fresh fruit smoothies and milkshakes right off the beach.
There is surprisingly good surf here so it’s a good option for those looking to ride some waves. We did find the riptides/currents quite strong (even for our two confident swimmers) so keep a close eye on kids in the water. There are rarely any lifeguards on duty.
We saw several sloths hanging out in the trees here during our visit too. And who doesn’t love a bonus sloth spot when in Costa Rica??
The other major win for Playa Negro are the natural pools just off the northern tip of the beach. If you venture through the trees you’ll stumble across a series of small pools that are great for swimming in (away from the surf on the beach).
We fell in love with Playa Negro and it’s resident sloths – we went back day after day for more!
Key Info for Visiting Playa Negro
| Facilities | No toilets at the beach. Small shops for snacks/drinks/ice creams on the beachside road, along with a handful of local restaurants and cafes. |
| Access | Parking available at various points or a flat 20-minute walk from Cahuita |
| Lifeguards | No |
| Activities | Swimming in the sea or natural pools, surfing, sloth spotting |
| Best for | Older kids/more confident swimmers |
| Where to stay nearby | Cabinas Cahuita – Click here to check rates and book online |
Tips for visiting the beaches of Costa Rica
- Always, always think about the conditions before you enter the water. Whilst we happily swam at all of these beaches conditions can obviously differ massively depending on the season/weather/tides
- Leave your valuables back at the hotel. Whilst we didn’t have any issues with thefts in Costa Rica we were always cautious not leave our stuff unattended.
- Pack plenty of water and try to avoid the heat of the day. Costa Rica is hot and humid and we always got through more water than we thought we would need!
Planning a family adventure to Costa Rica?
Check out our full guide to Costa Rica with Kids here. Plus you can download a free pdf version right here to help with your planning. It has all the info you need to plan the perfect trip, including:
- Packing lists
- Two-week itinerary curated specifically for family travel
- Costs
- Where to stay
- What to do
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