How does the picture above make you feel? Would you like to see such an amazing sunset?
I am Costa Rican, and that means I have been to the beach. In fact, my parents took me to the beach for the first time when I was a baby. For most of us “ticos”, going to “la playa” is part of our lives. I can remember, as if it were yesterday, the conversation I once had with my Austrian roommate when we were both exchange students in the United States.
-The first time I saw snow, I was 22 years old, and I went crazy about it! My friends and I were like children screaming, playing with it, making snowballs and they even buried me in snow! It was so much fun!
-OMG, I can’t believe you were that old when you first saw snow! I have always played with it, since I was a child…
-Wow…you were so lucky! Many people from my country have never seen snow, and it is actually a dream everybody has.
-There are many beaches in Costa Rica, right?
-Yes! A lot! They’re very beautiful!
-You’re not gonna believe this, but the first time I saw the ocean I was 22!
Just like my friend was surprised at the fact that I spent my entire childhood and adolescence without snow, I could not believe she did without going to the beach.
Costa Rica is located in the middle of the Central American isthmus, which means it limits to the East and Northeast with the Caribbean Sea and to the West and South with the Pacific Ocean. The coastline has a length of over 1800 km (1118 miles) with a never-ending variety of beaches for any possible taste. There are rocky, stony and sandy beaches with white, gray, bluish black, tan, brownish and pink colored sand.
Costa Rican beaches are surrounded by forests with a vast natural diversity, including wonderful flora and fauna. Many of them also have beautiful coral reefs to dive and explore. People can practice different sports such as scuba diving, surfing, fishing, swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, horseback riding, beach volleyball and soccer, golf or simply walking along the beach while the sun shines on their faces.
Something important to mention is that the beaches in Costa Rica are part of a complex natural system recognized by the Blue Flag Ecological Program, which has already awarded a special recognition to 59 beaches around the country (8 of them on the Caribbean Coast, 26 on the North Pacific Coast and 25 on the Central Pacific Coast). The Blue Flag Program is implemented thanks to Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, which ensures clean and safe beaches for visitors.
Beaches have warm waters all year long, and the average temperature is around 30 C (90 F). The beaches in the province of Guanacaste (North Pacific) are one the most popular destinations among tourists; some of the famous ones are Conchal, Flamingo, Tamarindo and Hermosa. The Central and Mid Pacific Region offers exuberant scenery that combines sun, beaches and forests with protected areas like the Manuel Antonio National Park. Other popular beach communities are Jacó and Puntarenas.
In the South Pacific part of the country, people can enjoy the beaches of Osa Peninsula as well as some Biological Reserves and National Parks. The Caribbean Region includes the province of Limón, where the beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo attract many visitors throughout the year.
As you can see, Costa Rica has plenty of beaches to choose from, and all of them are ideal for sunbathing, relaxing and admiring breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Also, they are very popular for honeymoon destinations. So, if you are looking for a vacation paradise to forget all the hustle and bustle of the city life, don’t think twice. Plan your next trip to Costa Rica so you can enjoy these beautiful beaches!
Read more:
Costa Rica is ‘pura vida’!
Swim between the flags in New Zealand
A slower pace of life in a coastal village in Indonesia
About the author
Nuria
Nuria,
This is the second time today I’ve been lured to the beaches by someone online, only your photos are better.
What gorgeous photos! So, for example from where you live how long does it take to get to the beach?
I can’t remember the first time I went to the beach, but I definitely saw snow first! We loved snow when I was growing up, because it meant the school was closed and we got an extra day of holiday.
Thanks a lot Mike and Lucy! 🙂
I took these photos myself! 😀 I like to use pictures I have taken, and I have a lot! So, I had to make a selection of the best ones jijiji
Lucy, I live in Heredia, in the Central Valley, so it takes less than 2 hours to get to the closest beach, but like 4 or 5 to get to Guanacaste, where the best beaches are.
You guys were lucky for not having school due to snow! jejeje We never have such a thing except for earthquakes! LOL Not as nice though! 😉
Great post. I’m already packing my bikini! 🙂
I saw the beach first (South Atlantic…brrrr!!! cold!) , when I was a baby, and snow, when I was 17 I think.
Hi Nuria! I’d love to see all this some day! Hey, is there any typical drink from Costa Rica you recommend? Maybe something similar to piña colada, with cononut or pineapple or any other fruit? Gracias 🙂
Thanks Ana and Marta! 🙂
Ana, our situation is similar jiji
Marta, here in Costa Rica there is a great variety of tropical fruits, and you can get so many different fruit drinks, they are delicious! :p
Are you thinking about a drink with alcohol in it?
Thanks Nuria for sharing such nice pictures and information about your beautiful country!
I’d love to come visit some day… 🙂
We have nice beaches on the French Riviera, in the South of the country… But yours seem much better, and warmer!! 😉
I definitely saw snow before seeing the beach! It snows every winter, here in France.. And this winter was so long (we even got snow in April! when it’s supposed to be warm outside!!) …
Your pictures are great as usual. Although I’m tica, I saw the beach for the first time when I was 10. So not having a trip to the beach during my first years of childhood makes me value even more what we have here. It’s great how you show everyone little parts of what and who we are.
Hello Nuria!
Of course, the sea was the first thing I saw as a good “tico”… indeed, my mom tells me that the first time I went to the beach, not even I was walking. Can you imagine? Of course, now after I grew up, I go whenever I can.
PS: I like your photos …
Aline, thanks for writing! You’re welcome to Costa Rica anytime, just let me know! 😉 I would like to see the French beaches..in 2005 I went to a beach in Germany and it was snowing!!! I couldn’t believe it! lol It was the very first time I was at the beach with a coat, hat and gloves! It was such a nice experience! 🙂 jijiji
Ana, thanks my friend! OMG, that’s true! I forgot you spent some childhood years in the States…wow, it’s so funny you’re tica but have such a different experience from most of us. Thanks for sharing that! 😉
Johan, thanks a lot! I also asked my mom and she told me I went to the beach for the first time when I was still in her womb jejeje But after I was born, I went there when I was not even 1 year old…It would be interesting to ask people around about this in our country, right? 🙂
Thanks for sharing such great photos. I myself did not know the beach till I was 16 although I’m tico. But that was because I grew up in a very small town and I didn’t travel a lot back then.And as Ana said, thanks for sharing our Costa Rica with everyone, and keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Marvin! 🙂
It’s nice to know your experience, thanks for sharing it. It’s true, we can’t generalize, right? jiji I’m sure there are still many “ticos” who don’t know the beach because they haven’t had the opportunity to go there.
Thanks for reading, and for your kind words, Marvin! 😉