Playa Hermosa (Santa Teresa)
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
A wide, jungle-backed beach a few minutes north of Santa Teresa with no buildings on the sand and some of the most consistent beginner-friendly waves on the coast.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- sunset
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 5 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.66645, -85.19312 — Google Maps
Tip
At low tide the beach becomes enormous — perfect for a long sunset walk; rock pools appear toward Manzanillo between mid and low tide.
Be careful
Rip currents — swim only where you can stand and away from the surfers.
Places nearby
- Couleur CaféFood & CoffeeFrench-inspired café with colourful décor and tables under a big shady tree at the first entrance to Playa Hermosa - a surfer's breakfast or a lazy lunch, with vegetarian options.
- Soda RocamarSodas & Local FoodBeach soda built around locally caught fish, with fish tacos, guacamole and sandwiches served a few steps from the sand.
- Nantipa – A Tico Beach ExperienceStaysBarefoot-luxury boutique hotel on the beach in Santa Teresa.
- Natura SurfLifeSurf, Boats & DivingSanta Teresa surf school with more than 20 years of experience, also renting ATVs and booking waterfall and Isla Tortuga tours.
- Soda TiquiciaSodas & Local FoodCasual local soda in Santa Teresa known for generous plates of Costa Rican comfort food, especially fish casado, fried red snapper and mixed ceviche, at fair prices.
- El Facon Grill & BarFood & CoffeeArgentine asado house: meat cooked slowly over the grill for a smoky flavour, milanesas, fresh fish and veggie dishes, in a family-friendly room with live music.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/932522416 · https://mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-beach-information/playa-hermosa-santa-teresa/ · https://shakacostarica.com/blog/top-5-reasons-we-love-playa-hermosa