Playa Hermosa is a great place for travelers who want to be near the beaches and not in a tourist area. If you’re looking for an alternative to the more popular surf spots in Costa Rica, Playa Hermosa might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a 20-30 minute drive from Jaco or 30 minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park, making it convenient for travelers staying in either town. And unlike Tamarindo and Jaco (and even Quepos), there aren’t any mass tourism hotels here – instead, there are plenty of charming small hotels and hostels that cater specifically to surfers.
Playa Hermosa is great place to surf
The waves are good year round, and it’s easy for beginners to learn how to surf here. Playa Hermosa is also good for experienced surfers who want to catch some waves with their friends or family members.
FAQ
What is the closest town to Playa Hermosa?
Playa Hermosa is located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, about an hour and a half from Liberia, which is the nearest major city. It’s also about two hours from Tamarindo and three-and-a-half hours from San Jose.
What activity I can take ?
- Kayaking across Laguna de Arenal (three hours each way)
- Horseback riding through rainforest with an experienced guide (two hours each way)
What’s the best way to get there?
You can fly into Liberia International Airport and take a shuttle or taxi to your hotel.
Pros & Cons of Playa Hermosa
Pros:
- The beach is amazing, and the water is warm. You’ll find yourself spending a lot of time here, whether you’re swimming or lounging on the sand. It’s also great for snorkeling and diving.
- Playa Hermosa has some great restaurants to choose from, including La Casa del Pescador and La Posada del Mar (which serves breakfast). You can enjoy fresh seafood at these places; they’re also popular with locals because they have affordable prices compared to other restaurants in the area.
- There are several small shops where you can buy souvenirs like jewelry or clothing made by local artisans–and even get your hair braided! If this sounds like something that interests you, I highly recommend checking out these shops before leaving Playa Hermosa so that everything will be ready when we arrive back home later this week.”
“Playa Hermosa is the perfect place to spend a few days away from the crowds. You get a good feel for Costa Rica, but you’re still close enough that you can easily travel between here and Manuel Antonio National Park or Jaco. One thing we always recommend is renting a car when you plan a trip to Playa Hermosa because it’s nice to be able to explore on your own schedule.”
— Rostislav Sikora, Author
Playa Hermosa is nicer than Jaco
Playa Hermosa is much smaller than Jaco. It’s also quieter, which means that you’ll find fewer people and less hustle-and-bustle. That’s not to say it’s completely devoid of activity–there are bars and restaurants, as well as shops selling souvenirs for your travels back home.
The surf at Playa Hermosa is better than it is at Jaco (and most other places along this stretch of coast). If you want to learn how to surf while in Costa Rica in Puntarenas region, this would be the place!
Surprisingly enough given its smaller size, Playa Hermosa can feel more crowded than Jaco during high season because there are more hotels here (and since they’re newer). However once you get away from those areas everything feels more relaxed again so don’t worry too much about finding an empty spot on the beach when you get here! Its very similar to Playa Linda.
Surfing
Playa Hermosa is a right hand point break that breaks over coral reefs and sandy bottoms. It’s good for beginners, longboarders, shortboarders and body-surfers alike. The waves at Playa Hermosa tend to be smaller than those at nearby beaches like Dominical and Uvita (which are further south). This makes it an ideal spot for learning how to surf or improve your skills if you’re already an experienced surfer who wants something mellow on a hot day.
Playa Hermosa also has excellent snorkeling conditions due to its location near Isla Colon, which is home to many different species of marine life including whales, dolphins and sea turtles! Maybe better location is on Playa Uvita.
You need a car or bike to get around
You can get around by foot or bicycle, which is great for people who want to stay active while they’re on vacation. If you don’t want to do any traveling on your own, there are several options for getting around. You can rent a car at the airport, but be aware that traffic in Costa Rica is pretty heavy and driving conditions can be unpredictable due to heavy rains during certain times of year (like January) same like in other countries in Central America.
You might also consider taking a taxi if you’re staying near Playa Hermosa; however, keep in mind that taxis are more expensive than shuttles from hotels and hostels–and sometimes harder to find when you need them! If this sounds appealing but still too much work for you, then take advantage of one of the many shuttle services available throughout Costa Rica: all inclusive travel packages often include free transportation as part of their service package!
Can arrange diving and fishing trips
You can arrange diving and fishing trips here, as well. The staff at Playa Hermosa can help you find a dive shop in town, or they’ll arrange one for you if there isn’t one nearby. They also have their own boats available for hire if there’s no other option available.
You may have noticed that the ocean around Playa Hermosa is teeming with tropical fish! If you want to get up close and personal with them while on vacation, this is the place for it! There are several tours available that take guests out onto their own private boat so they can go snorkeling or diving in search of some amazing underwater sights (and maybe even catch some dinner).
Souvenirs shops at Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is a small town, so there are not as many souvenir shops as in Tamarindo. The ones that do exist sell the same things: jewelry, surfboards and other beach gear. You can also find some local art at these shops.
You can find some interesting local art and crafts at the souvenir shops in Playa Hermosa. There is not much variety, but you can usually find something that catches your eye.
Quieter than Tamarindo and Flamingo
Playa Hermosa is a quiet, relaxed beach town that’s perfect for those who want to get away from it all.
It’s not as touristy as Tamarindo or Flamingo and is less party-focused than either of those two towns (though there are still bars). This makes Playa Hermosa an ideal place to relax and unwind after your time in busy, touristy areas like Tamarindo and Flamingo.
Get fresh coconut at Ceviche Fresco Rico
If you’re a fan of fresh coconut water, this is the place to get it. They also serve food, including ceviche and other seafood dishes that are popular in Costa Rica.
The address is Calle 5 between Avenida 2 and Avenida 3; phone number: (506) 2654-2069; hours of operation are from 7:00am to 10:00pm daily; price range is $2 – $15 USD per plate (approximate). The menu includes several types of ceviche on offer as well as fried fish tacos and other seafood specialties. I recommend ordering either camarones al vapor (steamed shrimp) or langostinos rellenos de queso con arroz blanco y frijoles negros (scallops stuffed with cheese & served with white rice & black beans).
Lots of privacy, great surf
- The surf is great. There are lots of breaks along this beach, so you can pick your spot based on what works for you.
- The surf breaks at different times of day and different tides, so even if one break isn’t working for you, there’s likely another one nearby that will be optimal.
- It’s spread out enough along the beach that it doesn’t feel crowded even though there are many people in the water or hanging out on their boards watching other people in the water (ahem).
- There aren’t any dangerous currents or swells–it’s not like Tavarua where waves come crashing down onto rocks and rip apart limbs if you’re not careful!
- More info you can get og Google review.
Conclusion
Overall, Playa Hermosa is a great place to surf and relax on your vacation. It’s quiet, pretty, and the locals are friendly. There are plenty of souvenir shops around town where you can get some local souvenirs!
Leave a Reply