Playa Dominical: This beach is known worldwide for its first-class surfing. Dominical offers a wonderful beach surrounded by hotels and restaurants. It’s the only beach with year-round lifeguards. It’s situated before the bridge at Río Barú and the police station, with its entrance to the right.

Playa Dominicalito: If you’re in the area looking for some tranquility, Dominicalito is for you. This calm-water beach is ideal for novice surfers. It’s the safer beach in respect to currents thanks to its bay shape and is perfect in low tide. It’s located just south of Playa Dominical.

Playa Hermosa: Its name is well deserved! This beach offers about 6 km / 4 miles of sand. You can park your car under the shade of trees near the beach. It’s located further south, connected with the north of Playa Uvita, where you find the highway markers of km 156 and 158. It’s a perfect spot for families. Good surf, with waves a little smaller than in Dominical.

Playa Uvita: This is the official entry of Marino Ballena National Park. It offers around 4 km / 2.50 millas of Sandy beach, small waves, and the famous “Whale’s Tail” formation. It’s possible to reach the “tail” itself during low tides. It’s the only beach where you can go snorkeling right from shore. You’ll find a number of services nearby including bars, restaurants, and tours.

Playa La Colonia: This beach belongs to the Marino Ballena National Park and offers a vast, Sandy shore and waves for all kinds of surfers, as well as areas to park and relax. Recommended for families.

Playa Arco: If you’re looking for a hidden paradise, you’ll find it at this beach. Located alongside Playa Ballena, you can only get there on foot during low tide. At the north end of Playa Ballena you will find a short trail. There’s no direct access from the highway. Monkeys, waterfalls, caverns and fine sand will fill your spirit with peace and tranquility.

Playa Ballena: The heart of the national park and a great spot for picnics at tables under the shade of trees. Toilets are available as well as the trail to Playa Arco.

Playa Piñuela: The last beach within the national park. It’s a small rocky bay about 1 km / 0.6 miles long. It offers calm waves ideal for swimming. You may even encounter local fishermen that you can buy a fresh catch from. Camp sites are available, as well as showers and toilets.

Playa Ventanas: This little beach surrounded by jungle is characterized by rocky formations with caverns you can explore in low tide. The sea enters the tunnels and gives the name “windows” to the beach. It’s about 2 km / 1.4 millas long and forms a small bay ideal for swimming and surfing practice. There is a little river pool flowing out to sea. Often times there are even vendors providing food, basic equipment, and portable shade.

Playa Tortuga: This wide beach is wonderful for fishing. Normally it’s almost empty, as you need to wade a bit to reach the ocean shore. Every year between July and December the turtles give birth on this beach. The nearby mangrove forest has a wide variety of wildlife. Sunset views here are fantastic. The beach is about 7 km / 4.5 miles long and is across form the mouth of the Río Térraba. From the house, access is only a stone’s throw away. Parking is free.

Playa Garza (Boca Brava): At the mouth of Río Térraba. The Río Térraba is the longest river in Costa Rica. One of the mouths separates the large stretch of Isla Garza from the land, has a lot of riptides and is home to crocodiles and sharks. Almost nobody surfs at Isla Garza, because the only way to reach it is by boat. Just upstream is a paradise mangrove forest with a great diversity of birds and amphibians.