Playa Hermosa, North Puntarenas

Surf, Sun, and Black Sand Await in Playa Hermosa

For experienced surfers looking to test their skills, there are few better locations in all of Costa Rica to ride heavy waves than in Playa Hermosa, North Puntarenas.

Know that there are multiple beaches in Costa Rica called Playa Hermosa. This one covered here in this article is the one located in the Central Pacific area of North Puntarenas, but there’s also a very beautiful Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste in the Guanacaste region. For our complete article on that beach, click here!

Playa Hermosa is a relatively sparse village with few accommodations for tourists. But it’s only about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of Jacó, one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach towns. Jacó has a laid back vibe with plenty of small shops, bars, surf stands, and locally-owned restaurants.

Despite its proximity to the bustling town, few people head down to Playa Hermosa compared to Playa Jacó. The beach can feel relatively secluded, which makes it a nice break from the crowds of tourists you might find at other beaches in the area. This also makes Jacó the perfect spot to rest and fuel up in between bouts of surfing at Playa Hermosa, as it only takes about 10-15 minutes to travel to the beach by car.

Playa Hermosa, North Puntarenas is famous for its incredible surfing conditions. The surf here is often heavy with large waves on average, so it’s only suitable for experts. However, for those who are willing to rise to the challenge, there are few more thrilling experiences to be had at any of Costa Rica’s coastlines!

Read on to learn about Playa Hermosa’s surfing scene, other fun activities in the area, where to stay for your trip to Playa Hermosa and much more!

Fun Activities in Playa Hermosa, North Puntarenas

No matter if you surf or not, Playa Hermosa and the surrounding area is full of fun things to do! Surfing is the main draw at the beach of course, but the area is still worth a visit even if you’re not one for expert level surfing!

Nature enthusiasts are sure to enjoy hiking through Costa Rica’s rainforests. Tour the Manuel Antonio National Park, go birdwatching, or snorkel at the park’s beaches. More adventurous types may prefer to explore via all-terrain vehicles, or take an action-filled adventure tour.

There are also many opportunities to learn about local culture! Explore the shops of Jacó, sample authentic dishes, or take a lesson in sport fishing from a local. Kick back, relax and do a lot of nothing, or explore the area to your heart’s content!

If you decide to surf or explore the surrounding parks, be sure to come prepared with plenty of sunscreen, a hat, a rash guard for sun and skin protection if you’re surfing and even bug spray. With that, be ready to have an incredible time making memories in one of the most exciting locations in Costa Rica!

Go Surfing

Surfers can be found up and down the coast of Playa Hermosa regardless of the season or time of day. Rent a board or take a guided surfing tour, but don’t plan on taking lessons at this beach, as the choppy waters aren’t very beginner-friendly.

Most surfing enthusiasts prefer to visit during Costa Rica’s green season, which lasts from May to November. During this season, the waves are larger than the ones you’ll find during the dry season. They’re also more consistent throughout this season.

Playa Hermosa is also home to a world-famous break in front of the tree known as “El Almendro.” The swells here typically reach 2 to 3 meters (7 to 9 feet) in height, though waves of 13 feet high have been recorded during peak conditions! The largest waves here are Southwest swells during rising tide.

If you’re interested in watching pro surfers than taking on the waves yourself, consider visiting the beach during Quicksilver's International Surf Championships, which are held at Playa Hermosa every year in August. This is the liveliest this beach gets, with hundreds of surfers and spectators from around the globe enjoying the action as the best of the best show off their skills!

Take on Extreme Waterfall Canyoning

Are you a traveler that enjoys a little adventure while exploring a new location? If so, you can’t go wrong with the Extreme Waterfall Canyoning with Lunch tour!

When you reserve this tour, you’ll be treated to views of the rainforest from all new angles. This 3-hour tour includes hiking, a tractor ride through the forest, and of course, rappelling down waterfalls!

The tour starts with a safety demonstration on an auto-guided rappel descent of 250 feet. Then you’ll have the opportunity to get up close to some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the Central Pacific transitional rainforest. Highlights of this true adventure include repelling down the face of a 70-foot waterfall, then descending through the heart of a staggering 150-foot fall!

For those that like to get their adrenaline pumping, we highly recommend this tour. It’s an exhilarating adventure you’ll be telling stories about for years to come!

Try the Chocolate Experience and Plantation Tour

Costa Rica vacations are an excellent opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the country. One of the best ways to do so is by taking the Chocolate Experience and Plantation Tour.

This tour will take you on a 30-minute walk to the Central Pacific Region’s first international cocoa plantation, which has been in operation for decades. A professional guide will teach you about what it takes to grow and harvest cocoa beans, plus the process that turns these crops into chocolate. The plantation tour will also teach you about coffee and sugar cane production.

You can expect to hear about the role that crops like cocoa beans, sugar cane, and coffee have played in Costa Rica’s economy, as well as the global economy. Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in the chocolate making process, and even get to sample some locally made chocolate!

The tour is offered at the plantation daily to visitors looking for anything from a short 2 hour quick tour to a full day 8 hour experience!

Go on a Full-Day Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

Nature lovers won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore the impressive plant and animal life on display at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Manuel Antonio is a protected national park teeming with species that are indigenous and unique to Costa Rica. It spans 7,000 land acres and 136,000 marine acres.

For an in-depth look at the park’s wildlife, the Full-Day Manuel Antonio National Park Tour, includes an experienced tour guide ready to point out all you can see and many things you might miss without the trained eye of an experienced professional.

You can expect the tour to be about 7 hours long. It departs from Jacó, with transportation and lunch included.

Highlights of the tour include a gentle hike through the wilderness of Manuel Antonio that’s perfect for explorers of all skill levels. Your guide will be looking for native species, which include a wide range of monkeys, reptiles, butterflies, sloths, and even big cats. There are more than 100 different species of mammals native to Manuel Antonio National Park and you’ll be on the lookout for as many as possible!

This is also a great tour for birdwatchers! The park is home to over 350 species of birds including rare and endangered species like motmots, toucans, and wild parakeets. If you let the guide know your interest in advance of your arrival, they can be sure to provide professional-grade telescopes for optimal viewing!

In addition to the guided hike, this tour includes a break at one of Manuel Antonio’s secluded beaches. Snorkeling and swimming are popular activities and it’s a great opportunity to dip your toes in the water before hiking back to the park’s entrance.

The Best Hotels Near Playa Hermosa

If at this point you’re sold on Playa Hermosa as the destination for your next Costa Rican adventure, below are some of our favorite places to stay in the area!

Since the town of Playa Hermosa is fairly small, there aren’t many hotels right on the beach. However, you can find plenty of options nearby, especially in Jacó. These include beachside accommodations, luxury resorts, and idyllic boutique hotels.

Check out some of our picks for the best places to stay near Playa Hermosa, North Puntarenas.

Terraza Del Pacifico Hotel

If you want to stay right along Playa Hermosa’s shores, the Terraza Del Pacifico Hotel is an excellent choice!

The hotel is a family-friendly and pet-friendly hotel that’s also perfect for couples. Conveniently located right on the beach, Terraza Del Pacifico Hotel boasts luxurious rooms and an array of tours and activities.

Upscale accommodations like fine dining and beachfront views make Terraza Del Pacifico a popular venue for weddings and other events. During your stay, you can enjoy conveniences like two on-site pools, a wet bar, free high-speed WiFi, a private parking lot, and transportation services.

The Backyard Hotel

Another great option in the area is The Backyard Hotel, one of Playa Hermosa’s premier beachfront hotels. With a stay at the property you’ll get to rest in a well-appointed room overlooking the ocean and fall asleep to the soothing sound of waves right outside your window!

In addition to its picturesque layout, The Backyard Hotel also offers many adventure tours and activities like zip lining and hiking through the jungle. Playa Hermosa’s famous surf is just a short walk away or you can relax with a drink around the oceanfront pool.

The property offers Deluxe rooms and Master Suites. For larger parties, there’s also The Backyard Beach House, a private 5-bedroom beachfront house available for rental.

Reboot Resort

The Reboot Resort is located less than a mile from Playa Hermosa’s shores. The property features thoughtful decoration with native jungle plants, so guests always feel immersed in Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

You can relax in a hammock with a good book, swim in the family pool, and lounge in the expansive suites. The Reboot Resort also offers free WiFi, air conditioning, and a convenient shuttle to and from the San José International Airport (SJO).

Explore the Nearby Beaches

While the village of Playa Hermosa may be small, the beach itself provides more than enough reason to visit! Sunbathe, explore, and surf at the attractive black sand beach.

If you’re looking for a more typical beach town experience, there’s Playa Jacó nearby as well!

Playa Hermosa

As previously mentioned, the main attraction at Playa Hermosa is its surf. However, that’s far from the only reason to visit this magnificent beach.

Playa Hermosa is a black sand beach. This unique black coloration comes from the erosion of basalt rocks, lava, and other volcanic material over many thousands of years. This gives Playa Hermosa a striking appearance that’s excellent for taking photos.

The beach is also fairly large, so there’s plenty of space for strolling along the water’s edge, or setting up beach towels and lounge chairs for sunbathing. Few tourists tend to flock to this beach, but if you’re still looking for a less crowded time to visit, plan your trip for a weekday during high tide.

Since the waves are so large and strong, swimming isn’t recommended here, nor is surfing for beginners. Instead, pop over to Jacó for calmer waters.

Playa Jacó

Playa Jacó is exceptionally popular with tourists. As a result, there are many beachside hotels in town, plus lots of small shops and outdoor eating options. Visitors can explore the local offerings and pick up a few souvenirs before hitting the beach.

Since it’s so popular, it’s not unusual for Playa Jacó to be crowded, especially on weekends during Costa Rica’s dry season. Arrive early or visit during a slower time to ensure you get to set up at a prime spot. Even though the beach has many visitors, it’s almost always pristine.

Near the shore, the waters of Playa Jacó are calm and mostly still. They’re perfect for swimming and snorkeling, or looking for shells that wash up on the beach. However, there can be a strong riptide as you move further out, so young children and beginner swimmers should exercise caution and stay close to the shore.

Tips and Expert Info for Your Trip

Ensure you have the most fun and relaxing trip to Playa Hermosa with these expert travel tips.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

Surfers like to visit Playa Hermosa during the green season, from May to November, as the waves are larger and more consistent. Even if you’re not planning on surfing, visiting North Puntarenas during the green season or a shoulder season is a great way to beat the crowds and get cheaper rates on hotels and tours.

Is it Safe to Swim at Playa Hermosa?

Since the waves are so strong at Playa Hermosa, it’s not considered safe to swim there. Instead, these currents are better suited for surfing. Better swimming conditions can be found at the beaches a few miles to the north, around Jacó.