Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

Overview

With its countless beaches, surf spots, seaside towns, several national parks and reserves, and also its few all-inclusive resorts in the Nicoya Peninsula, the Pacific coast of Costa Rica has become a major tourist destination. While its northern part remains very busy, the south around the Osa Peninsula is still wild. But for how much longer?

Main towns

The Pacific region has two large urban areas: Puntarenas and Liberia, which, rather than tourist centers, are primarily arrival or transit points, whether by air or sea. The coast also has other smaller towns (Nicoya, Quepos, Golfito...) that, like the larger ones, serve mainly as bases for exploring their surroundings rather than as attractions in their own right. There are also a few seaside villages like Montezuma, Tamarindo, and Jaco, long known to backpackers and surfers.

Tourist attractions

Towns and their heritage

Like almost all other towns in the country, those on the Pacific coast have little interest in themselves. For travelers, they are primarily bases, transit points, or simply lively spots.

Beaches and coastline

This is one of the highlights of this coastline, with an abundance of beaches in the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste, as well as scattered along the coast as you head south. In short, plenty of options for all types of visitors and activities, starting, of course, with surfing.

Nature and activities

This is the other major attraction, even if the offerings are less extensive and varied than in the central part of Costa Rica. Still, there’s plenty to choose from, from north to south: the vast Guanacaste Conservation Area, which includes several parks; the Carara National Park, known for its birds and also its crocodiles; the Manuel Antonio, which remains one of the country’s most visited (and rightly so); and the Corcovado, which, though one of the least accessible parks, is among the most rewarding in terms of landscapes, wildlife, and hiking opportunities.

Climate