At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- 10–15 minutes north of central Santa Teresa; about 20 minutes from the Playa Carmen crossroads on the dirt road
- From the airports
- San José airport (SJO): about 6 hours via the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry. Liberia airport (LIR): 4½–5½ hours. Cóbano airport (ACO): about 40 minutes
- Swimming
- The south end has a sandy bottom and milder waves, good for a swim on calm days; currents are strong toward the north end
- Best for
- Families, quiet couples and anyone taking a first surf lesson
- Facilities
- Few buildings on the beach; a supermarket and a handful of hotels and rental homes nearby. More in Santa Teresa
- Getting there
- North along the mostly unpaved beach road from Santa Teresa
- Surf
- Easy beach breaks: the area's usual spot for beginner lessons
Where is this Playa Hermosa?
Right next door to Santa Teresa. In fact, it’s hard to tell where one beach ends and the other begins. Playa Hermosa gets far fewer visitors than its busier neighbor to the south. There’s little development along the shore, so finding a quiet spot under a palm tree or beside a big rock is easy.
Can you swim at Playa Hermosa?
Yes, on calm days. The south end is the gentler part, with a sandy bottom and milder waves, and it’s a good spot for a swim and a snorkel. Toward the north end the currents get stronger. Always check conditions before you go in, stay close to shore and keep children within reach, as with any Pacific beach.
It’s also a lovely place to sunbathe, read or go for a run. Palm and almendro trees give you some shade, the sunsets are superb, and Santa Teresa is close by when you need supplies.
Is Playa Hermosa good for a first surf lesson?
It’s the area’s usual beginner beach, with easy beach breaks that go left and right, so it’s where most surf schools take first-timers, kids and teens. See surfing near Santa Teresa.
Where to stay nearby
A few hotels and rental homes sit right on this beach. Where to stay in Playa Hermosa
Want to compare the other beaches first?
More about Beaches in and around Malpais
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Playa Hermosa near Santa Teresa?
Yes, on calm days, especially toward the south end, where the bottom is sandy and the waves are milder. Currents are stronger toward the north end, and as on most Costa Rican beaches there's no lifeguard to count on, so stay close to shore.
Is Playa Hermosa good for kids?
It's one of the better family beaches on the Santa Teresa side: wide, quiet and uncrowded, with gentler waves at the south end and the area's beginner surf lessons for older kids and teens. Keep little ones close in the water. See Santa Teresa with kids.
How far is Playa Hermosa from Santa Teresa?
About 10 to 15 minutes north of central Santa Teresa by car, or around 20 minutes from the Playa Carmen crossroads on the dirt beach road.
Is Playa Hermosa good for sunsets?
Yes. It faces west over the open Pacific, and with so few people on the sand it's one of the most peaceful places to watch the sun go down.
Is this the same Playa Hermosa as in Guanacaste?
No. Costa Rica has several beaches called Playa Hermosa. This one is just north of Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. The others are near Playas del Coco in Guanacaste and near Jacó on the Central Pacific.
Where should we stay near Playa Hermosa?
A few hotels and rental homes sit right on or near the beach, and north Santa Teresa, next door, is one of the quieter areas to stay. See where to stay in Playa Hermosa.