Best beaches to visit around San Jose, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to some of the planet’s most impressive natural landscapes – and its breathtaking beaches are no exception. The capital city, San Jose, may be in the centre of the country, but some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular shorelines are just a few hours away. Intrigued? Read on to discover the best beaches to visit around San Jose.

What are the best beaches around San Jose?

Whether you’re yearning for awesome surf adventures or blissful relaxation on sugary sand, in Costa Rica, it’s possible to combine a city stay with a visit to a beachy paradise. 

Take your pick from easy-to-access Playa Jaco, with it's sublime sand and lively social scene, through to national park gems with notable Costa Rica wildlife (hello, Playa Manuel Antonio!)

It's fair to say, the best beaches around San Jose are nothing but diverse, and all the following can be reached by car or bus in under five hours. 

Trust us, they’re worth the drive, and visiting some of them is among the very best things to do in Costa Rica.

What to explore more of the country? Read up on getting around Costa Rica, and discover Costa Rica's best beaches.

1. Playa Jaco

Proximity to San Jose: Approximately 98km; 1.5 hour drive

Jaco — the closest beach town to San Jose — is famous for two things: its picture-perfect beach, Playa Jaco, and its vibrant nightlife. 

The dark golden beach here is 3km long, flanked by deep blue water on one side and lush rainforest on the other. In fact, to stand on Jaco’s sand is to be immersed in nature — it’s not unusual to see scarlet macaws passing overhead, or monkeys chasing each other through the trees. 

For surfing, head to the southern part of the beach.

Thinking of basing yourself in San Jose? Discover the best San Jose hotels.

2. Playa Manuel Antonio

Proximity to San Jose: Approximately 150km; 3 hour drive on mostly flat highways. A 4x4 is not necessary

Playa Manuel Antonio is one of the most picturesque - and therefore most popular - beaches in Costa Rica. 

It’s located in the country’s most famous national park, Manuel Antonio National Park, which happens to be one of the best national parks in Costa Rica, and one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica, period.

The beach itself is a 30-minute walk from the park’s entrance, and a place of pure white sand surrounded by tropical jungle that’s home to some of the planet’s most diverse collection of animal and plant life. 

As you trek through the national park to reach the beach, be prepared to meet frogs, sloths and monkeys on the way.

Once at the beach, explore tidal pools that are home to tropical fish and sea urchin. Surf, snorkel over the coral reef or simply sit back and marvel in the area’s astonishing biodiversity.

Keen to uncover this gem? Discover the best Manuel Antonio National Park tours.

3. Playa Hermosa

Proximity to San Jose: 240km; 4 hours by car or 45 minutes by plane

One of the most beautiful and best beaches in Guanacaste, on the South Pacific coast, Playa Hermosa is arguably the most interesting beach near San Jose. 

If you enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving or fishing, you won’t want to leave. Quieter and more secluded than some of the other beaches close to the capital, Playa Hermosa also boasts heartbreakingly beautiful sunsets. 

The beach town is also on the up, with new restaurants, bars and shops opening in recent years.

Going to Guanacaste? Do a deeper dive into the best beaches in Guanacaste.

4. Playa Blanca

Proximity to San Jose: Approximately 230km; 4 hours by car

As the name suggests, Playa Blanca is home to an expanse of pristine white sand. It’s one of the few truly white sand beaches in Costa Rica and this alone makes it well worth a visit.

The beach, on the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, also boasts clear turquoise waters. It’s a haven for swimmers, sun-worshippers and lovers of water sports. 

Given that the lush green vegetation that envelops the beach adds more than a touch of tranquillity, this is one of the best beaches to visit around San Jose for a serene vive.

Short on time, but big on ambition? Explore our 5 days in Costa Rica itinerary.

5. Playa Conchal

Proximity to San Jose: Approximately 196km; 4 hours by car; 5-6 hours by bus

Seen one beach, seen them all? Playa Conchal, on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a unique stretch of shoreline that will make you think again. 

The sand here is made up of thousands of tiny crushed shells, giving the beach an iridescent appearance. And, despite being made from shells, the sand is soft to the touch.

Travelers seeking a sophisticated stay will love it here. Surrounded by natural beauty, Playa Conchal boasts a number of upscale resorts and hotels a stone’s throw from the beach.

Insider tips: the waves are terrific for surfing, but they can be strong, so take care, especially if you’re traveling with children.

6. Playa Flamingo

Proximity to San Jose: Approximately 261km; 5 hours by car

Don’t let the name fool you; you’re unlikely to ever encounter a flamingo here. Instead, Playa Flamingo is a spectacular crescent of soft sand which remains blissfully undeveloped. 

Although the promise of relaxing on the white sand is enough of a reason to visit, there’s plenty to do here in the way of activities. Underwater enthusiasts will jump at the chance to take a diving tour to the nearby Catalina islands, where it’s not unusual to come face-to-face with a reef shark. 

For a day of fun on the water, Catamaran tours depart from Playa Flamingo to nearby Sugar Beach and Potrero.

Fishing charters are available too. The waters here are home to sailfish, marlin and snapper, to name a few. 

If that wasn't enough, a short drive away, at Playa Grande, is Las Baulas National Marine Park — one of the world’s leading nesting sites for leatherback turtles. 

Nesting season runs from mid-October to mid-February and promises an unforgettable experience, especially if you're visiting Costa Rica with kids. 

Keen to visit Costa Rica? Wise up with our guide to when to go to Costa Rica, and our Costa Rica travel tips, with personal advice on how to plan a trip to Costa Rica shared by our content manager.

Meanwhile, our Costa Rica itineraries are loaded with inspirational ideas to kickstart your planning journey. if you don't enjoy planning, talk you our local Costa Rica travel experts.