Playa Hermosa

Grey-sand Playa Hermosa, 5km south of Jacó, has long been a playground for hotshot surfers. Pummelled by powerful waves, the 10km-long strip rivals Dominical for having the most consistent beach breaks on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Plan your trip to Playa Hermosa with our guide to Playa Hermosa — based on the The Rough Guide to Costa Rica, your travel guide for Costa Rica.

The best travel tips for visiting Playa Hermosa

Given its proximity to Jacó, it was inevitable that the development craze would reach here, too, and condos have gradually colonized the beachfront.

That said, the area is being sold as a smarter version of Jacó — a coastal getaway without the noise, pollution, drugs and sex work prevalent in its neighbour.

Beyond the beach and surfing, Playa Hermosa harbours a few natural attractions. Plus Jaco is close enough if you fancy more nightlife action, and adventure excursions.

Top attractions and things to do in Playa Hermosa

#1 Enjoy serious surf experiences

Playa Hermosa is definitely not a beach for a casual dip (the riptides here are formidable), nor for novice surfers.

Steep sand bars cause waves to break hard, fast and close to the shore, most impressively between May and August. You'll find the best breakers in front of Terraza del Pacifico and the Backyard Hotel.

On Friday and Saturday afternoons, you can watch how it should be done, when local surfers and gung-ho visitors tackle the waves as part of the Backyard Surf Series competition.

It kicks off at 4pm, and is free to enter, with a top prize of US $3500.

If beaches are your bag, you might want to read up on the best beaches in Costa Rica.

#2 Go zip-lining

Handily located between Jacó and Playa Hermosa, Chiclets Zipline offer exhilarating two-hour experiences through lush tree-tops. 

With sixteen platforms and fourteen cables — the longest of which is 300 meters — you’ll zip through the canopy at up to 30mph. 

Due to its location — where a mountain reaches down to the ocean — the experience affords epic vistas of lush rainforest vegetation and the coastline. 

Travelling with kids? The minimum age is five, and staff are proud of the way they cater for younger visitors.   

#3 Watch wildlife

Further south of the hotel strip, the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa y Punta Mala protects a nesting site for olive ridley turtles.

These come ashore to lay their eggs between August and December.

While this is off-limits to the public, you can visit the turtle hatchery at the ranger station — a gridded block of beach being used to monitor the species’ reproduction rates in this part of the Pacific.

#4 Take a rainforest canopy tour

5km northeast of Jacó, Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific lets you view the rainforest canopy from the surrounds of a slow-moving gondola. Prices include free transport from Jacó and Playa Hermosa. 

The ride lasts an hour, and the entry price includes access to nature trails and a serpentarium. To quicken the pace, combine the ride with a ten-cable canopy tour — the “Tranopy Tour”.

Nature-lovers can also hit the trails with a guide before taking a closer look at the canopy dwellers from the comfort of the tram. 

Love natural attractions and getting active in the great outdoors? Read up on the best hikes in Costa Rica. Chances are, you'll also love our customisable Costa Rica Eco Adventure trip.  

#5 Explore Playas Esterillos

South of Playa Hermosa, some 25km from Jacó, palm-fringed Playas Esterillos fulfils the archetypal image of a tropical paradise beach. 

This long wedge of chocolate-brown sands is backed by jungle, and stretches into the spray-shrouded distance, Rocks and river split the coastline into three sections, each accessed by a different side-road off the Costanera Sur. 

The most attractive beaches are Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este, 3km apart by road. The waves that pummel Esterillos’ shores break further out than at Jacó and Playa Hermosa.  

Like Hermosa, this will appeal to more advanced surfers than those who ride the rollers further north.

Best areas to stay in Playa Hermosa

In good news if you’re travelling on a budget, Playa Hermosa has a few recommended hostels and surf camps that are affordable, surf-oriented, and very welcoming.  

The cheapest option on the strip is Cabinas Brisas del Mar. Just south of the football field, this hostel buzzes with friendly surfers who congregate in the outdoor communal kitchen to cook after a hard day battling Hermosa’s tubes.  

If you have a bigger budget, check-out the beach bungalow options, such as Surf Inn Hermosa. Bungalows typically sleep up to six people, and packages including surf lessons and transportation are available.

Mention must be made of Backyard Hotel. With a swimming pool, private balconies and one of Hermosa’s best surf breaks on your doorstep, this is the top choice for surfers with money. 

Note that lots of accommodation options have a minimum three-night stay rule.

Browse places to stay in Playa Hermosa.

Best restaurants and bars in Playa Hermosa

From upscale eateries serving fine international fusion fare, to beach bars dishing up burgers, Playa Hermosa’s food scene is becoming increasingly diverse. 

Unsurprisingly, fish features heavily. Expect the likes of tangy ceviche, coconut shrimp, and catch of the day grilled to perfection. There are also a few Italian restaurants and pizzerias.

On a budget? Playa Hermosa isn’t short of sodas serving filling casados and tacos.

Recommended restaurants and bars in Playa Hermosa

• Backyard Bar and Restaurant: a great spot to watch the sun set over happy-hour drinks. 
• Las Olas Restaurant: young surfers congregate beneath the palm-fringed roof of this beachfront restaurant.

Find out more about eating and drinking in Costa Rica.

How to get around Playa Hermosa

It’s easy enough to get around Playa Hermosa on foot. Most bars, restaurants and activities can be found along the main strip, or just behind it.

Many hotels and guest houses also have bikes to rent, and can advise about scooter rental.

In addition, an hourly local bus service runs from Jacó, and taxis are easily found in town.

How many days do you need in Playa Hermosa?

Committed surfers will be rewarded by spending at least a 4-5 days in Playa Hermosa. In that time, you can find your footing, and find the best spots, and have time to come back for more waves.

Beyond having world-class surfing and zip-lining right on your doorstep in Playa Hermosa itself, with Jacó just up the road you'll find plenty to do at all hours of the day and night.

For example, when you've had your fill of Playa Hermosa, book a exhilarating kayaking or sailing trip from Jacó. You could also take a diving course here, and head to the rainforest for a canopy tour.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Check our Costa Rica itineraries, or talk to our Costa Rica experts. 

What is the best time to visit Playa Hermosa?

Hardcore surfers will want to visit Playa Hermosa in the rainy season, especially between May and August. At this time, steep sandbars cause waves to break hard, fast and close to the Playa Hermosa shoreline.

With that in mind, novices and non-surfers should note that this is not a place to come for a swim during the rainy season months. In fact, with formidable rip currents, Hermosa is not a beach for casual dips at any time. 

If you want a top wildlife-watching experience, visit Playa Hermosa between August and December. This is when olive ridley turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

For more on the best time to visit different destinations in Costa Rica, read our guide to when to go to Costa Rica.

How to get to Playa Hermosa

By bus

You can get to Playa Hermosa from Jacó by catching a Quepos-bound bus (8 daily; 15min from Jacó). Just ask the driver to let you off close to your hotel anywhere along Hwy-34.

By taxi

Taxis from Jacó are easy to arrange and cost around US$15–20.

For more transportation tips, read our guide to getting around Costa Rica.

Looking for more inspiration? Read up on the best things to do in Costa Rica, and get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Costa Rica. Our Costa Rica travel tips will also help you plan your trip.

Not keen on planning? You'll love our customisable Costa Rica itineraries.

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Featured Image, Playa Hermosa © Celbru / Shutterstock