Costa Rica as the name suggests in Spanish, means a country that has got rich coasts. If you are planning to go to visit any one of the rich coasts of Costa Rica, then you should be considering which side of the country to choose.
You see, when talking about the best beaches in Costa Rica, the country has two sides. One side is facing the Pacific Ocean. The other side faces the Caribbean Sea.
Pacific Side Coastal Beaches v/s Caribbean Side Coastal Beaches
To begin, both the sides have jaw dropping beaches to visit. The only difference that you would find is when it comes to culture, geographical position, weather, the type of convenience that you would find. In the end, it all squares down to what you are looking for. Here are some key points to look out for when you are confused as to which beach would be best for your holiday:
1. Type of Accommodation
Pacific side beaches are all about high rise condo towers, all-inclusive resorts, and large international hotel chains. This you will not find in the Caribbean side, which has mainly bungalows and villas hiding in a lush jungle, enveloping a picturesque beach with tall palm trees, soft tan sand, and bright turquoise water.
2. The Whether
Pacific coasts follow a typical dry and rainy tropical season that extends from the end of April to the beginning of December and from the beginning of May to the end of November. October and November are the rainiest months, while March and April are the hottest months. The Caribbean coast on the other hand, do not follow a dry-rainy season weather pattern. The weather here is much more humid weather and it can rain here all day long. Here the rainiest months are from June to November, while the summer months are September and October.
Having given you some of the common and typical things to consider when wondering which side to visit, here are some wonderful beach destinations that people talk about –
1. Tortuguero, Caribbean Side
Known as the Costa Rican version of the Amazon rainforest, the Tortuguero dominates the northern coast of the country. A sunny weather is rare here for it rains here most of the time. In addition to this, the currents are strong and sharks roam the waters. The biggest attraction, especially during the months April and May, is the number of turtles that visit to nest along the shoreline. The place is great for adventures such as doing wildlife photography, going on hiking or canal cruises.
2. Conchal Beach, Pacific Side
An ideal destination for honeymooners and couples, the Conchal beach is best known for its beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing atmosphere. Another thing about this beach is that the beach is completely covered in millions of pink and white seashells. This is a great beach if you are looking around for some activities like jet skiing, snorkeling, sailing, fishing. Besides, the outstanding resorts here will make your stay even more memorable.
3. Puerto Viejo, Caribbean Side
This is called the region’s main hub or the backpacker’s central and it is easy to get sucked into the party life mode. Puerto Viejo is a rocking seaside town with beaches everywhere and tons of good restaurants. The town has a Caribbean feel that is liked by many, and you will find more Caribbeans wandering the streets than Spaniards.
4. Playa Portrero and Flamingo Beach
Located in Guanacaste, the Playa Flamingo is a stunning destination with many secluded spots and pink and white sands. You will find many fun activities to do here such as fishing, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving. But another attraction about this beach is that it offers sunset cruising, which could be a romantic idea for couples and families.
Costa Rica is full of other beautiful beaches to talk about. Listing them all in this one page article would not be enough. However, let’s hope I could provide you enough factors to decide whether you would like to visit the Pacific-Side facing or the Caribbean-Side facing beaches.
