Last Updated: October 7, 2022
One of the best places in Costa Rica’s popular Guanacaste Province to relax and unwind is Playa Hermosa. This small community draws repeat visitors year after year with its gorgeous beach and peaceful charm. Although its location makes Playa Hermosa feel somewhat isolated, the small but well developed town offers many amenities. You’ll find upscale dining steps from the sand and varied accommodations, including condos, timeshares, vacation rentals, and small hotels. In this post, we’ll share what you need to plan your visit to this beautiful beach town.
Location
Playa Hermosa, which translates to Beautiful Beach, is located in northern Guanacaste Province. Keep in mind that Costa Rica has several beaches named Playa Hermosa, including near Jaco, Santa Teresa, and Uvita. The one we are covering here is in Guanacaste on the northern Pacific coast. Liberia International is the closest airport, at about 30 minutes away.
Playa Hermosa Guanacaste (sometimes called Playa Hermosa GTE) sits between two points that divide it from the lively town of Playas del Coco to the south and Playa Panama to the north. It is situated in a valley with much of the real estate development in the surrounding hills.
The town has two main roads where many businesses are located. The first and second entrances, as people refer to them, run perpendicular to the beach. There are also some businesses spread out along the main road to town and on the road closest to the ocean.
Hermosa is fairly concentrated, so no matter where you are, you’ll be a walk or short drive to everything.
About Playa Hermosa
This small town is popular for those looking to relax in a tranquil setting.
Playa Hermosa is seldom crowded and it is almost always possible to find your own spot on the sand. The destination tends to draw families who come for the calm ocean waters, as well as groups taking advantage of the vacation rentals and condos.
Although Playa Hermosa has a good selection of restaurants, it does not have much nightlife. You can find a party scene in Playas del Coco, though, which is only a short cab ride away.
Activities in Playa Hermosa
From Playa Hermosa, you can organize all the usual tours out of Guanacaste. Zip lining, ATV, horseback riding, and catamaran tours are possible.
Farther inland, you can find more day trips that lead to waterfalls, hot springs and mud baths, and wildlife rehabilitation centers.
National parks within a couple of hours’ drive are Las Baulas National Marine Park (seasonal turtle watching), Rincon de la Vieja (volcanic features), Palo Verde (river boat tours), Santa Rosa (hiking and site of historic battle), and Lomas Barbudal (off-the-beaten-path reserve with a river and waterfall). We’ll cover some of these in more detail below.
Beaches and Water Sports
The main attraction in Playa Hermosa is its light gray sand beach. This wide cove stretches about 1.2 miles (2 km) and has lots of palm and figs trees for shade.
Swimming and water sports like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and banana boat rides are popular things to do at Playa Hermosa.
The Gulf of Papagayo just beyond the bay is also full of marine life. Sport fishing, snorkeling, and diving are especially good. The best diving is at the Catalina and Bat Islands where it is possible to see manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, and bull sharks.
Just around the point from Playa Hermosa is a little-known beach that we absolutely love called Playa Penca. This is a small cove with light tan sand and clear turquoise water. It is a good spot to just soak up the sun, but also has a reef with some awesome snorkeling. We have seen a lot of fish not far from shore, including pufferfish, needle-nose fish, and spotted eagle rays.
For more information about visiting Playa Penca, read our post, Playa Penca: A Gorgeous Hidden Beach in Guanacaste.
Catamaran Tour
Catamaran tours are a fun way to take in the scenery along the Guanacaste coastline. Boats leave from Playas del Coco and take you up the coast to a calm cove for some time to swim and snorkel. Most tours are a half day and include food and drinks.
Eco-Adventure Park
A great activity with kids is the nearby eco-adventure park, Diamante.
This has an elaborate wildlife sanctuary with monkeys, sloths, toucans, and big cats that you can view close up in nicely maintained enclosures. The sanctuary provides a home for these animals that have been injured in the wild or confiscated from the illegal pet trade and are unable to be released back into the wild.
The park also has zip lining and some fun cultural activities like a coffee/sugar cane/chocolate tour. Different packages are available depending on what you’re interested in.
Boat Tour of Palo Verde National Park
A national park within a reasonable drive that is definitely worth visiting is Palo Verde. This park encompasses both land and water, but tours typically explore the wetlands of the Tempisque River.
We have done this tour with our two kids and it was excellent. On a comfortable covered boat, a guide will lead you along the river to see wildlife like monkeys, crocodiles, and many kinds of birds. We highly recommend one of the tours that will take you to a farm in the countryside after for a traditional meal cooked over a wood stove.
For more information and help booking this experience, read our post Palo Verde National Park: A Wildlife Tour Through Guanacaste’s Wetlands.
Restaurant Recommendations in Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa has a small, but satisfying, dining scene. Here are some of our favorite restaurants.
Ginger
A longstanding favorite in Playa Hermosa, Ginger offers refined tapas that are full of flavor. Many dishes are Asian or Indian inspired, but they also incorporate traditional ingredients like local fish. Some of our favorite small plates are the ginger rolls with poached salmon, spicy chicken samosas, and Thai red curry beef on plantains. Ginger is a romantic spot with a modern, candle-lit outdoor dining area. Just after the second entrance on the inland side.
Roberto’s
Roberto’s is located inside La Gaviota Tropical Hotel on the beach. From the outdoor patio or tables set up on the sand, you can take in the beautiful view or watch the sun sink into the Pacific. Roberto’s has a basic bocas (snack) menu as well as rice dishes, burgers, and sandwiches. Their dinner menu features entrees like shrimp with avocado, Caribbean chicken, and tuna steak. Second entrance, on the beach.
La Casita del Marisco
As the name implies, La Casita del Marisco (the House of Seafood) specializes in delicacies of the sea. They have big seafood platters for sharing and dishes with jumbo shrimp, mahi-mahi, squid, and local lobster. You also can find traditional Costa Rican dishes and a few steak and chicken options for the non-seafood eaters.
The best thing about La Casita del Marisco is the view. The restaurant is right on the water and has an amazing ocean view. Second entrance, on the beach.
Restaurante Niromi By Hotel Bosque del Mar
Playa Hermosa doesn’t have a ton of restaurants so it’s worth visiting this one located at the upscale Hotel Bosque del Mar. Restaurant Niromi is open to the public for three meals a day and also has a tapas menu. They offer refined dishes like bourbon tenderloin, caprese chicken, and an assortment of fresh seafood dishes. The outdoor restaurant has a nice ocean view. First entrance to the beach.
Soda Hermosa
For simple, yet delicious traditional Costa Rican cuisine, head to Soda Hermosa. Soda Hermosa serves up hearty breakfasts and lunches. They offer gallo pinto (a breakfast dish of rice and beans) four ways, including one vegetarian option, breakfast quesadillas, soups, ceviches, traditional rice dishes, and many lunch plates. The quality is good. Tortillas are homemade and you also can get fresh chorreadas (corn tortillas served with sour cream). Second entrance, near the main road.
Hotel Recommendations in Playa Hermosa
Hotel Mangaby
We’ve stayed at this small, family-run hotel right in the middle of town before and enjoyed it. Hotel Mangaby has simple, but spacious and extremely clean, rooms with A/C and hot water. Rooms overlook the gorgeous pool, which is quite large and surrounded by lush gardens. The small restaurant serves a made-to-order traditional breakfast. Hotel Mangaby is popular with visitors and you’re likely to see locals there as well. Double room, $90-250. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Hotel Condovac
If you’re looking for more of a resort setting, consider Club and Hotel Condovac. This is a larger complex on the northern end of the beach that offers condo-style accommodations with kitchenettes. The facility is a bit dated, but very affordable. Condovac is situated on a steep hill so has nice ocean views. The two-bedroom villas are good for families and groups. Villas, $100-550. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Hotel Bosque del Mar
This beautiful upscale hotel is in a prime location on the beach. Suites are big, clean, and comfortable, with separate living areas. The property has many mature trees, which draw wildlife like monkeys, iguanas, and hummingbirds. Bosque del Mar is good for couples, but also families and groups because some suites can be connected. Located on the quieter southern end of the beach. We loved our stay here. $280-500. Check Rates and Availability Here.
La Gaviota Tropical
La Gaviota Tropical is another option for a higher-end stay. This cozy boutique hotel is right on the beach in the center of town. It has just five rooms with configurations ranging from a family room with a queen bed and bunk beds to a multi-room oceanfront suite for couples. One of the best features is the small rooftop pool. $125-300. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Conclusion
Playa Hermosa is the perfect destination to spend a week relaxing on the beach or to close out an action-packed vacation. Although small, it has enough to keep you busy and plenty of restaurants to excite your pallet. We can see why so many people return year after year.
Last Updated: October 7, 2022
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Looking for more information to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination – La Fortuna is home to the mighty Arenal Volcano and is commonly paired with destinations in Guanacaste like Playa Hermosa. This post has everything you need to plan your visit.
Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go – Playa Hermosa is a drive from most activities so having a car is recommended. See our tips before you hit the road and look for our rental car discount too!
Monteverde: A Forest in the Clouds – Another popular place to pair with Guanacaste destinations is the misty mountain town of Monteverde. Bring your jacket for this one as temps are much cooler than at the beach.
