I’ve always believed that the best beaches aren’t the ones with the most Instagram tags — they’re the ones where you can hear your own breath between the crashing waves. Costa Rica, a country I return to again and again, is known for its postcard-perfect coastline. But what keeps pulling me back are the hidden beaches — the quiet, unspoiled stretches of sand that locals whisper about and maps tend to overlook.
These are the places where you don’t fight for towel space, where the jungle presses right up to the sea, and time moves at the speed of the tide. Let me share five of my favorite lesser-known beaches in Costa Rica — the ones that feel like secrets.
1. Playa Arco – Uvita
This one’s a true treasure, but you have to earn it.
Tucked inside Marino Ballena National Park, Playa Arco requires a short hike through lush jungle and a careful eye on the tides (it’s only accessible at low tide). Once you step out onto the sand, though, it feels like you’ve walked into a dream. There are caves to explore, gentle waves, and usually no more than a handful of people — if any. I brought a book here and didn’t open it once. The silence was enough.
2. Playa Barrigona – Near Sámara
Most tourists breeze past this one, especially since it’s down a bumpy dirt road outside Sámara on the Nicoya Peninsula. But ask a local — they know.
Playa Barrigona is wild and raw. The surf can be strong, but the view? Absolutely breathtaking. When I visited, I walked the entire beach and didn’t see another person. Just driftwood, pelicans, and a golden stretch of sand backed by jungle. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how small and lucky you are.
3. Playa Cocolito – Montezuma
If you’re staying near Montezuma, take a hike south along the coast trail. After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Playa Cocolito — a black-sand beach with a freshwater waterfall spilling right into the ocean.
Yes, a waterfall on the beach.
Locals use the waterfall to rinse off after a dip in the ocean, and the jungle trail leading to the beach is half the adventure. I remember cooling off under that waterfall after the hike and thinking, “Why doesn’t anyone talk about this place?”
4. Playa Zapotillal – Guanacaste
North of the busier Playa Conchal and Tamarindo beaches lies this quiet gem.
Zapotillal is all soft sand and calm vibes — perfect for reading, napping, or letting the waves lap at your feet for hours. No vendors, no loud music, just you and the horizon. I spoke to a local fisherman who told me this was his favorite beach for “thinking.” I couldn’t have said it better.
5. Playa San Josecito – Osa Peninsula
Accessible by boat or by foot (if you’re up for a solid hike), this beach is worth every ounce of effort.
Tucked away near Drake Bay, Playa San Josecito is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or simply being. The water is crystal-clear and the palm trees provide just enough shade to stretch out and lose track of time. I floated in the bay for what felt like hours, watching tropical fish dance beneath me. No resorts, no crowds — just nature, uninterrupted.
Final Thoughts
If you’re headed to Costa Rica, don’t stop at the guidebook favorites. Talk to locals. Rent a car. Follow the dirt roads. Some of the most meaningful travel memories I’ve made started with curiosity and ended with sand in my shoes from beaches I almost didn’t find.
These hidden beaches reminded me that the best places aren’t always the loudest. They’re often the quiet coves, the low-tide entries, and the ones without cell service. And that’s the point.
Love, just add water.
