Are There Any Private Beaches in Costa Rica?

The Public Zone extends 164 feet (50 meters) inland from the high tide line of the water. Within this area, no construction or development is permitted, with few exceptions granted to pre-existing structures built before the law's enactment in 1977 or public facilities. This zone serves as a buffer, preserving the beaches in their natural state as much as possible, free from human-built intrusions. This zone is inalienable, meaning it cannot be sold or titled to private individuals. It's essentially public property for everyone to use and enjoy.

The Maritime Zone extends an additional 492 feet (150 meters) inland from the outer limit of the Public Zone. While development is permitted within this area, it is strictly regulated by the government to ensure responsible and sustainable practices. This zone is still owned by the state, but local municipalities manage it. Individuals or companies can lease this land for a set period (usually 20 years) through a concession. These concessions allow development for residential, commercial, tourism projects, or environmental protection. Most beachfront hotels and resorts in Costa Rica are found within the Maritime Zone, strategically set back from the shoreline to maintain the natural beauty and public access to the beaches themselves.

There are a number of rationales behind this zoning system. Firstly, it stems from a deep-rooted belief in Costa Rica that the nation's natural resources are a shared heritage that should be preserved for the enjoyment of current and future generations. By preventing privatization and limiting development, the law safeguards Costa Rica’s beaches from potential exploitation and ensures their accessibility as much as possible.

The Maritime Zone Law also recognizes the cultural and economic significance of beaches for local communities. Many coastal towns and villages in Costa Rica have long-standing traditions and livelihoods tied to the ocean, like fishing, tourism, and recreation. Ensuring public access to beaches protects these traditional ways of life and supports the economic well-being of beach communities.

Most Costa Ricans take pride in their country's commitment to environmental preservation and public access to natural resources. As such, the Maritime Zone Law enjoys widespread support and popularity. Any criticism of the system tends to come from foreign investors who haven’t done their homework properly. Most of these investors will end up in another county where coastlines are not this protected.

The luxurious Four Seasons Resort sits on a spit of land at the end of the Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste, with two beaches on either side. They are only accessible by land through the resort, and the vast majority of people who use these beaches are guests of the hotel.

Located on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, Tango Mar is one of the few truly beachfront hotels in Costa Rica. If you’re on this beach, chances are you’re staying at this hotel.

A remote jungle eco-lodge, Playa Nicuesa sits on the shore of Golfo Dulce in the far south of Costa Rica. This hotel is only accessible by boat from Golfito or Puerto Jimenez. It feels like as much of a private beach as you can get.

Playa Cativo is also on the Golfo Dulce and accessible only by boat. It has about a mile of beach in front of it, perfect for swimming, kayaking in the calm waters, and sunbathing.

Although the beach at Dreams Las Mareas (called El Jobo) is popular with locals, its remote location in the far north of Guanacaste still means that most people here are guests at the hotel.

Nandel Beach Resort is located in the same remote area of northern Guancaste as Dreams Las Mareas, but on the shores of Bahia Salinas, one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in the world.

Arenas del Mar sits on one of Manuel Antonio’s most hard-to-reach beaches, Las Playitas. Well, we say “hard-to-reach,” but not if you’re staying here! This is one of the only hotels with direct beach access in the Manuel Antonio area.

Located inside Santa Rosa National Park, Playa Naranjo is better known as Witch's Rock, one of Costa Rica’s top surfing beaches. Getting here requires a 4x4 vehicle or boat (we recommend a boat over driving, especially in the rainy season). The waves are strongest during high tide, with powerful rights and tight lefts year-round.

The nearest accommodations are in Tamarindo, Playa Grande, or Playa del Coco, although it’s possible to camp in the national park during the dry season. Boat charters cost around $200 for a private trip or less if splitting with a group. Entering Santa Rosa National Park requires checking in at ranger stations and paying modest fees. The remoteness of Witch's Rock makes it a prime surf destination, but planning ahead is essential to access this beach.

Playa Avellana is a beautiful beach about 30 minutes south of Tamarindo with rocky tide pools and white sand. There are no shops, just a few hotels, cabinas, and the popular beach bar Lola's. Avellana's main draw is world-class surfing year-round. Swells come from both hemispheres, providing varying breaks. Beginners should stick to the northern El Parqueo area with mellower waves. Experts head to the southern side, known as Little Hawaii, for huge 18-foot waves from December to April. The outer reef also offers big waves for daring paddleboarders.

No public transit runs to Avellana, requiring a 30-45 minute drive from Tamarindo or Playa Grande. A 4x4 vehicle is recommended, though roads have improved. The remoteness provides an unspoiled beach experience focused on surfing in pristine conditions away from crowds.

There are four ways to get to Playa Cocolito, an isolated beach near Montezuma: hiking, climbing, on horseback, or by boat. Located at the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula, this beach is inaccessible by car. If you’re staying in Montezuma itself, you have to take a beautiful scenic hike or horseback ride north, past Playa Colorado and Playa Grande, to find this deserted tropical beach. It is truly away from crowds, and this is saying a lot in a part of Costa Rica that never sees crowds anyway.

It can also be accessed from the public road to Tango Mar by walking south. This is easily the closest place to stay, about a 20-minute walk away from Cocolito. You can climb over the El Chorro Waterfall to find yourself at the northern end of the beach.

However you get here, you’ll find a long, empty coastline with just a couple of small shacks hidden in the nearby trees. The only other people you’ll see are occasional fellow hikers or horseback riding groups heading to the waterfall.

The waterfall itself is a reason to come. It’s one of those rare treasures where a freshwater waterfall cascades directly into the ocean—a spectacular spot to spend a few hours away from it all. For those seeking seclusion and pristine natural beauty, the journey to reach remote Playa Cocolito is well worth the effort.

If you’re staying in the Nosara area and want to get away from Playa Guiones, where most people are, then head south to Playa Garza, a crescent-shaped white sand beach that manages to elude most tourists. With strikingly blue and calm waters, laid-back Garza provides ideal conditions for swimming, relaxing under palm trees, and stringing up hammocks.

The clear waters also make Garza one of the best spots for snorkeling in the region dominated by surfing. Rocky headlands create a natural harbor, drawing snorkelers, divers, kayakers, and paddle boarders. There’s a restaurant and store here, and not much else aside from some fishing charter boats sheltering in the bay.

For those seeking the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, the relaxed pace and natural beauty of Playa Garza provides an authentic taste of Costa Rican beach life.

Playa Bejuco is part of the Esterillos area, a collection of beaches on the Central Pacific coast, between the popular tourist destinations of Jacó and Manuel Antonio. Despite being overlooked by many visitors, Playa Bejuco offers an appealing location for those seeking a less crowded and potentially more affordable base.

The community of Bejuco consists of a short main road leading from the coastal highway directly to the beach, lined with a few residential developments, small hotels, and a convenience store. The road ends at a long stretch of gray sand beach with palm trees providing shade. While strong currents make swimming inadvisable, Playa Bejuco is suitable for wading, boogie boarding, and surfing.

While not a major tourist hub itself, Playa Bejuco draws many local visitors on weekends and holidays as they look forward to relaxing, barbecuing, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends. Visiting Playa Bejuco provides an authentic taste of Costa Rican beach culture. And privacy seekers have no reason to be put off, either! It truly is a very long beach and you’ll find all the seclusion you need.

The Manuel Antonio area might be one of the busiest tourist destinations in Costa Rica, but you wouldn’t think that when you go to Playa La Macha. Located above Playa Bisaenz, between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, getting to La Macha involves a steep 40-minute hike from the main road, meaning that visitors often enjoy this tranquil beach virtually alone.

While the hike may be challenging, the seclusion and lack of crowds reward the effort for able-bodied adventurers seeking the peace and quiet they might not find on some of the more crowded beaches around here. The small cove features gentle waves ideal for swimming, as well as large rocks teeming with marine life perfect for snorkeling.

No amenities are available at Playa La Macha, requiring visitors to be self-sufficient by bringing snacks, water, and all necessary supplies.

Playa Arco is a secluded beach inside the Marino Ballena National Park near Uvita in Costa Rica's Southern Zone. Getting here requires entering the park through Ballena Sector Ranger Station, paying an admission fee, and hiking over a mile through streams and across rocks.

The beach itself features gorgeous tan sand set against a lush green jungle backdrop, with small offshore islands adding drama to the ocean views. A highlight is the large cave that can be waded through at low tide, connecting two separate beach areas. Just past the northern cave entrance are a couple of small waterfalls, perfect for rinsing off after ocean swims. If you time your visit right, you can have this place virtually to yourself.

Surrounded by the lush tropical rainforests of the remote Osa Peninsula, Playa Carate is located close to the southern edge of Corcovado National Park. The beach itself features powdery gray sand fringed by dense jungle vegetation that provides seclusion and tranquility.

Carate is an important nesting site for olive ridley, leatherback, green, and hawksbill sea turtles. The beach and surrounding rainforests teem with wildlife like monkeys, macaws, dolphins, and even jaguars.

Located a few miles south of Puerto Viejo, two beaches sit calmly right next to each other, with a headland separating them: Punta Uva. An attraction here is the viewpoint and trail, offering great landscapes to explore. These beaches feature stunning white sand, calm emerald green waters, and a protected reef which is ideal for swimming. For those seeking seclusion and natural beauty, Playas Punta Uva and Arrecife are the perfect destination.

Punta Uva offers many other activities for visitors as well. The reef near the viewpoint is excellent for snorkeling, with rental gear available locally. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and river tours provide opportunities to spot wildlife like birds, monkeys, sloths, and turtles. Scuba diving is another option for adventurous tourists.

Manzanillo is a small, laid-back fishing village at the southern end of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. This tiny town's main draw is its stunning white sand beach strip, lined with palm trees and lapped by the gentle, light blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Manzanillo lies within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, offering excellent hiking opportunities to explore the area's stunning small beaches and vibrant viewpoints. Guided tours are recommended to safely experience the refuge while learning about the flora and fauna. Visitors are drawn to Manzanillo's relaxing Caribbean vibe, spending days swaying in oceanfront hammocks, kayaking, or sunbathing on the picturesque beach.