You’ll find plenty of food, but don’t expect modern high-rises or other notably upscale entertainment. You’ll find everyday things like canopy tours, horseback riding, and various water sports along the beach, but the local town is more tourist-focused than luxury-focused. Santa Teresa is mainly an activity-focused area. May to December is the best time for catching more giant waves, although beginners may want to visit when the waves aren’t relatively as high. It’s especially notable for consistent winds throughout the year, making it ideal for surfing and many other aquatic activities. Playa Santa Teresa is a beach town area set near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. So make sure you double-check the map when you’re arranging your trip to the country, or you may end up at the wrong beach. This one is in the Guanacaste area, while the other is in Puntarenas. There’s one other thing to remember about a trip here: Costa Rica has two beaches named Playa Hermosa. This is quite different from the beach trip, but so close you’re practically getting two vacations in one. This area has invigorating canopy and rappelling tours, soothing hot springs, and hikes through a diverse rainforest area. Make sure to visit the nearby Arenal Volcano area if you have time. You can hire a local tourist company for a more relaxed route and go on a fishing expedition. If you prefer to remain above water, sailboards, windsurfing, jet-skiing, and similar activities are all viable in the area. This area’s entertainment focuses more on the water than the beach, with outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The beach itself is about two kilometers long, with tropical rainforest and volcanic rocks surrounding it. Specifically, the Bandera Azul (“Blue Flag”) award is for beaches that have exceptionally high environmental and safety standards, making it easily one of the best places for families in the country. Playa Hermosa is an award-winning beach on Costa Rica’s western coastline. You can also drive about two hours from Nicoya, or four hours if you drive into San Jose.

That’s about 20 minutes away from Samara by car. The shortest route is usually flying into an international airport, then taking a domestic flight to Nosara. Getting to Samara is slightly tricky for a vacation in Costa Rica. Or, if you want to do something a little more exciting, there are several nightclubs in town for music and entertainment. The waves are particularly good in this area, so consider bringing or renting equipment like paddle boards or surfboards. Activities in the area include popular things like canopy tours, fishing, kayaking, and visits to fishing and farming areas. The resorts are pretty affordable here, thanks to the local economy’s pricing policies, making Samra a budget-friendly destination as well as a family-friendly one. It’s also one of the safer areas in the country, which is a significant factor in deciding the best beaches in Costa Rica for families. Set in the middle of the western side of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Samara is a relatively small town with gorgeous scenery and a thriving resort area.

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