Best calm beaches in Costa Rica, 2026
25 calm beaches in Costa Rica that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to calm travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Playa Arenillas
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Small Papagayo shoreline with quieter local-resort character
2OBI 7.5+
Playa Biesanz
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
A sheltered Manuel Antonio cove prized for calmer swimming and kayak/snorkel trips.
3OBI 7.5+
Playa Blanca
Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Calmer Golfo Dulce beach option with village access and gentle water.
4OBI 7.5+
Playa Boca de Bongo
Bongo, Costa Rica
Estuary-adjacent coastal beach marking the southern transition toward the Bongo area.
Playa Buena
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Accessible sheltered beach between Panamá and Hermosa
6OBI 7.5+
Playa Cacao
Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Local Gulf-side beach with calm-water appeal and low tourist saturation.
Playa Cangrejal
Sámara, Costa Rica
Quieter eastern end of the Sámara bay area with softer wave conditions and local use.
8OBI 7.5+
Playa Coyote Sur
Puerto Coyote, Costa Rica
Sheltered southern arc of Coyote with gentler conditions and more local character.
9OBI 7.5+
Playa Culebra
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Quiet bay-facing beach around Culebra with very sheltered waters
10OBI 7.5+
Playa Herradura
Playa Herradura, Costa Rica
A protected bay beside Los Sueños Marina, popular for calm water, boating, and resort stays.
11OBI 7.5+
Playa Iguanita
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Protected wildlife-refuge beach with a wild undeveloped bay setting
12OBI 7.5+
Playa Mansita
Pinilla, Costa Rica
Resort-backed white-sand cove with calmer water near Hacienda Pinilla
13OBI 7.5+
Playa Mantas
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A calm cove beach north of Herradura with gentle water and easy day-trip appeal.
14OBI 7.5+
Playa Manzanillo
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Sheltered bay beach associated with upscale Papagayo resorts
15OBI 7.5+
Playa Monte del Barco
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Low-key bay beach with calm Gulf of Papagayo water
16OBI 7.5+
Playa Palma
La Palma, Costa Rica
Village-adjacent inner-gulf beach around La Palma that adds real local coverage.
Playa Panamá
Playa Panamá, Costa Rica
Long calm bay beach ideal for families and classic Gulf of Papagayo stays
18OBI 7.5+
Playa Piñuela
Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica
A small calm cove inside the Ballena area, useful for families seeking gentler water.
Playa Piuta
Limón, Costa Rica
Local Limón city beach with calmer swimming pockets and strong community use
Playa Rincon
Rincón, Costa Rica
Calm gulf-front beach area near Rincón that helps cover the northern inner Golfo Dulce shore.
Playa Rincon de Osa
La Palma, Costa Rica
Sheltered inner-Golfo beach area with village access and low tourist density.
22OBI 7.5+
Playa Sámara
Sámara, Costa Rica
Protected bay with town services, gentle water and the region’s strongest visitor recognition.
23OBI 7.5+
Playa Tamales
Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Local gulf-side beach north of Puerto Jiménez with calm water and a low-key village setting.
Playa Tulemar
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
A semi-private resort cove with real beach identity and high-value luxury travel relevance.
Playa Tulemar
Quepos, Costa Rica
Resort-access cove with calm water and strong family appeal