Best family beaches in Costa Rica, 2026
25 family beaches in Costa Rica that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to family travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Playa Agujas
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A small coastal village beach with calm local character north of Herradura.
2OBI 7.5+
Playa Agujitas
Bahía Drake, Costa Rica
Village beach area used by visitors staying in Agujitas and Drake Bay
3OBI 7.5+
Playa Avellanas
Pinilla, Costa Rica
Major surf beach near Tamarindo known for Lola’s, long sands, and several wave peaks
4OBI 7.5+
Playa Azul
Ostional, Costa Rica
Low-key beach settlement north of Ostional with a simple, local feel.
5OBI 7.5+
Playa Ballena
Uvita, Costa Rica
A core Marino Ballena beach with long sands, calm scenery, and whale-watching identity.
6OBI 7.5+
Playa Bananito
Matama, Costa Rica
A quiet Caribbean beach near the Bananito area, useful for travelers seeking undeveloped coastline.
7OBI 7.5+
Playa Bandera
Parrita, Costa Rica
Quiet Parrita-area beach with long sands and a local weekend feel.
Playa Barco Quebrado
Garza, Costa Rica
A quiet local beach south of Garza that is often missed by visitors focused only on Nosara.
9OBI 7.5+
Playa Bejuco
Bejuco, Costa Rica
Remote golden-sand beach anchoring the transition coast south of Punta Islita.
Playa Bejuco
Esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica
A spacious southern transition beach often paired with Esterillos trips and valued for open sand.
11OBI 7.5+
Playa Biesanz
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
A sheltered Manuel Antonio cove prized for calmer swimming and kayak/snorkel trips.
Playa Blanca
Cahuita, Costa Rica
The iconic white-sand beach inside Cahuita National Park beside the protected reef.
Playa Blanca
Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Calmer Golfo Dulce beach option with village access and gentle water.
14OBI 7.5+
Playa Blanca
La Palma, Costa Rica
Rare pale-sand Golfo Dulce beach often used as a calm-water stop near Rincón and La Palma.
15OBI 7.5+
Playa Blanca
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
One of the area's rare white-sand beaches, known for clear water and a postcard setting.
Playa Blanca (Cahuita National Park)
Cahuita, Costa Rica
Signature Cahuita National Park beach with reef scenery and classic white Caribbean sand.
Playa Blanca Junquillal
Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica
Quiet southern Junquillal stretch with broad sands and low development
18OBI 7.5+
Playa Boca Nosara
Nosara, Costa Rica
Quiet estuary-side beach where the Nosara River meets the Pacific, useful for nature-focused visitors.
Playa Bolaños
La Cruz, Costa Rica
Open bay beach near the northern Guanacaste border with wide views
Playa Bonita
Limón, Costa Rica
The best-known beach near Limón city with easy access, surf and local food scene
21OBI 7.5+
Playa Buena
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Accessible sheltered beach between Panamá and Hermosa
Playa Cabuyal
Bahía Culebra, Costa Rica
Underrated road-access beach on the quieter outer Papagayo side
23OBI 7.5+
Playa Cacao
Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Local Gulf-side beach with calm-water appeal and low tourist saturation.
24OBI 7.5+
Playa Cacao
Golfito, Costa Rica
Sheltered beach across from Golfito known for calm water and classic boat-day access.
25OBI 7.5+
Playa Cahuita
Cahuita, Costa Rica
The main Cahuita town-side national park beach, valued for its easy access and classic Caribbean setting.