Best hidden beaches in Costa Rica, 2026
25 hidden beaches in Costa Rica that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to hidden travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Backwash Bay
Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica
Small Matapalo cove prized by surfers and travelers seeking a tucked-away feel.
2OBI 7.5+
Barra de Parismina Beach
Parismina, Costa Rica
River-mouth beach area giving Parismina its distinctive isolated coastal character.
3OBI 7.5+
Boca Coronado Beach
Coronado / Ojochal, Costa Rica
Quiet river-mouth beach area used as the gateway for Garza Island and mangrove trips.
4OBI 7.5+
Callejones Beach
Playa Negra, Costa Rica
Local surf-oriented beach near Playa Negra with fewer visitors
5OBI 7.5+
Isla Garza Beach
Isla Garza, Costa Rica
Boat-access island beach between the ocean and Térraba estuary with strong off-map value.
Laguna Jalova Beach
Jalova, Costa Rica
Quiet beach frontage near Jalova lagoon, valued for wilderness rather than resort facilities.
Playa Agua Dulce
Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica
Little-known northern coastal spot for boat-based exploration near Barra del Colorado.
8OBI 7.5+
Playa Agujas
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A small coastal village beach with calm local character north of Herradura.
9OBI 7.5+
Playa Alcatraz
Paquera, Costa Rica
Small Tortuga Islands cove valued for snorkeling stops and calm boat-access swimming.
10OBI 7.5+
Playa Arco
Uvita, Costa Rica
A tide-sensitive hidden beach framed by cliffs and one of the coast’s best natural-photo spots.
11OBI 7.5+
Playa Arco
Punta Uva, Costa Rica
A small beach with a gentle curve and calm waters, perfect for those seeking solitude.
12OBI 7.5+
Playa Arco Sur
Ojochal, Costa Rica
A small cove-style beach area near Ojochal that is more discoverable locally than in generic maps.
13OBI 7.5+
Playa Arenillas
Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Small Papagayo shoreline with quieter local-resort character
14OBI 7.5+
Playa Arenillas
Nosara, Costa Rica
Rocky pocket north of Pelada, more of a scenic discovery than a mainstream swim beach.
Playa Azul
Ostional, Costa Rica
Low-key beach settlement north of Ostional with a simple, local feel.
Playa Azul
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A small village beach north of the main resort zones with authentic local character.
Playa Backwash
Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica
Local surf beach near Cabo Matapalo with wild Osa jungle backdrop
18OBI 7.5+
Playa Bajamar
Tárcoles, Costa Rica
A broad, under-the-radar beach near the northern edge of the Jacó-Herradura coastal corridor.
19OBI 7.5+
Playa Bajo Caletas
Bahía Drake, Costa Rica
Remote pocket beach likely underrepresented in generic datasets
Playa Bajo Negro
Paquera, Costa Rica
Low-profile Gulf beach with a rural coastline feel near Paquera.
Playa Bananito
Matama, Costa Rica
A quiet Caribbean beach near the Bananito area, useful for travelers seeking undeveloped coastline.
22OBI 7.5+
Playa Bananito Norte
Matina, Costa Rica
Quiet southern fringe beach with a raw Caribbean atmosphere
Playa Bandera
Parrita, Costa Rica
Quiet Parrita-area beach with long sands and a local weekend feel.
Playa Barco
Bahía Drake, Costa Rica
Secluded cove-like shoreline along the Drake Bay coastal route
Playa Barco Quebrado
Barco Quebrado, Costa Rica
Undeveloped beach with rocky tide-pool scenery and a stronger off-map discovery feel.