Hermosa Beach in Puntarenas Costa Rica

Hermosa Beach Costa Rica

Location: between Jaco and Esterillos beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
Hermosa Beach GPS Coordinates: 9.576397,-84.606346 (9°34’35.02″N, 84°36’22.84″W)
Hermosa Beach entrance GPS Coordinates: 9.577148,-84.605638 (9°34’37.73″N, 84°36’20.29″W)
District: Jaco, canton: Garabito, province: Puntarenas.
Zone postal code: 61101.

WAZE location Hermosa Beach in Puntarenas Costa Rica  Google Maps location Hermosa Beach in Puntarenas Costa Rica

Hermosa Beach Costa Rica in a wide and calm beach with a broad grey-sands and blue waters contrasted by pounding white surf of undeniable beauty, located in the Central Pacific coast of Puntarenas province.

Although Hermosa Beach is much less developed than neighboring Jaco beach, it attracts experienced surfers from around the world for its consistent waves which can reach as tall as 13ft, being one of the reasons why there follow the annual surfing contest. Swimmers are advised to take caution as strong riptides are common.

Importantly, in Costa Rica there are several beaches named Hermosa, two of them very famous, one of them is located in Guanacaste – which is not a surfing beach at all – and the other one is in the Central Pacific, which also boasts the Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge. This recently created refuge, December 2nd 1999, comprises the strip of beach where the mangrove swamp is. Birds and nesting Olive Ridley turtles may be seen here. In fact, the Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge is intended to protect the beach that serves as nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtle. These are one of the smallest sea turtles, weighing in at a mere 90 pounds. Females typically arrive solo or in small groups ashore to lay their eggs between the months of July and December. There are no organized turtle tours in this area; however visitors during the nesting season may spot an Olive Ridley come ashore at night.

Getting to Hermosa Beach in Garabito, Puntarenas:

From San José

Drive north towards Puntarenas on route #27. Take the Pozón exit (to Jaco), and continue for about 42 km (26 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river, and then turn right at Hermosa Beach entrance and continue until you reach the beach, after passing the Jaco entrance. This route requires a total of 1.5 hour from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive to the northeast towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, continue along the same highway to Puntarenas for about 120 km (75 miles). Once at the entrance to Puntarenas, continue on route #27 to San Jose for about 25 km (15 miles) until you reach the exit to Pozon and Jaco, take it and continue for about 42 km (26 miles), passing over the Tarcoles river, and then turn right at Hermosa Beach entrance and continue until you reach the beach, after passing the Jaco entrance. This route requires a total of 2.5 hours.

Hermosa Beach Costa Rica By Bus

You can take a bus from the route San José – Quepos / Manuel Antonio (Transportes Morales, +506 2223-5567), which takes about 2.5 hours.

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Hermosa Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

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