Dawn , our Costa Rica Destination Manager, knows the Pacific coast first-hand, from sunsets in Nosara to sloth-spotting in Manuel Antonio. Here, she shares how to find the stretch of coast that's right for you. Pura Vida incoming... After a week of volcanoes, cloud forest, hanging bridges and more early wildlife alarms than you'd bargained for, there comes a moment on most Costa Rica holidays when a few days by the sea starts to sound very good indeed. And Costa Rica does beach time brilliantly. Just maybe not in the way you're picturing. If you're imagining powder-white sand and glassy turquoise water, the Pacific coast might surprise you. What you get instead has far more character: palm-fringed bays, miles of open sand, jungle running right down to the shoreline, warm water, surf, wildlife and some of the best sunsets I've ever watched. My favourite has to be from Lagarta Lodge in Nosara. The sky was an incredible mix of pinks, oranges and golds, all reflected in the infinity pool, with the Pacific stretching out beyond. I've been lucky enough to see some wonderful sunsets over the years, but this one really was something special. Sometimes the best moments on holiday are the ones where you simply sit back, take in the view and do absolutely nothing at all. Little beach towns where life revolves around the tide. Sodas, the small family-run local cafés, serving fresh fish and ceviche, surfers padding barefoot down to the water. That Pura Vida feeling doesn't switch off when you reach the coast... if anything, this is where you really start feeling it from sunrise to sunset. This photograph was taken during my stay at Lagarta Lodge, and every time I look at it, I'm reminded why I love Costa Rica's Pacific coast so much. Do you want to swim, surf or do absolutely nothing? So before we talk beaches, I'll ask you a few questions. Do you want to swim, or surf? Does snorkelling matter? Fancy kayaking and boat trips, or would you rather the sea stayed politely in the background while you read? Do you want to stroll out for dinner, or stay somewhere properly peaceful with a livelier town a short taxi ride away? Your answers change everything, because the Pacific coast changes enormously from one bay to the next. A quick word about the water Two things worth knowing up front. First, snorkelling. The Pacific isn't one long coral reef, and the experience varies hugely from bay to bay. In some spots you can snorkel straight from the beach; elsewhere, getting out by boat makes all the difference. If it matters to you, tell us. Second, swimming. This is the open Pacific, so conditions change and currents are real. Even on the gentlest beaches, it's always worth checking with the locals on the day. Rather than give you another list of Costa Rica's "best beaches", I find it far more useful to split the coast into three very different areas. The Northern Pacific: Sunshine and sheltered bays The further north-west you go, the drier Costa Rica gets. This is Guanacaste, where every little stretch of coast has its own personality. The landscape shifts with the seasons too: by the end of the dry season the hills turn gold, then the rains bring everything back to green. If dense rainforest is what you have in your head, that's further south. Papagayo: Where you can really get away from it all If you want a few days where everything slows down almost immediately, I'd start here. The Gulf of Papagayo is a collection of sheltered bays and little coves, with golden sand, warm Pacific water and tropical forest reaching right down to the coastline. I've stayed at El Mangroove on Playa Panamá , a stylish, contemporary hotel with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Another lovely option is Hotel Bosque del Mar on Playa Hermosa , a smaller beachfront hotel surrounded by tropical gardens, where the focus is on nature, friendly service and peaceful surroundings. Whether you're after contemporary comfort or somewhere smaller and more intimate, with those Pacific sunsets it's very easy to lose track of time. You swim in the morning, linger over lunch, read by the pool and suddenly realise you've done very little all day. After everything else Costa Rica has thrown at you, that's often exactly what you need. The gorgeous poolside at El Mangroove, Costa Rica's Northern Pacific Coast Peaceful doesn't mean cut off, either. Playa Hermosa and Playa Panamá make quieter bases, while nearby Playas del Coco has restaurants, bars and shops. Stay somewhere calm, then hop in a taxi when you fancy dinner and a bit of life. A little further down the coast, Flamingo, Potrero and Conchal offer a slightly different mix. Flamingo has the marina and more facilities. Potrero has calmer water and a quieter feel. And Conchal's shoreline is made up of tiny fragments of crushed shell, which gives it an unusual pale shimmer. Out on the water there's kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, snorkelling and diving, with boat trips getting you to the better underwater spots. Perfect if you tell me: "I want somewhere peaceful where I can swim, but I'd still like restaurants and a bit of life nearby." The wild and beautiful beach, Playa Hermosa Tamarindo: For a little bit more of a buzz Tamarindo is the opposite. A long sandy beach, consistent surf and a proper town behind it, with restaurants, bars, surf schools and plenty going on after dark. It can work brilliantly for families with older children and teenagers. Nobody's going to complain there's nothing to do, and you can wander out each evening and choose where to eat rather than being tied to your hotel. Surfing is the heart of life here, whether you're experienced or have never stood on a board. The sea is more about waves than snorkelling or gentle swimming, though. Tamarindo is lively, sociable and international. If you've told me you want somewhere sleepy and undiscovered, I won't be sending you here, but for the right people, that's exactly why it works. Another two magnificent sunset photos, taken by our Dawn in Tamarindo, Costa Rica The Nicoya Peninsula: Barefoot and wonderfully carefree Barefoot beach towns, surf, yoga and life moving at a noticeably slower pace. Sámara, Nosara and Santa Teresa are three completely different takes on Pacific coast life, which is why "somewhere on the Nicoya Peninsula" doesn't narrow things down very much. Sámara and Carrillo: my real soft spot I have a real soft spot for this part of the coast. Sámara has that wonderfully laid-back beach-town feel, with little restaurants, local cafés and a long sweep of sand where you can spend your days swimming, kayaking, surfing or simply watching the world go by. It's the sort of place where you can wander out for freshly caught fish and a cold drink without having to plan too much. If you fancy snorkelling, head out by boat to Isla Chora, just offshore, where there's some reef to explore. Just along the coast, Playa Carrillo is even more peaceful, with a beautiful crescent of golden sand, coconut palms and very little development behind the beach. It also has a reputation as one of the safer places on this coast to swim. One of the hotels I love recommending here is Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows , with its contemporary rooms, lovely views across the bay and inviting swimming pool. Travellers I've sent here have absolutely loved it, which is always wonderful to hear. It's a great choice if you want somewhere peaceful to unwind, while still being close enough to Sámara to enjoy its restaurants and relaxed atmosphere. For me, that's a pretty perfect combination. Perfect if you tell me: "I want to swim and relax, but please don't strand me in the middle of nowhere." The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica's Pacific Coast Nosara: surf, yoga and very good food Nosara is a different beast. Playa Guiones is huge and open, with pale sand and medium to strong Pacific waves. Surfing is part of everyday life here, and so is yoga. Think small boutique hotels, yoga studios, cafés and some seriously good places to eat, though it's all more spread out than Tamarindo or Sámara. Come here because you want to surf, not for snorkelling or a menu of resort watersports. I wouldn't call Nosara an undiscovered village these days; it's become quite international. But it still has that barefoot, unhurried quality that makes it very easy to settle into. Just up the coast, Ostional is famous for olive ridley turtles coming ashore to nest, mostly between July and November. The big mass nestings, known as arribadas, can't be timetabled, but if your dates happen to line up, they're an extraordinary thing to witness. The one for you if: "I want to surf, eat well, do some yoga and properly switch off." The incredible view from Lagarta Lodge, Nosara, taken by HA's Head of Marketing, Gabs Santa Teresa: Sunsets and buzz Santa Teresa's beach is long and wild, with palms and greenery behind it. In the late afternoon, it feels as though the whole town drifts down to the sand to watch the sun drop into the Pacific. Surf is huge here, but so is food, from casual cafés and local sodas to some genuinely excellent restaurants. Plenty of life, none of that big resort feel. It's cool, there's quite an energetic vibe about the place, and it's very much on the map. So, if your idea of remote is you and three palm trees, this probably wouldn't be the best fit for you. Nor is it the place for snorkelling or gentle swimming. Santa Teresa is about surf, food, sunsets and atmosphere. I'd point you here if you tell me: "I want somewhere barefoot and buzzy, with great food, surf and a proper sunset to end the day." The Central and Southern Pacific: Greener and wilder Head south and Costa Rica changes again. It gets greener, the rainforest creeps closer to the water, and wildlife becomes a much bigger part of beach life. This isn't so much a break from your adventure as a continuation of it, just with the sea alongside. Some of my favourite places to stay down here aren't beachfront at all. Around Manuel Antonio and Uvita, they're tucked into the rainforest or perched in the hills above the ocean. You give up stepping straight from your room onto the sand, but you gain wildlife, space and huge views over the Pacific. The peaceful and sprawling beach at Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio: monkeys overhead and sand underfoot I remember walking through the national park and coming out onto the most beautiful beaches: soft pale sand, clear water and dramatic rock formations, all wrapped in lush rainforest. And then you look up and there's a sloth just hanging out in the trees above you. It's magical. What I love most is how naturally the rainforest, wildlife and beaches blend together. You're not simply visiting a beach; you're surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest. The beaches are wonderful for swimming when conditions are calm, and you may spot monkeys moving through the trees or iguanas basking in the sunshine. There's snorkelling around some of the sheltered rocky areas when visibility allows, while kayaking, paddleboarding and boat trips are other ways to explore the coastline. Quepos, just down the road, is the working town and marina, and the road between the two is dotted with small hotels, restaurants and cracking ocean views. Spend the morning spotting wildlife and the afternoon with your toes in the sand, then finish the day over fresh fish as the sun goes down. The trade-off here is its popularity. Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica's busiest spots, so you're not going to get an empty beach. But, for wildlife, beach, food and plenty to do, especially on a first trip, it's very hard to beat. Dominical: the wilder side Keep going south and things get wilder. Dominical has a long, darker beach, proper Pacific surf and a sleepy little town of cafés, bars and small shops behind it. It's far less polished than the north, and that's exactly why people love it. The rainforest, waterfalls and mountains behind the coast are as much a part of the experience as the beach. Surf in the morning, swim under a waterfall at lunchtime, and be back on the sand for sunset. If you want to surf, Dominical could be the perfect fit. If you'd rather swim, neighbouring Dominicalito has gentler waves. Neither is a snorkelling spot though, so do chat to us if that's what you're after as we can do better. Here it's all about surf, scenery and that sleepy beach-town feeling Costa Rica does so well. Dominical Beach, Costa Rica Uvita and the Costa Ballena: whales and wild beaches Finally, Uvita and the Costa Ballena, where the rainforest really does feel part of the coastline. Long stretches of sand, coconut palms, mangroves and jungle-covered hills, a world away from the drier north. Uvita beach has moderate waves and is lovely for long walks, while Playa Ballena next door is calmer, with fine sand. This is also one of the best places in the country for marine wildlife. Humpback whales visit the waters of Marino Ballena National Park twice a year, roughly August to October and December to April. As with any wildlife, nothing's guaranteed, but the chance is very real. Out on the water, think whale watching, boat trips, kayaking and snorkelling excursions rather than jet skis. Uvita has grown, and there are good places to eat, but it's spread out. You won't be strolling along a promenade picking a restaurant, and I quite like that. Stay up in the hills, wake to birdsong, head out on the water in the morning, find a quiet stretch of beach in the afternoon and finish the day watching the sky change colour over the Pacific. Humpback whale breaching off the Pacific Coast, Uvita, Costa Rica So, which stretch of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is right for you? In a nutshell: Characterful hotels, calmer water and easy beach time: the Northern Pacific Surf, yoga, great food and barefoot beach towns: the Nicoya Peninsula Rainforest, wildlife, whales and a wilder coastline: the Central and Southern Pacific But even within those three, the differences are huge. Peaceful, but not stranded? Carrillo with Sámara nearby, or Playa Hermosa with Coco down the road. Want to wander out and choose where to eat? Tamarindo and Sámara make it easy. Hoping to surf? Tamarindo, Guiones, Santa Teresa and Dominical. Watersports? The Northern Pacific and Sámara have the most choice. Around Uvita, it's more about wildlife and nature. Snorkelling? Tell us. It's about choosing the right bay or getting a great boat trip booked in. Wildlife still top of the list? Manuel Antonio or Uvita may make far more sense than heading north just because someone told you Guanacaste has the "best beaches". Enjoying the views over Manuel Antonio Still not sure? That's fine. Costa Rica doesn't have one "best" Pacific beach. It has the right beach for the right person. Tell me you want somewhere sleepy with gentle water and a little town nearby, and I'll be thinking very differently from someone who wants surf, yoga and restaurants. Tell me your teenagers need things to do, and the conversation changes again. Tell me snorkelling's non-negotiable, that you want to walk for miles every morning, or that you'd honestly just like a cold drink and a good sunset, and I'll narrow it down again. That's what tailor-made should mean. You shouldn't have to work out which corner of Costa Rica suits you – that's our job. Yours is to get there, order the ceviche, find your palm tree and be on the sand before sunset. Pura vida! Get in touch to start planning your own slice of the Pacific coast. Costa Rica holidays we recommend ZEN_HOLIDAY_PACK_YOUR_BAGS Chat to one of our Costa Rica experts to start planning your tailor-made holiday today. 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