Costa Rica Beach Travel Guide

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Tamarindo, some of Costa Rica's most stunning sunsets (David Schneider)

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2 Questions | 2 Answers

We are planning our first trip to Costa Rica with our 9 year old son the last week of March. After flying into SJO is it practical to spend a night or two visiting the Arenal area then heading to the beach for the rest of the week? From Arenal, what beach are do you recommend, that is family safe and close to other attractions(rainforest, zip lines, etc.)? Thanks
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what is the best time to fly to Costa Rica and the cheapest
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Costa Rica Travel

Feature Articles

Top Ten Alternative Spring Break Destinations
San Jose by the Sea
Jacó Beach charms visitors with its mix of quiet beaches, surfing, and nightlife, with nature and wildlife activities within a short drive.
Tropical Escapes
Oahu, Costa Rica and St. Kitts
Cocos Island National Park
Between the Galapagos and Costa Rica lies an isolated island lush with flora and fauna.
Surfing Lite
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A Perfect Set in Costa Rica is One Part Mellow Paddling and Two Parts Extreme Leisure

More Costa Rica Beach Feature Articles (17) »

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Trip Ideas

Atlantic Ocean: Costa Rica
Top 10 Spots for Experiencing Sharks
Fly Me to the Surf
Macaw Air, Costa Rica
A Tale of Two Coasts: Costa Rica's Caribbean Side
Family Eco-Adventures: Turtle Nesting in Tortuguero National Park
Rainforest Weddings in Tortuguero Nat'l Park

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Practical Advice

Seafood Watch: The Western Seaboard
Oceana, an organization seeking to protect and restore the world's oceans, continues to profile the seafood you should—and shouldn't—eat by indexing the most common fish off the western coast of the United States.
Seafood Watch: The Eastern Seaboard
Oceana, an organization seeking to protect and restore the world’s oceans, offers information on the environmental impacts of eating various types of seafood.
Sharks: Myths and Realities
Every summer, the ominous display of a dorsal fin sends crowds scurrying for the shore—and newspaper headlines exploding with warnings. Find out why that’s the wrong way to act.
Deep Focus
Learn the basics of underwater photography and you expand the experience of scuba diving and snorkeling. Our ten tips will help keep things crystal clear.
The Move
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Go deeper with champion freediver Tanya Streeter

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GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

Sports: Surf and Save Turtles in Costa Rica
i-to-i
from $1295, 14 days
If you are looking for a beach break then these projects on the beautiful Pacific coast need you on board. You will be learning to surf and helping...
Costa Rica Volcanoes and Surf
Gap Adventures
from $749, 9 days
An action-packed tour of Costa Rica's lush interior, combined with a visit to a favourite surf destination for a little fun in the sun. See amazing...
Deluxe Camping on the Coast, Arenal Volcano and Nosara Beach Surfing
Costa Rica Expeditions
from $4560, 10 days
Fly to the Osa Peninsula to stay at the Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp. Then to Arenal to walk the Hanging Bridges trails and soak in a natural hot...
Costa Rica Nicoya Peninsula Sea Kayaking
Crystal Seas Kayaking
from $529, 5 days
One of the best kept secrets...in sea kayaking is the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. The area is famed for its spectacular...
Panama to Costa Rica with Monteverde, Sarapiqui & Arenal Volcano
AdventureSmith Explorations
from $6840, 15 days
Cruise the legendary Panama Canal and Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula & Manuel Antonio on the Sea Voyager. Then visit Nicaragua. Explore famous national...

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Gear

Check Out My Wood!
outside
How a carpentry-challenged nonsurfer built a classic wooden longboard with his own kook hands.
Women's Surfing
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Seal Line Urban Tote
The Perfect Wet/Dry Bag
Surfing
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Get dialed for summer's coolest sport
Complete Gear Archives: Surfing
From in-depth gear review articles and Gear Guy Q&A highlights to the latest—and past—entries in Outside magazine’s award-giving Summer and Winter Buyer’s Guides, a detailed overview of all things surfing.

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Fitness

Icons
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Fittest Real Athletes – Kyle Daniels
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Win
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Wellness 2009
The Move
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Catch a wave with tips from pro surfer Damien Hobgood
Fit to Surf
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Attractions

Vista Guapa Surf Camp

Jaco, Costa Rica

Description: Popular surf camp founded and operated by Alvaro Solano, the six-time national surfing champion of... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Tortuguero Canals

Caribbean Coast
Tortuguero
Limon, Costa Rica

Description: Guests can enjoy boat rides on the 70 miles of the Tortuguero Canals, whose banks are lined with... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Tortuguero National Park

Caribbean Coast, 14 miles from Jaloba, 4 miles north of Parismina

Description: Parque Nacional Tortuguero protects the nesting beach of the green turtle, and features 11... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

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