Playa Hermosa is located in the province of Puntarenas on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It is situated about 5 kilometers south of Jaco. The Hermosa Beach is one of the best Surf place. There is another Playa Hermosa that is located in the in Guanacaste province and is not a surfing beach.
Playa Hermosa is a less crowded, grey-sand beach that boundaries a charming and quiet Pacific Ocean. A series of national parks are at a short distance away, facilitating visitors with an enormous opportunity to closely interact with Costa Rica’s distinctive eco system. The Playa Hermosa of Puntarenas province is just 10 minutes drive away from the beach town of Jaco. The visitors can reach to this surfing destination with a 2 hours drive from San Jose, Costa Rica. This beach offers some of the best and consistent surf breaks in the country and world. It is worth to mention that due to strong current, this is not an ideal beach for swimmers and can be dangerous. While Jaco beach has waves for both experienced and beginners’ surfers to get pleasure from the waves. Playa Hermosa is an expert surfer’s beach with waves getting as high as thirteen feet. You will find several economical surf board rental shops on the beach.
Due the world class waves, the Playa Hermosa organizes the International Quicksilver Surf Championships every year in August which attracts hundreds of expert surfers to Hermosa Beach from all over the world. The best time to surf is from April to November, when the tide is high and intensifying. One of the most famous breaks on the beach is located in front of a large tree known as ‘Almond Tree’.
Several economical and high end accommodations are available in Playa Hermosa. Most surfers are inclined to stay in Jaco that has a number of quality hotels, bars, restaurants, resorts, rental houses and rooms for rent. Several people frequently prefer to surf the black sand beach of Hermosa to Jaco, as this beach is less crowded during the week.
This area is best for spending a day for relaxing, sunbath at the beach. You could take a day trip to Country’s most famous national park, the Manuel Antonio National Park that is about 45 minutes away where you will find a variety of wildlife like white faced monkeys, iguanas, several species of birds and much more. You could also visit to Carara National Park which is 25 about away from here. You could make a visit to the Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge, which shelter of the Olive Ridley sea turtles that come here to lay their eggs. The small town of Playa Hermosa is organized along 1 km of the highway that runs from Jaco in the north to Manuel Antonio in the south. The center of the town is marked by the soccer field. There are a few restaurants, cafes, pizzerias and grocery stores. Some restaurants, like the Backyard, have terraces overlooking the ocean so you can enjoy the view of both nature and surfers alike. The Backyard offers an attractive night scene, with live music often performing.
Accommodation
Staying in Playa Hermosa is an excellent choice if you want to live it up with the surf crowd. There are various options of places to stay in Playa Hermosa. However, Playa Hermosa is not very big and during peak times this area gets packed quickly. Many of the options like a hostel, bed & breakfast, or small boutique style hotels are available. Almost all of the options are beach front which is something quite unusual to find in Costa Rica due to the strict regulations about the maritime zone.
Hotel Terraza del Pacifico
Hotel Terraza del Pacifico offer the most pleasant tropical environment illustrate by the nature that ambiance us, the sunshine and splendid sunsets, seductive summer nights, music, decor, exquisite cuisine and warmth of people.
The hotel is located at the beach, where the sound of the waves is the music that relaxes the mind and spirit of the guests. The sea breeze is what cools the body and made flying dreams, plus the comfort and spaciousness of hotel facilities. The staff is friendly and all theses qualities have made Hotel Terraza del Pacifico a unique place for vacation and enjoyment.
Fuego Del Sol Beach and Resort
Fuego Del Sol is a special location for lodging in Playa Hermosa. It has views of the beach and tenders a wide variety of services, including: wedding and honeymoon packages, surf classes, surf boards for rent, spa services, sky walks, canopy tours, kayaks, comfortable rooms, superb cuisine, all with great swimming pool views and surrounded with the charming magic of the tropics. Fuego Del Sol Beach Resort presents the widest collection of activities for each type of travelers.
Las Brisas Resort and villas
Las Brisas Resort and villas is a family-owned operated resort complex surrounded by gardens and gated for privacy and security, they offers accommodations in spacious Junior suites and three, three bedroom, two bath villas, all individually furnished and decorated with Costa Rican feel.
It is located just a half-mile away from the Playa Hermosa beach, a 10 kilometer length of black sand beach loved by beach goers and surfers alike. Ideally positioned tranquil and a serene location just 4 Km south of Jaco and a 1½-hour drive from the San Jose International airport.
Sport fishing, Surf Tours and diving packages are also available. They also arrange airport transfers. A representative of the resort will meet you upon arrival in San Jose Airport.
Activities / Things to do
There are normally four main activities you can do at Playa Hermosa:
Surf
Playa Hermosa is world famous surfing destination. It was chosen as the site for the 2009 Billabong International Surf Competition due to its spectacular waves.
Sun bath
If you adore the sun, Playa Hermosa is the perfect place to get a great tan or a horrible sun burn. Because the sand here is volcanic and dark black in color it attracts the sun, so the best times to be out are early in the morning otherwise you are likely to get burnt as this beach offers very little shaded area.
Volunteer helping the refuge with sea turtles
If you would like to volunteer and give back to the community, you can help the local Hermosa animal refuge with various environmental projects. The refuge has been trying to implement beach clean up and a recycling pro harm. Also, one of the most rewarding things you can do is work with the sea turtles releasing them into the ocean when they are born.
Chill out
Hermosa Beach has a much laid back, hang lose, surfer attitude. If you need to relax, and chill out, Hermosa Beach is the ideal place to take a load off. You can also practice yoga on the beach. You can also find a local hammock to read a book or take a nap in. If you want to indulge yourself in lots of action, you must go to nearby Jaco Beach.
The travelers can find several activities and tours organized by different groups.
Pacific Rainforest Tranopy Tour – Jaco
This tour is a combination of nature and adventure to have views of the rain forest through the Ariel Tram and through Canopy on zip lines.
Pacific Rainforest Family Tour – Jaco
Get the inspiring views of thick vegetation surrounding. You will have an ideal experience of natural world and rainforest biodiversity.
Playa Hermosa Mountain Horseback Ride – Playa Hermosa
This tour will take you to the twisty hills through a wide trail on horseback. You will have panoramic views of Pacific Ocean.
Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram – Jaco
Get inspiring views of the thick vegetation of the Pacific Rainforest.
The Wildlife Refuge (Reserva Biological de Playa Hermosa)
At the south end of the road that runs parallel to the beach you will reach to the Wildlife Refuge of Playa Hermosa. You may visit the refuge during the day, except for Mondays. The Hermosa Refuge plays an important role in the protection of the Olive Ridley sea turtle. These turtles lay their eggs on the beach from July to December. The baby turtles hatch and head to the sea from October to February.
Getting to playa Hermosa
The easiest way to reach Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica is by car or taxi. Some public buses starting from Jaco to Quepos stop at Playa Hermosa. Taxis are based only in Jaco and can be hired.
From Public to private charter bus and shuttle services to rental cars and taxis this area is easily available from and to anywhere around. The roads into Playa Hermosa are paved and in relatively good conditions.
From the airport take the main highway; take the exit that is marked Jaco at La Garita. The road signs are clearly marked and it is hard to get lost. Pass through La Garita, through Atenas, over the Aguacate pass, through San Mateo, through Orotina. You will then continue on the Coastal Highway, you will pass Herradura, and Jaco. After Jaco you are just about 10km away from Playa Hermosa.
More Info: Surfing Playa Hermosa of Costa Rica
