Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Costa Rica

Looking for an unique beach? Try Conchal Beach with its cover of white shells instead of sand. It’s quite a tourist destination and can be especially crowded on the weekends. With the luxurious Westin Resort situated directly on the beach, you can step from your room onto the sea shell beach and then into the war, azure water of the Pacific. Take note, however, that the waves are not calm in this area, so children and non-swimmers should beware. If you are especially looking for shells, walk to the northern end of the beach, but don’t take the shells away from the beach.

After you have seen enough shell, venture to the part of the beach named Puerto Viejo and enter into the small estuary, Reserva Conchal. You might also enjoy snorkeling on the north end, jet skiing, horseback riding, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing. For the most spectacular views of Conchal Beach and the surrounding area, take a sailing tour. However, Conchal Beach has obligatory surf schools with lessons from beginners to the more advanced. Conchal Beach will certainly leave you with many special memories to take home.

With over 300 beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, it’s difficult to determine which beaches deserve superlatives such as “prettiest” and “best waves” and “most beautiful sunsets,” but Samara Beach on the western shore of the Nicoya Peninsula is certainly one of them. It’s widely considered one of the prettiest and safest beaches in Costa Rica. The sparkling, calm, blue water, the dazzling white beach that’s lined with swaying palm trees, the thriving tropical plants, and living coral along a three-mile long Pacific coastline combine to make Samara Beach a very special place.

You might want to plan your trip to Samara Beach to coincide with its famous rodeo, a great experience for both locals and tourists. Another option is to plan some birding and wildlife expeditions or to do some howler monkeys watching. A very popular activity is to walk the horse-shoe shaped beach from end to end, and with so many palm trees, you’ll find the perfect place to spread out your beach towel or hang your hammock. No matter when your plans are at Samara Beach, you are certain to have a fabulous time.

Located in the city of Hermosa Beach in the South Bay region of Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach – also known as Hermosa City Beach – is a popular two-mile-long beach that has light brown sand and a pier named Hermosa Beach Pier.  This beach is spread over 94 acres and it has been listed by the Travel Channel as one of the “Top 10 Beaches in the United States.” It has also been listed as one of the best beaches in Los Angeles County by many online and print publications including Thrillist and LA Weekly.

Hermosa Beach is usually open between 6 am and midnight.