Top 5 best Beaches of 2013
Costa Rica's beaches come in every color and while some are only good for sunbathing, others offer world-class surfing or the chance to get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Here's the top five favorite beaches we visited in 2013.
read more close#5 Playa Negra – Puerto Viejo
They say that there is a grain of sand on the beach for every star in the sky, well if that's true then Playa Negra must be the earth's rendition of the night sky. In-between the tar black volcanic sands are grains that glimmer in the sunlight like the faint flickering of far-off stars. On clear days, the beauty of Playa Negra's beaches are matched with the clean, crisp waters of the Caribbean. While the beach isn't known for its surf, it's one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for a morning or evening stroll and with seven-miles of beach; you'll have plenty of time to take it all in.
#4 Hermosa Beach- Jaco
The surf at Hermosa Beach is unequaled. The big barreling waves form along beach and point breaks with such consistency that the surf is good year-round. Of course the waves attract the culture, and the surf culture on Hermosa Beach is a combination of local pros with international visitors coming together to ride the regular 6- to 8-foot swells. Stop in the Backyard Bar on Saturdays at 4 p.m. for the surf competition and watch the local talent go head to head in an awesome display of skill and daring.
#3 Tortuguero Beach- Tortuguero
Some beaches are made for surfing, others for swimming, but Tortuguero Beach is made for nesting sea turtles. Visit from August through September to see nesting green sea turtles swim to shore and lay their eggs along the western Atlantic's largest nesting site. Walk the beach early in the mornings and late in the afternoons and you may catch baby green sea turtles digging out of their nests and scampering across the beach into the ocean.
#2 Playa Blanca- Manuel Antonio
Hidden inside Manuel Antonio National Park, this beach is like finding buried treasure. A white-beach in a cove surrounded by the park's rich vegetation replete with undulating tides of azure and emerald, Manuel Antonio is the perfect getaway from the city. Grab a beach towel and bathe in the sun, hide under the shade of the tall trees, swim in the safety of the cove, but watch your backpack carefully; the park's monkeys are famously mischievous and may go scrounging for food.
#1 Playa Blanca- Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Another secluded beach inside the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge just south of Manzanillo, this Playa Blanca is a cherished local favorite. Pearly white sands and crystal clear waters coalesce in a perfect combination of tropical beauty. Snorkel off-shore among the reefs or have a picnic on the beach, then hike up to Manzanillo point for picturesque views of the Caribbean coastline.
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