Playa Hermosa is without doubt one of the most lovely seashores on the Guanacaste shoreline. In truth, it’s written in its very title – hermosa actually interprets to lovely in Spanish.
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Situated on the Gulf of Papagayo and never removed from a number of the extra well-liked spots, akin to Playas del Coco, Playa Flamingo, and Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa nonetheless flies a bit below the radar.
Observe: There are a few seashores named Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica, however this text is in regards to the one in Guanacaste on the northern Pacific coast.
Visually, Playa Hermosa is without doubt one of the nicest locations in Guanacaste Province, incomes itself a Blue Flag for its clear seashore and gorgeous clear water. It additionally provides loads of alternatives for water actions, together with scuba diving, swimming, browsing, sea kayaking, and catamaran excursions.
The small city, named after the seashore, has sufficient amenities and facilities to make a keep snug, with boutique accommodations, trip leases, and beachfront eating places, but it surely’s but to really feel too overdeveloped. Playa Hermosa provides one thing for everybody, hanging the proper stability between pure magnificence and a soothing vacation vacation spot in Costa Rica.
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Find out how to Get to Playa Hermosa
By Automotive
Playa Hermosa is positioned between Playas del Coco and Playa Panama. The closest airport is Liberia Worldwide Airport, which is just a couple of 30-minute drive away. In any other case, from San Jose, the drive is about 250 km or 3.5 hours. The principle street into city is accessible all yr spherical, together with within the wet season.
By Bus/Shuttle
Being near many well-liked locations in Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa might be reached by leaping on a public bus. You can even prepare a shuttle.
Transportes La Pampa operates a bus from Liberia to Playa Hermosa a number of occasions per day. Tickets price $1 – $2, and the journey takes round 45 minutes. Alternatively, you can even get the Tralapa specific bus which departs from San José day by day, stopping at Playa Hermosa and Playa Panamá. This journey takes about 6 hours and prices $10.
You can even organise a private shuttle for round $75-85 USD every method for 1-8 folks.
Parking at Playa Hermosa
There are a few entrances to Hermosa Seaside from city. You’ll discover ample parking areas at these fundamental entrances below some shady timber. There’s nearly at all times somebody accumulating cash for parking, beginning at 2000 colones or $4. Make sure you don’t go away any valuables in your automobile, although, as petty theft is widespread.
Amenities at Playa Hermosa
Simply again from the darkish sand seashore, you’ll discover loads of amenities out there close to Playa Hermosa. There’s every little thing from beachfront eating places to water sports activities rental businesses. There are additionally fundamental toilet amenities which you can pay to make use of.
Issues to Do at Playa Hermosa
Whether or not you keep in Playa Hermosa or simply go to for the day from a close-by city, there are many actions to maintain you busy.
Go Snorkelling
You may simply snorkel from the seashore in Playa Hermosa. The far ends of the bay are greatest, together with the north finish and south headland, the place you’ll discover some rocks and attention-grabbing reefs hiding a spread of marine life, together with blowfish, urchins, parrot fish, butterfly fish, and rays. You may lease snorkelling gear from any of the stalls on the sand.
Go Browsing
Whereas the waves are usually not overly large, it makes for a pleasant spot for newbie surfers to follow their approach. You can even attempt physique browsing and boogie boarding on the whitewater if the waves aren’t fairly sufficiently big.
Take pleasure in Kayaking at Sea
For a enjoyable method of exploring this lovely seashore, lease a kayak from one of many retailers lining the seashore and head out to discover the ocean at your personal tempo. The bay is normally calm sufficient for kayaking, significantly round sundown whenever you’ll have a front-row seat to one of the best present.
Discover Close by Seashores and Lookouts by 4WD
If in case you have your personal 4×4, then a enjoyable little tour to get away from the crowded seashores is to take a brief drive to the headland south of Playa Hermosa. You’ll have the ability to take within the gorgeous view from Mirador Playa Hermosa after which proceed to little seashores like Playa Penca, that are unimaginable for snorkelling off the shore.
Day Journeys to Close by Points of interest
In the event you go to Playa Hermosa and need to use it as a base for exploring additional afield, there are a number of day journeys you may take by any of the accommodations or businesses.
A few of Costa Rica’s greatest nationwide parks are inside simple attain for a day, together with Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja and Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, the place you may take pleasure in horseback using, soak in scorching springs, go climbing, zip lining, and wildlife recognizing.
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FAQs:
Are you able to Swim at Playa Hermosa?
Sure, Playa Hermosa is a superb place to take pleasure in a dip within the water. Nevertheless, watch out of children going too deep, because the bay sees some good-sized waves and powerful rips. Nevertheless, for sturdy swimmers, snorkelling is a well-liked exercise, particularly on the far ends of the seashore close to the rocks and reefs.
Are you able to Fish at Playa Hermosa?
There are many fishing alternatives at Playa Hermosa, with tour businesses providing sport fishing and fishing charters. You may go for ½ day to full-day fishing journeys from shore to close by fishing spots.
Are you able to Surf at Playa Hermosa?
Whereas not overly constant, the spherical bay of Playa Hermosa does see some nice surf. The waves are appropriate for all ranges, with breaks not getting overly large for a lot of the yr, permitting freshmen to move in and construct their expertise.
Is Playa Hermosa Protected for Households?
Playa Hermosa is without doubt one of the greatest family-friendly seashores on the Guanacaste coast, with the correct amount of snug amenities close by, lovely sand, clear water, and loads of actions.
The place to Keep close to Playa Hermosa
From condos to luxurious resorts, there are many lodging to select from at Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste.
Mid Vary/Finances Lodge: Hotel & Villas Huetares
A great mid-range that’s licensed by Costa Rica Sustainable Tourism, this villa complicated provides suites and two-bedroom villas inside strolling distance from the seashore. It boasts a scorching tub, outside swimming pool, surrounding gardens for privateness, and an onsite restaurant serving native meals. The self-contained villas are good for teams or households in search of a spot to loosen up on their journey.
Luxurious Lodge: Hotel Bosque del Mar Playa Hermosa
For full luxurious, splurge on this unimaginable resort located proper on the seashore in Playa Hermosa, in the direction of the quieter south finish. The last word escape into nature, it’s surrounded by lush tropical timber stuffed with howler monkeys, with the suites designed to convey you nearer to the pure setting. It additionally provides an outside pool and scorching tub, a sublime restaurant, as nicely a lounge bar serving completely satisfied hour cocktails.
Finest Eating places close to Playa Hermosa
La Casita del Marisco
This well-liked spot to eat in Playa Hermosa is correct on the northern finish of the seashore. It’s an informal affair with an enormous, ethereal eating space providing views of the ocean. They concentrate on contemporary seafood, together with lobster, coconut shrimp, ceviche, and a must-try seafood platter.
Aquasport Restaurant
Situated on the centre of the nightlife of Playa Hermosa, Aqua Sport Restaurant is the place many individuals start their night. This restaurant and bar spills out onto the sand with completely satisfied hour drinks, reside music, and a sundown swing for these Instagram posts.
Ginger Restaurant and Bar
Again on the principle street away from the seashore, this treehouse-inspired restaurant is an underrated spot for a meal. Combining Asian fusion with some native fare, small plates provide loads of sharing choices, akin to spring rolls, Asian tacos, Mongolian ribs, and fried fish. Additionally they provide vegan choices for plant-based eaters.
The Backside Line
With every little thing you might presumably need and want from a seashore paradise in Costa Rica, Playa Hermosa Guanacaste is definitely one of many underrated locations on the Pacific Coast.
With a method and vibe to go well with households, romantic getaways, and price range travellers, it’s value a go to in Guanacaste.
