There are two beaches named Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica. The first is located in the province of Puntarenas, while the other Playa Hermosa lies in Guanacaste. The Playa Hermosa, Puntarenas is just five kilometers south of Jaco, and is one of the best surfing havens for professionals both national and international, in the country.
Located just at a ten-minute drive away from the beach town of Jaco, and a short drive from the capital San Jose, Playa Hermosa offers surfers some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the world. It is important to mention that the currents in Playa Hermosa are very strong and are not ideal for swimming. Jaco offers waves for both beginners and experienced surfers to enjoy, and Playa Hermosa is an expert surfer’s beach with waves reaching as high as 13 feet. Here you may find a number of economical surf board rental shops on the beach as well that stow gear and rent out surfboards.
Playa Hermosa holds the International Quicksilver Surf Championships every year in August that literally brings hundreds of expert surfers here from all over the globe. From April to November the tide is high and rising and it is the best time to surf in Playa Hermosa. Located in front of a large tree known as ‘El Almendro’ or the ‘Almond Tree’, there is one of the most well known breaks on the beach.
The economical accommodations in Playa Hermosa are rather sparse, that’s why most surfers tend stay in Jaco, which has a number of quality bars, hotels, restaurants, resorts and rooms for rent. People often prefer to surf the black sand beach of Hermosa to Jaco, as this beach is often empty during the week. But there are also some very nice higher end hotels in Playa Hermosa.
Playa Hermosa is also perfect for spending a day lounging in the sun with a good book, as not many people come here often. You could take a day trip to Costa Rica’s most famous national park, the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, which is about 45 minutes away or you may visit the Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge, which protects the Olive Ridley sea turtles that come to nest here every year.
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