Costa Rica Beaches

Costa Rica has year-round warm water and plenty of broad, deserted beaches on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

Costa Rica's beaches rank among the best in the world. Two thirds of Costa Rica's borders are coastline, there are a whole lot of beaches to explore.

Nicoya Peninsula - which starts about 4 hours from San José.Montezuma is on the inner rim of the Gulf of Nicoya, crossing by ferry from Puntarenas. It is a popular destination for the younger foreign crowd. Costa Rica's largest peninsula is ringed by so many blissful strips of sand, it deserves a top ten list of its own. Besides livelier beach cities like Montezuma.Nicoya Península, Guanacaste's coast is divided by rocky points into dozens of beaches. Those on the Santa Elena Península are wild and isolated, visited only by adventurous nature lovers, dedicated surfers, and nesting sea turtles. The Gulf of Papagayo, to the south of that península, features more accessible beaches, many of which slope down into the tranquil waters of Culebra Bay.

Puntarenas is the old main port on the Pacific. It is a good point to start expeditions into Guanacaste and down the Pacific coast because there are ferries that take you across the Gulf of Nicoya here and onto the Nicoya Peninsula.the beach that stretches along the city is a bit urban, the coast by the mouth of the nearby Barranca River offers a more natural setting, and excellent conditions for surfing.

Tamarindo Beach North Pacific, one of the best surf and windsurfing spots, with good town facilities.Tamarindo's natural perks make the splurge worth it -- on the beautiful beaches adjacent to Tamarindo, giant leatherback turtles (and others) annually clamber ashore to lay their eggs.

South from Puntarenas about 1 hour, one can find Jaco Beach. This is a major tourist attraction for Costa Rican tourists and foreigners alike. Jaco is in such close proximity to San Jose. it flourishes with nightlife, international dining options, and even casinos.

Mexican Beaches

Mexico has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and there are plenty of choices of resorts to suit every taste and budget, however, there are some things you should consider before putting your money down on your beach vacation.

Mexico's beaches are no longer just for the well-to-do. Today, resorts on the country's Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer something for every taste, and budget. Even during the high season (October through May), room rates at the poshest resorts can start as low as $150 per night. What's more, most Americans can make the trip to Mexico in little more than a two-hour flight.

Nearly 100 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches with brilliant turquoise colored water are located just South of Cancun. Called the Riviera Maya or Mayan Riviera, this world-renowned paradise offers mangroves and lagoons, ancient Mayan cities, ecological reserves and the world's second largest coral reef.

The Mayan Riviera runs along the Caribbean coastline of the state of Quintana Roo. Beginning 32 km south of Cancun, in Puerto Morelos, it extends down to Punta Allen, a fishing village within the Sian Ka'an Reserve.

Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo, was previously a long strip of forest flanked by beaches. Cancun's history as a resort area dates back only to 1970, when the Mexican government chose the spot for development as a tourist destination. It is now the biggest resort area in the country, with a population near 500 000, but receiving over 3 million visitors annually.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the more well known, particularly among divers who travel to the area for the migration of humpbacked whales each winter.

Acapulco is another Pacific Coast favorite, with a huge collection of Mexico beach resorts all along the shore.


Cancun is divided into three distinct areas. "Ciudad Cancun" (Cancun City), a somewhat typical Mexican town on the mainland, contrasts strikingly with the impressive hotel zone, "Isla Cancun" (Cancun Island). There is also an ecological reserve with mangroves and lagoons.