Do not confuse this Playa Hermosa with the one in the Central Pacific or North Guanacaste; Playa Hermosa in the Southern Pacific is a beach that goes on for miles until it joins up with Playa Uvita at the Whale's Tail, separated only by a sand bar.

If you access the beach through the northern entrance, you will cross a stream and come to a pebbly surf spot, with challenging waves over rocky outcrop. This part of the beach is suitable for experts surfers only.

At the second or third entrance further south, the beach is popular with families and surf beginners' it is more flat and sandy here, and you can walk for hours towards the south without a soul in sight.

Be careful not to leave valuables in your rental car on this beach. It has a history with rental cars being broken into. Burglars like this beach because they can get away very quickly being just a step from the highway. See our Travel Tips section for advice on how to travel safetly in Costa Rica.