Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa is a gorgeous beach located just north of Santa Teresa. It was actually known as San Martin but the tourists began to call it ‘the beautiful beach’ due to which its name stuck. It is the least developed of the four sections of the Malpais and Santa Teresa area of Costa Rica, and many think it has the best beach. The sand is not as white as Santa Teresa, but the beach is much broader, and it’s great for boogie boarding. The surfing is awesome too, and it has a right-hand point break. There are at least three surf camps at Playa Hermosa, and many others bring their beginner students here. The waves can become huge here however (up to 20 feet) and like most beaches, when the surf is gigantic, it can be dangerous. Just south of the main beach of Playa Hermosa is an incredible, huge tidepool in front of Hotel El Rey Patricio, which is a favorite spot for families to take their kids at low tide to learn to swim or snorkel. This large protected pool also has a lot of beautiful sea creatures to see, and nothing dangerous so it’s very safe.