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Home / Beaches / Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa

Пляж Эрмоса
Costa Rica · Beach · Uvita
moderate
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers. Suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and sunset watching. Not suitable for families with small children or weak swimmers due to strong currents.

Best month

January

Water
+28.4°C
Length
9 000 m
Playa Hermosa, whose name translates as "Beautiful Beach", features a calm atmosphere and scenic views. It has a less crowded setting and soft sand, popular for a quiet retreat.
Surface
sand
Waves
strong
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Hermosa, whose name translates as "Beautiful Beach", features a calm atmosphere and scenic views. It has a less crowded setting and soft sand, popular for a quiet retreat.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • 9-km beach with dark sand
  • Powerful waves for surfing
  • Secluded atmosphere
  • Scenic sunsets
  • Close to Marino Ballena National Park
  • Free access
  • Surf schools and board rental

Cons

  • Strong currents and waves
  • No lifeguards along the entire beach
  • Limited infrastructure
  • Dark sand
  • Crowded on weekends
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers. Suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and sunset watching. Not suitable for families with small children or weak swimmers due to strong currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach connects with Uvita Beach, forming a sandbar shaped like a whale-s tail (tombolo) in Marino Ballena National Park.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
grey
Sand Texture
Grain size
medium
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
9 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
grey
Water Clarity
moderate
Underwater Visibility
8.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.4 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.7 °C
Wave Type
strong
Wave Height
1.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is popular with locals and tourists. The main risks are related to strong currents.
Dangerous creatures
stingrays
crocodiles (at river mouth)
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Beyan Restaurant

International

Popular restaurant in nearby Uvita with a diverse menu

Kinsu Restaurante

International, Seafood

Restaurant with fresh seafood and ocean views

Nearby cuisines

International

International dishes at restaurants in nearby Uvita

Must try: Seafood, pasta, tacos

Costa Rican

Traditional cuisine with rice and beans

Must try: Gallo pinto, casado
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
uncrowded
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Hat Sunglasses First aid kit Surfboard
Best Time to Swim
The best time for surfing is from May to November. For swimming — dry season from December to April. In the morning the water is calmer.
Local Rules
There are no lifeguards — swim with caution. Do not leave litter. Watch the tides.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Marino Ballena National Park

Marine park with whale tail and rich marine life, 5 km away

Uvita

Town with restaurants and shops, 5 km from the beach

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Hermosa: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — grey, clarity moderate, average temperature +28.4°C, warms up to +29.7°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Hermosa: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — strong. Average wave height — 1.5 m. Strong waves will please surfers but require caution when swimming with children.
Playa Hermosa: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Playa Hermosa: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — grey. Texture — medium. Beach length — 9 000 metres.
Playa Hermosa: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Hermosa: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Hermosa: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: stingrays, crocodiles (at river mouth). We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Hermosa: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Hermosa: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor.
Playa Hermosa: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Beyan Restaurant, Kinsu Restaurante. Cuisines available: International, Costa Rican. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Hermosa: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Hat, Sunglasses, First aid kit, Surfboard.
Playa Hermosa: when is the best time to swim?
The best time for surfing is from May to November. For swimming — dry season from December to April. In the morning the water is calmer.
Playa Hermosa: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
There are no lifeguards — swim with caution. Do not leave litter. Watch the tides.
Playa Hermosa: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Hermosa: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for intermediate and advanced surfers. Suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and sunset watching. Not suitable for families with small children or weak swimmers due to strong currents.
Playa Hermosa: what makes this beach unique?
The beach connects with Uvita Beach, forming a sandbar shaped like a whale-s tail (tombolo) in Marino Ballena National Park.
Playa Hermosa: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: 9-km beach with dark sand, Powerful waves for surfing, Secluded atmosphere, Scenic sunsets, Close to Marino Ballena National Park, Free access, Surf schools and board rental. Cons: Strong currents and waves, No lifeguards along the entire beach, Limited infrastructure, Dark sand, Crowded on weekends.
Playa Hermosa: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Marino Ballena National Park, Uvita. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Hermosa: how do I get to the city of Uvita?
The beach is located near the city of Uvita. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Uvita.

City

Uvita

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.