In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa, Garabito
Playa Hermosa
Spend 2 days: surf in the morning, relax on the beach in the afternoon, then head back to Jaco or continue south.
Playa Hermosa is a small surf village with a 12 km black‑sand beach, consistent waves year‑round and basic services. Two days let you surf, swim at low tide, and sample local eateries before moving on.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Local name
- Playa Hermosa
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, steady offshore winds)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy, stronger currents)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡12,000–18,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡18,000–30,000 excl. bed · High ₡30,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ₡1,200–2,000 |
| Pizza slice | ₡2,500–3,500 |
| Beer (local bottle) | ₡1,500–2,200 |
| Taxi from Jaco | ₡3,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SJO · Juan Santamaría International Airport
- about 150 km (93 mi) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highwayabout 93 mi (150 km) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highway
Typical fares
- Jaco → Playa Hermosa taxi
- about ₡3,500, 10 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxi from Jaco $7 (≈ ₡3,500). Buses run the Costanera Highway; ensure they stop at Playa Hermosa. Walks along the beach are easy.
See and do
Known for
- surfing
- black‑sand beach
- weekly surf contests
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jaco | Taxi $7 from Jaco, about 10 min; or bus along Costanera Highway | ≈ 15 min |
| Esterillos | Taxi or bus south, about 20 min | ≈ 30 min |
Sleep
- Beachhome
- Luxury villas, $40 +/night, near the beach
- Surf Inn Hermosa
- Oceanfront boutique inn, $120 +/night
- Cabinas Brisa Del Mar
- $30 +/night per person, 2‑person minimum
- Coconut Office Coworking
- Apartments with high‑speed internet, price check
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwahn-toh koo-sta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don-de es-ta el ba-nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- No lifeguard; strong rip currents especially at high tide
- Bus stops may be limited – confirm the stop before boarding
Playa Hermosa is generally safe for tourists; main risks are ocean rip currents and occasional petty theft – keep valuables secure on the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Playa Hermosa, Garabito yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- surfing
- black‑sand beach
- weekly surf contests
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Costa Rica Tourism Board: www.visitcostarica.com/en
- Wikivoyage: Playa Hermosa (Garabito), revision 5288139 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5288139
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Playa Hermosa, GarabitoPlaya Hermosa
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US consulate in San José; other embassies in the capital.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/playa-hermosa-garabito). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.