Major city · Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa, GarabitoPlaya 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, steady offshore winds)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy, stronger currents)
- Airport
- SJO
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Playa Hermosa, Garabito911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Playa Hermosa, Garabito, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyPlaya Hermosa is generally safe for tourists; main risks are ocean rip currents and occasional petty theft – keep valuables secure on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / ambulance · 911 fire
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highway).SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highway).
- Getting aroundTaxi from Jaco $7 (≈ ₡3,500).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₡1,200–2,000
- Street or quick mealPizza slice₡2,500–3,500
- BeerBeer (local bottle)₡1,500–2,200
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Jaco₡3,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 8,000
- Mid-range bedBeachhome villa, a night, per roomCRC 60,000
- High-end bedBeachhome villa, a night, per roomCRC 90,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 12,000 · Mid CRC 20,000 · High CRC 35,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highway)SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north, 3 h drive via Costanera Highway)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Playa Hermosa, Garabito: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxi from Jaco $7 (≈ ₡3,500). Buses run the Costanera Highway; ensure they stop at Playa Hermosa. Walks along the beach are easy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jaco
goDoor to door: ≈ 15 min
Taxi $7 from Jaco, about 10 min; or bus along Costanera Highway
Restaurants, nightlife and larger supermarkets
Esterillos
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min
Taxi or bus south, about 20 min
Another beach town, good for a quick lunch
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡12,000–18,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡18,000–30,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡30,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 2 nights × CRC 12,000 | CRC 48,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CRC 20,000 | CRC 80,000 |
| Taxi Jaco → Playa Hermosa (round‑trip)2 × CRC 3,500 · check | CRC 7,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CRC 2,500 · check | CRC 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 14,000 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 38,500 per person per day, bed included | CRC 154,000 |
2026 estimate in CRC; flights and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No lifeguard; strong rip currents especially at high tide
- Bus stops may be limited – confirm the stop before boarding
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
- Fire
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Playa Hermosa, GarabitoPlaya Hermosa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in San José; other embassies in the capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Jaco → Playa Hermosa taxi: about ₡3,500, 10 min (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does this cost? (kwahn-toh koo-sta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Playa Hermosa, Garabito. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, steady offshore winds) · avoid May–Nov (rainy, stronger currents) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a surf lesson package (check local operators).
- Consider a day‑trip to Manuel Antonio (≈ 1 h 30 min by bus) for rainforest wildlife.
Sources
Ask about Playa Hermosa, Garabito
Loading…
Was this useful?