Playa Hermosa / Hermosa Beach
All you need to know about Playa Hermosa Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa in English translates to “Beautiful Beach” and this says it all! The town is a short twenty five minute drive on paved roads from the Daniel Oduber International Airport and is the quaint peaceful beach town– the second closest beach town to an international airport in all of Costa Rica! This quiet quiet bedroom community offers a high quality lifestyle with a great mix of North Americans, Europeans and Ticos (an endearing name for people from Costa Rica). Offering a wonderful year round climate, Playa Hermosa is a great place for retirement, vacation or investment in homes or condos starting in the low $200,000 and going up to some of the most expensive homes in all of Costa Rica. There is something for almost everyone. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the hills surrounding the horseshoe bay where your neighbors are beautiful tropical birds and the infamous howler monkeys. The ocean views are comparable to those along the California coast without the hefty price and tax implications that goes with it! Costa Rica has been compared to Hawaii of the 1960’s so the opportunities are still here!
The beach itself is tremendously beautiful with soft sand that is a salt and pepper color with no riptides or undercurrents. Picnic benches are scattered along the beach under the trees for a great day of family fun. Playa Hermosa is one of only 29 Certified “BLUE FLAG” beaches in the Pacific Northwest region of Costa Rica a government designation for beaches that are clean and have environmental practices in place. This great swimming beach is safe for children and people of all ages! Occasionally the waves are just big enough for fun yet safe boogey boarding. Sport fishing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and diving are just some of the activities offered along with all the regular beach fun. Every spot on the beach enjoys a perfect view of the famous Monkey Head Rock (named for the strong resemblance of a monkey’s face that can be easily seen as you pass by on a boat) and the Four Seasons Luxury resort. Many of the homes and condos in the area are within walking distance of the beach, a great plus for those wanting to live here without renting or owning a vehicle.
Playa Hermosa offers great hotels, bars and restaurants with some scattered along the ocean front that include - Ginger, Villa del Sueño, The Sand Bar, Roberto’s, El Velero Hotel, La Casita de Mariscos, Aqua Sport, Bochelli’s and the Bosque Del Mar Hotel. Not to leave out some all-time favorites for the kids are the movie theatre: showing first run movies in English, miniature golf, gymnasium as well as some of the best Pizza around. Super Luperon and pharmacy, the local grocery story right in the center of town, will fulfill most of your shopping needs from fresh produce to fine imported wines to dog food for your pets. For more choice in shopping and restaurants, Playas del Coco, just 10 kilometers away, is the main shopping and entertainment spot for the area - it offers great shopping with four supermarkets including the Auto Mercado which is like walking into the better supermarkets of the US, Canada and Europe.