Kids friendly beaches

We were surprised by the beaches in CR. In our two weeks there we encountered a number of beaches of black gritty sand with riptides that were not safe for swimming. There are places with more sheltered beaches with calmer water and nice sand, perhaps there will be some good suggestions.

How long do you have for this trip?

Go to the Caribe side, Cahuita, nice small town, has a great NP, easy trails for kids, nice family swimming beach. Further south is Puerto Viejo, nice town and larger than Cahuita and if you continue south to Manzanillo the beaches keep getting more beautiful, a lot of easy swimming, no riptides or big waves. crystal clear water, nice sand.

Tortuguero is a very nice place, fantastic jungle canal area, kids love it as well as adults.

Tortuguero: but no swimming there, unless you stay at a lodge with a pool.

I think the beaches around Puerto Viejo are a better option than Cauhita. There is a safe beach on black sand beach but the beach in front of the national park often has nasty rip tides.

Tortuguero is treacherous beaches...

Go between Playa Cochles and Punta Uva, as well as Manzanillo and Ganduca era all great. (Caribe)

White sand is rare in these parts, more tan to brown, due to volcanoes, this also reflects the light in a more green hue than blue...epsecially the Pacific, which goes to deep water quickly in many areas. Its is also rainy season, so sediment can be a factor...

For the Pacific side, the best beaches for good swimming and some waves, is Tamarindo (get surf lessons for them for gods sake) and also Playa Samara.

The beaches in CR and most this region are all about natural and unkept, though some beaches can be groomed, usually its not, and also there is drift wood, and litter, as well as rip tides and strong currents on the Pacific side especially...

Most the beaches have monkeys near them, so don't leave food unattended.

Thank you for the advice Mrmoto, I never thought about surfing but that is a good idea, I never tryed it myself so maybe it try it too :-)

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