Playa Hermosa

Central Pacific Coast

Playa Hermosa

A wild, powerful surf break south of Jacó

30 minutes from Macaw Crest 25 km away

The Place

Playa Hermosa is a long, dark-sand beach just south of Jacó known for its powerful, consistent surf break. Unlike the gentle waves of Jacó Bay, Hermosa's open-ocean swell attracts experienced surfers and hosts an annual international surf competition. The beach is backed by a thin line of palm trees and a handful of low-key surf lodges.

North of the main break, Playa Hermosa is also a protected sea-turtle nesting site, where olive ridley turtles come ashore during the wet season. The local community works with conservation groups to protect nests from poachers and predators.

For Macaw Crest residents who surf — or who simply appreciate an uncrowded, dramatic beach — Hermosa is the destination when Jacó feels too busy. It is a place for serious waves, long beach walks, and sunset dinners at the surf lodges before the drive back up the mountain.

What You'll Experience

Signature moments near Playa Hermosa

Powerful, consistent open-ocean surf break for experienced surfers

Annual international surf competition host

Protected olive ridley sea-turtle nesting beach

Long, uncrowded dark-sand stretch

Laid-back surf-lodge dining

Stories from Playa Hermosa

The area, through the Macaw Crest lens

2026-08-26 · Journal

The Raw Beauty of Playa Hermosa: A Coastal Escape Near Macaw Crest

Discover the wild, powerful allure of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica’s premier surf destination, and why it pairs perfectly with the serene heights of Macaw Crest.

Latest from Playa Hermosa

New Coastal Trail Connectivity Enhances Access to Playa Hermosa

A newly improved trail corridor now links the Bijagual mountain region with the southern access points of Playa Hermosa, making beach days easier for our residents.

Your Basecamp

Live above it all at Macaw Crest Estates

Twenty-six homesites rise 1,500 feet above the Pacific, minutes from Playa Hermosa yet worlds apart in serenity. Claim your ridge — and let the coast, the canopy, and the waterfall be your everyday.

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