Playa Hermosa Hotels and Lodging

It's important to note that there are two Playa Hermosas in Costa Rica. This can understandably cause some confusion for foreigners. To clear things up: there's one Playa Hermosa located along the Central Pacific coast near Jacó. The other, to which we refer to here, is set along the Nicoya Peninsula's northern coast in the Guanacaste province.

Whoever named this beach got it right — hermosa means "beautiful" in Spanish. Set in a horseshoe-shaped bay and backed by a rugged hillside, the area is indeed gorgeous. The town runs along the coast and has hotels scattered throughout. The northern end has larger hotel complexes (which are continuing to develop), while the southern end retains a more laidback atmosphere. In general, the accommodations in Playa Hermosa are mid-range to luxury options, although a few budget rooms do exist.