Costa Rica has placed three beaches on the 2026 Corona Beach 100 list, with Playa Cocles, Playa Conchal and Playa Uvita named among the brand’s selected coastal destinations for the year. The guide features 100 oceanfront spots across six continents, and Corona says the 2026 edition adds 27 new beaches built around three criteria: beachside culture, connection to nature and scenic aesthetics.
The Costa Rican choices highlight three very different coastal regions: the Caribbean, northern Guanacaste and the South Pacific. Playa Cocles, near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Limón, represents the country’s Caribbean side. The beach is known for its surf, wide sand and easy access from Puerto Viejo, making it one of the area’s most-visited coastal stops. Corona’s official Beach 100 page lists Cocles under Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón.
Playa Conchal, in Guanacaste, was also included. It is one of our best-known Pacific destinations, recognized for its shell-filled sand, clear water and proximity to Brasilito, Flamingo and Tamarindo. Corona’s page frames Conchal as a spot for calm water and relaxed beach time.
The third Costa Rican beach on the list is Playa Uvita, in Osa, Puntarenas. Located near Marino Ballena National Park, Uvita is best known for the whale-tail sandbar that emerges at low tide and for its role as a hub for whale-watching tours during migration seasons. Corona’s listing places Uvita in Uvita de Osa, Puntarenas.
Three Coasts, Three Travel Styles
The recognition is useful for tourism here because the three beaches capture the range of our country’s coastal appeal. Cocles offers Caribbean surf and culture. Conchal gives travelers a classic Guanacaste beach stop close to major tourism infrastructure. Uvita connects beach tourism with national parks, marine wildlife and the South Pacific route toward Dominical, Ojochal and the Osa Peninsula.
The three also suit different itineraries. Cocles pairs naturally with Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and the southern Caribbean. Conchal is easiest for visitors flying into Guanacaste Airport in Liberia. Uvita works well for travelers heading down the Costanera Sur and combining beach time with whale watching, waterfalls and national park visits.
A Brand Guide, Not an Official Ranking
The list is a brand-led travel guide, not a government ranking. Still, it adds another international mention for Costa Rica at a time when beach destinations across Central America are competing harder for visitors, especially travelers chasing nature, surf, wildlife and smaller coastal towns.
Costa Rica’s presence on the 2026 Corona Beach 100 list reinforces a familiar point which is our beach identity is not limited to one coast or one type of vacation. Our strongest draw for tourists remains the mix of Pacific and Caribbean beaches, protected areas, surf towns and wildlife-rich coastal communities packed into a small country.
