Costa Rica Journal 2013: Excursion to Playa Hermosa

Sunday, February 17

What a delightful day we had! After spending a lazy Sunday morning and early afternoon at home, we took a taxi to the Pacifico development in El Coco, where Bob exercised at the gym while I read a few chapters in an exciting novel (Trapeze by Simon Mawer). We then had these delightful cold coffee drinks at Congo, a store/cafe in the same complex. From there, we hailed a taxi and headed for Playa Hermosa, the next beach north of Playas del Coco.

The ride over to Hermosa was beautiful. For the first time, we were up on the ridge dividing Coco from Hermosa and we had a wonderful view of the bay and little town of Hermosa as we approached. The town is not as developed as El Coco and has a tidier, more aesthetic, appeal.

We never did see much of the town. The taxi driver dropped us off at the beach around 4:30 in the afternoon. We took a stroll along the beach to the south, towards Coco, and then turned and walked most of the beach in the other direction. It was late afternoon and low tide, and walking barefoot along the beach was a delight.

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

We have seen four different northern Pacific Costa Rican beaches now, and it is clear that each one is different, has its own unique look and charm. So far, Playa Hermosa has become our favorite. The landscape is lovely, the beach is clean and there is a wide stretch of flat sand, the ocean provides some wave action but is not overpowering, and there is plenty of shade along the whole stretch of beach.

Late afternoon we settled into the beach bar at El Velaro Hotel, ordered a couple of margaritas, and relaxed into the approaching sunset.

Margaritas at El Velaro Hotel, Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. (Photo by Connie)

A little later, we moved into the outdoor restaurant, photographed the sunset, then ordered our dinner: Caesar salad, pollo Russo (chicken Kiev), and a brownie sin (without) a la mode (they were out of ice cream).