AT A GLANCE
Why go?
Bahía Herradura — or Herradura Bay — is a dark-sand crescent on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, named for the horseshoe shape it carves between two headlands just 4 kilometres north of Jacó. The calm, green-tinted water and surrounding palms make it one of the country's most inviting swimming beaches, while the Los Suenos Marina anchoring the bay's northern end is home to the largest sport-fishing fleet in Costa Rica.↗↗↗
Whether you want to charter a boat after marlin, play a round of championship golf, or simply wade in sheltered water while locals cast fishing lines from the shore, Playa Herradura offers a polished Pacific-coast experience with easy access from San José.↗
A Horseshoe of Calm Water
Herradura means "horseshoe" in Spanish, and the bay lives up to its name: a graceful arc of dark volcanic sand curves between two headlands, sheltering the water inside from the open Pacific swell. The result is a surprisingly calm stretch of sea with crystalline green tones, ideal for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply wading with kids. A small, vegetation-topped island sits offshore on the left side of the shore, adding to the tropical-postcard atmosphere. Unlike neighbouring Jacó, which draws surfers with its consistent breaks, Herradura rewards a gentler pace — you float, you snorkel, you watch the boats go in and out of the marina.
