Photo of Playa Mar Azul with bright sand & rocks surface

Photo of Playa Mar Azul with turquoise pure water surface

Photo of Playa Mar Azul with very clean level of cleanliness

Photo of Playa Mar Azul and the settlement

7.9

Very good

Playa Mar Azul

Q: Is there any food or beverages in the area of Playa Mar Azul?

The bar is located right on the Playa Mar Azul.There are 4 restaurants nearby.Hotel Vista de Olas is the closest place located 800 meters from the beach.

Carmen, Costa Rica

#70 out of 233 in Malpais

7.9

Very good

Free entrance Amenities beach Easy access Perfect for swimming Short walking distance Parking nearby

Click on any feature to view all similar beaches in area

Located within the settlement

Malpais • 0.9 km

Map of beach

Restaurant Hotel Vista de Olas

8 - Very good 980m

Restaurant Ritmo Tropical Restaurant

9 - Excellent 2.2km

Restaurant Ritmo Tropical Hotel

8.8 - Excellent 2.2km

Restaurant Restaurante Playa Carmen

8.6 - Excellent 2.2km

Cafe The Roastery Coffee

9.4 - Excellent 2.3km

Cafe Néctar Tropical

9.8 - Exceptional 2.3km

Cafe The Bakery

9.2 - Excellent 2.4km

Restaurant Las Piedras Parrilla

9.4 - Excellent 2.5km

Cafe Pizzeria Henrry

7 - Good 2.5km

Tourist Attraction Mal Pais Tidepools

9 - Excellent 310m

Tourist Attraction Playa Ventanitas

9 - Excellent 1.4km

Tourist Attraction Las melinas

2km

Tourist Attraction Taxi Boats & Land Transportation - Costa Rica

2.7km

Tourist Attraction Tropico

10 - Exceptional 2.8km

Tourist Attraction Isla Tortuga - Santa Teresa

3.2km

Tourist Attraction Santa Teresa sunset spot

10 - Exceptional 3.5km

Tourist Attraction Visit Pura Vida

3.5km

Tourist Attraction Playa Santa Teresa

3.7km

View all on map

About

Playa Mar Azul is located on the Pacific ocean and it is in the 70th place out of 233 beaches in the Costa Rica region 122.2 km away from its center, the city of San Jose. It is one of the beaches of Malpais settlement, just 0.9 km from its center. The beach is located in an urban area. It is partially covered by trees which give natural shade.

It is a small bay with crystal turquoise water and bright sand & rocks cover, so you don't need special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers etc. It is partially crowded during the high season. There is a campsite located nearby.

Playa Mar Azul coast is free for all. This beach has the following amenities, beach restaurant, toilets. .

Please note, that this shore has a significant low tide.

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities.

This beach is easily accessible, it is located very close to road. Parking is located directly on the beach.

3 more beaches are also available within a 5 km radius. The best one is Santa Teresa Beach, which has a rating of 8.2.

Playa Mar Azul is located in Costa Rica within Malpais, which makes it easily accessible and therefore popular among travelers. In the high season this may cause some discomfort, due to the large influx of tourists.

The beach stretches on the sunny coast, within the boundaries of the settlement, it is not difficult to get to it. If your stay is located not far from the beach, you can reach it by walking. In this case you will not be tied to finding parking or to the schedule of public transport. If you are traveling by car just use your navigator. In any case, do not forget about the availability of public transport and taxis.

Weather

history

+29 ^o C +23 ^o C

Air temperature

3.4 M/S

Wind

+29 ^o C

Water temperature

0.1 M

Wave height

Located within the settlement

Malpais • 0.9 km

Map of beach

Restaurant Hotel Vista de Olas

8 - Very good 980m

Restaurant Ritmo Tropical Restaurant

9 - Excellent 2.2km

Restaurant Ritmo Tropical Hotel

8.8 - Excellent 2.2km

Restaurant Restaurante Playa Carmen

8.6 - Excellent 2.2km

Cafe The Roastery Coffee

9.4 - Excellent 2.3km

Cafe Néctar Tropical

9.8 - Exceptional 2.3km

Cafe The Bakery

9.2 - Excellent 2.4km

Restaurant Las Piedras Parrilla

9.4 - Excellent 2.5km

Cafe Pizzeria Henrry

7 - Good 2.5km

Tourist Attraction Mal Pais Tidepools

9 - Excellent 310m

Tourist Attraction Playa Ventanitas

9 - Excellent 1.4km

Tourist Attraction Las melinas

2km

Tourist Attraction Taxi Boats & Land Transportation - Costa Rica

2.7km

Tourist Attraction Tropico

10 - Exceptional 2.8km

Tourist Attraction Isla Tortuga - Santa Teresa

3.2km

Tourist Attraction Santa Teresa sunset spot

10 - Exceptional 3.5km

Tourist Attraction Visit Pura Vida

3.5km

Tourist Attraction Playa Santa Teresa

3.7km

View all on map

Booking.com

Area

Average rating of nearest beaches is 7.9 (Very good)

View map

Nearest Beaches

1km 14 min walk

Mal Pais Beach Mal Pais Beach

7.7 Very good

1.8km 23 min walk

Playa Cuevas Playa Cuevas

8.1 Very good

4.4km

Santa Teresa Beach Santa Teresa Beach

8.2 Very good

6.3km

Cabo Blanco Beach Cabo Blanco Beach

7.6 Very good

8km

Playa Hermosa Playa Hermosa

8.1 Very good

8.1km

Playa Los Cedros Playa Los Cedros

7.7 Very good

9km

Playa Divina Playa Divina

7.8 Very good

9.7km

Montezuma Beach Montezuma Beach

8 Very good

Localities

Nearest

Malpais • 980m

Main locality of province

San Jose • 122.2km

Transport

Airport

TMU • 20.1km

Bus Station

Terminal de buses de Puntarenas - San José • 53.3km

Train Station

Estación de Tren Caldera • 58.7km

All nearest beaches

You can set the search radius & filter nearest beaches by features

Travelers reviews

Average Reviews rating

7.9 Very good

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Average Reviews rating

7.9 Very good

Kathleen Chase

9 Excellent

This beach is a real hidden treasure! We decided to take an Uber from our hotel in Santa Teresa to get here. The rock formations were absolutely breathtaking, especially during low tide in the late afternoon. We were able to explore some incredible tide pools and my granddaughter had a blast. We also got to witness a beautiful sunset.

March 2023

Bausmass

9 Excellent

This lesser-known beach location is truly enchanting! Our family friends were staying at Indigo Surf & Yoga across the street, and we decided to take a stroll to Playa Mar Azul to witness the sunset. We were treated to a stunning view of the ocean and some wonderful tide pools to investigate. A small bar/restaurant, unofficially managed by some friendly locals, was present, and a group of lively young local children quickly bonded with our kids. We spent the evening doing sunset yoga on the rocky beach before returning home after the sun had set. If you're seeking a tranquil beach location that is off the beaten path, with few tourists and some amiable locals to interact with, you should definitely visit this hidden gem.

March 2023

Joyce Steendrup

8 Very good

This spot is great for surfing, but it's important to be aware of the location of the rocks and the timing of the waves. Without experience, it can be dangerous. Additionally, it's worth noting that this beach offers free public entry.

March 2023

Maggie McAllister

10 Exceptional

I absolutely adore this beach! What's even better is that it has free public access, making it a great spot for anyone looking to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea without breaking the bank.

March 2023

Lexi Rua

6 Pleasant

This beach is a great spot for surfing, especially for left-hand waves. It's a bit of a hidden gem, but worth the effort to find. Just make sure to go during high tide and be aware of the rocks. Plus, it's a public beach with free entry.

March 2023

Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Playa Mar Azul?

The beach has a sandy and rocky covering of gold color. It's very clean, the surface has a mixed fraction. Turquoise and clear water sparkles in the sun. The entrance to the water is a mixture of sand and rocks, so it is highly recommended to wear aqua shoes.

What are the key activities at Playa Mar Azul?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Playa Mar Azul, so you need to take personal items with you and there is a natural shade that can become a lifesaver on a hot day.

Is the Playa Mar Azul good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is comfortable.

Playa Mar Azul is partially protected from waves. The tides are high, so sometimes you have to cross several meters to get to the water.

So the overall recommendation of the Playa Mar Azul for swimming is very positive.

Is the Playa Mar Azul good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. On the beach, there are minimal sufficient amenities such as sun loungers or beach bar. It's covered with mixture of sand and stones and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Playa Mar Azul secluded and good for relaxing?

There are several buildings near the beach. During the high season, the beach can get very crowded, making it an unsuitable place for those looking for a relaxing holiday.

What are the key audiences of Playa Mar Azul?

Playa Mar Azul can be a good place for the following groups of travelers:

Campers

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Playa Mar Azul?

The bar is located right on the Playa Mar Azul.

There are 4 restaurants nearby.Hotel Vista de Olas is the closest place located 800 meters from the beach.

How far is the Playa Mar Azul from parking?

The Playa Mar Azul has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. The approximate distance from parking is less than 100 metres.

Are there any attractions nearby Playa Mar Azul?

There are 4 attractions near Playa Mar Azul that are popular with travelers. The nearest are Mal Pais Tidepools located in 0.2 km. See the attractions section for details.

What is the best time of the year to visit Playa Mar Azul?

The month with the highest temperature in Playa Mar Azul is March. Its average value reaches 34°C. The warmest sea is in April, the average value is 30°C. The coldest month is October with air temperature 28°C and water 27°C. See more details in weather section.