Guanacaste is called the “sunny aspect of Costa Rica” resulting from the truth that it’s sunny a lot of the 12 months. For these in quest of sunny skies and for a sandy trip, head to the attractive seashores in Guanacaste to get your repair.
The province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, actually has all of it, which makes it so fashionable with vacationers and locals. Not solely are Guanacaste seashores a few of Costa Rica’s greatest, however in addition they provide loads of actions, starting from snorkelling, scuba diving, diving safaris, kayaking, jet snowboarding, fishing, browsing, and crusing.
Dozens of seashores span alongside the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica and these are the very best of them!
The very best seashores in Guanacaste embrace nice surf.
Map of Guanacaste, Costa Rica
1. Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is likely one of the extra fashionable seashores within the North of Guanacaste. It’s a few 30-minute drive from the Daniel Oduber Worldwide Airport in Liberia, roughly 27km (17 miles) away. That is the kind of seaside to flee to if all you need to do is get some much-needed R&R.
Hermosa means ‘lovely’ in Spanish, which is a no brainer to explain the fantastic thing about this aquatic gem. Though positioned between Playas del Coco and Playa Panama, Hermosa doesn’t see as many crowds as its shut neighbours. Stretching 2 km (1.25 miles) huge, Hermosa boasts loads of bushes for optimum shade.
There are tons to do on Playa Hermosa – together with swimming, snorkelling and diving safaris, kayaking, jet snowboarding, and extra – however the essential exercise on this lovely seaside is stress-free! Nonetheless, if you’re on the lookout for some journey within the space, you’ll discover it simply 1 hour away in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park.
In relation to sustainability, Playa Hermosa demonstrates excessive environmental requirements and wonderful security services, making it a winner of the Bandera Azul or Blue Flag award. Hermosa has a small choice of eating choices, which are usually on the upper finish compared to different spots in Costa Rica.
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
2. Playas Del Coco
As one of many oldest Guanacaste seashores, Playas del Coco is understood for drawing in overseas and native guests searching for enjoyable within the solar. Situated solely half-hour away from the Daniel Oduber Worldwide Airport in Liberia, Playas del Coco is well-situated near many facilities. There are many lodges, eating places, markets, and retailers in Playas del Coco, making it a well-liked vacation spot to base your self whereas exploring Guanacaste.
Regardless of the actual fact Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is understood for excellent browsing seashores, you gained’t have the ability to discover waves at Playa del Coco. However different water actions, like sports activities fishing, kayaking, crusing and extra, can be found in Playa del Coco.
Playa del Coco, Costa Rica
3. Playa Ocotal
3 km (1.85 miles) south of Playa del Coco lies Playa Ocotal, which is understood to be one of many cleanest and quietest of Guanacaste seashores and one other awardee of the ecological Blue Flag Program. From the Liberia Airport, this peaceable spot is just a 40-minute drive away.
This hidden gem, positioned within the Guanacaste province, boasts comfortable, golden sands bordered by lush greenery and putting rock formations, creating a surprising backdrop in opposition to the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Playa Ocotal is famend for its clear, calm waters, making it a super spot for swimming, snorkelling, and diving fanatics. The underwater world teems with vibrant marine life, fish, turtles and even sharks, and vibrant coral reefs, providing a peaceable expertise for nature lovers.
Ocotal Seaside, Costa Rica
4. Playa Grande
Environmental fanatics will love exploring the Blue Flag-awarded Playa Grande – a key space of the Marino Las Baulas Nationwide Park.
Playa Grande is solely accessible within the daytime to assist protect the pure habitats of leatherback turtles that come ashore to construct nesting websites and lay their eggs right here between Might and October. Driving to this aspect of the north Pacific Coast will take about 2 hours from the Liberia Airport.
The locals take delight in preserving this seaside to its most pure state and it’s proven with its pristine sand and crystal clear waters. It creates a secure haven for the turtles to put their eggs correctly. The seaside provides wonderful browsing circumstances. Nonetheless, robust currents and steep sea backside make it tough to swim.
One other fashionable exercise for nature lovers is to go to the Rio Matapalo Estuary for chook watching and to discover wildlife.
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
5. Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo or Flamingo Seaside is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in Guanacaste. It’s a fashionable seaside vacation spot recognized for its huge, sandy shores and calm waters.
In contrast to a few of its extra secluded counterparts, Playa Flamingo caters to a mixture of vacationers and locals, providing a spread of lodging, eating places, and actions. The seaside itself is expansive, offering ample house for sunbathing and informal strolls alongside the shoreline.
The waters are comparatively calm, making the seaside appropriate for varied water sports activities and actions, together with swimming and boating.
Playa Flamingo’s marina is a hub for fishing excursions and boat excursions, permitting guests to discover the close by coastal waters. The encompassing space options a mixture of residential and industrial developments, offering handy entry to facilities.
Aerial view of Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo or Flamingo Seaside, Costa Rica
6. Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal, located on the Guanacaste coast of Costa Rica, provides a distinctive coastal expertise distinct from its neighbouring seashores.
What units Playa Conchal aside is its charming shoreline, composed not of conventional sand however somewhat thousands and thousands of crushed seashells, creating a particular and visually putting atmosphere. The seaside is understood for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and delicate surf, making it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling.
Surrounded by lush greenery and nestled inside a protected cove, Playa Conchal has a extra secluded and pure ambiance in comparison with busier seashores within the area. Guests can discover the close by mangroves or take a leisurely stroll alongside the shoreline, admiring the marine life seen by way of the clear waters. Whereas the seaside lacks the industrial growth present in another coastal areas, the unique W Conchal supplies an expensive lodging possibility for these searching for a quieter and extra nature-focused seaside expertise in Costa Rica.
It’s comparatively straightforward to get right here because the seaside is conveniently shut to 2 airports: the Tamarindo Airport (solely a 20-minute drive away) and Liberia Airport (an hour away).
Notice that except you’re staying on the W, Playa Conchal isn’t accessible by automobile, so if you wish to spend a day having fun with its lovely shores, plan to park at Playa Brasilito and stroll for about 1km to succeed in the attractive Playa Conchal!
Conchal Seaside
7. Playa Brasilito
In contrast to its neighbouring seashores, Playa Brasilito supplies an genuine native vibe with out the hustle and bustle of vacationers.
Situated 45 minutes away from the Liberia Airport and only a quick distance from the city of the identical identify, Playa Brasilito, with its golden sands, is embraced by an area fishing group, creating a real and unpretentious environment.
In contrast to its extra well-known neighbours, this seaside retains a country appeal, with a small village really feel and a handful of native eating places serving scrumptious seafood dishes. The seaside itself was awarded the Blue Flag standing as one of many nation’s cleanest and most well-maintained seashores. It’s much less crowded, offering a quieter setting for leisure and reflection. Whereas the surf is usually calm, it’s nonetheless appropriate for swimming, and the seaside provides a picturesque backdrop for leisurely walks at sundown.
Brasilito Seaside and Conchal Seaside from above
8. Playa Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo, located on the northwestern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a bustling and vibrant seaside city recognized for its energetic environment and various vary of actions.
The seaside contains a lengthy stretch of golden sand, attracting surfers, sunbathers, and seaside fanatics alike. Tamarindo is famend as a browsing hotspot, providing constant waves appropriate for each rookies and skilled surfers.
Playa Tamarindo can be good for swimming, stress-free, and sunbathing, with its 3.5km stretch of sandy, white seaside.
However this Guanacaste seaside provides extra than simply countless partying and browsing. Past the seaside, the city is lined with a mixture of surf retailers, eating places, and bars, making a full of life social scene.
Guests can discover the estuary, dwelling to various wildlife, or embark on boat excursions for fishing or snorkelling excursions. Whereas Playa Tamarindo is livelier in comparison with a few of its tranquil counterparts, it stays a well-liked vacation spot for these searching for a mixture of seaside leisure, water sports activities, and vibrant nightlife.
Tamarindo Seaside at sundown
Tamarindo from above
9. Playa Langosta
Situated simply south of Tamarindo and about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the Liberia Airport, Playa Langosta is the most effective seashores in Guanacaste to chill out and unwind, even incomes a Blue Flag for its shores.
Do some browsing, seaside strolling or boogie boarding, or just lay on the sand with a superb e book and the solar shining down. There are only some palm bushes, which make for high quality suntanning time. Right here at Playa Langosta, you’ll discover loads of small mattress and breakfasts and rental properties dotted alongside the shore. There are a couple of eating places in Langosta, however extra selection may be present in Tamarindo.
Langosta Seaside, Tamarindo
10. Playa Avellanas
Surfers, get your boards prepared and head to Playa Avellanas, additionally referred to by locals as “little Hawaii.” Playa Avellanas packs waves that attain as much as eighteen ft excessive, making it the spot to take a look at for surfers of all expertise ranges (nevertheless, if you happen to’re a novice, we’d suggest you do the smaller waves)! From the Liberia Airport, it’ll take you 1-2 hours to get right here by automobile.
Playa Avellanas is a fantastic Blue Flag-status seaside appropriate not only for surfers, however for anybody trying to spend a day on the seaside. The seaside stretches for over 3 kms providing loads of house to chill out and catch some solar rays in the course of the day.
The beachside restaurant, Lola’s, provides loads of nice meals and drinks to maintain you fortunately parked on this seaside for hours on finish!
Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica
11. Playa Negra
One other surfer’s paradise awaits at Playa Negra, a relaxed dark-coloured sand seaside recognized for its world-class waves.
However not solely that, Playa Negra supplies one thing for everybody, particularly those that are on the lookout for a laid-back life-style and to flee the bustle of the opposite browsing communities in Costa Rica. Playa Negra is a few 2-hour drive from the Liberia Airport and 45 minutes from the Tamarindo Airport.
Playa Negra, Costa Rica
12. Playa Junquillal
In search of journey? Look no additional than Playa Junquillal, positioned half-hour south of Tamarindo. It’s one other bearer of the distinguished Blue Flag and is likely one of the greatest seashores in Guanacaste to fill your journey wants.
Except for browsing – which we must always add has a number of the greatest waves to catch – the world provides actions together with kayaking, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing. A drive down will take you 1hr and 15 min from Liberia Airport, and 45 minutes from Tamarindo. On land, you possibly can partake in actions akin to mountain bike using, horseback using and sightseeing.
Playa Junquillal provides a number of the most beautiful sunsets on this a part of Costa Rica so ensure you take a second when you stroll alongside the shores.
13. Playa San Juanillo
For these on the lookout for a”‘true” Costa Rican expertise ought to add Playa San Juanillo to their itinerary. From Liberia Airport, San Juanillo is 97km (61 miles) away which is roughly a 2-hour drive.
San Juanillo is understood for its calm waters, making it an ultimate spot for swimming and snorkelling. The underwater world close to the shore boasts vibrant marine life and coral formations, offering an immersive expertise for snorkelers. The seaside is comparatively undeveloped, with restricted industrial institutions, sustaining a extra rustic and untouched really feel.
San Juanillo seaside, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
14. Playa Pelada
Playa Pelada, positioned close to Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula, provides a quieter and extra secluded coastal expertise. The seaside, positioned 114km (71 miles) away or a 2.5-hour drive from Liberia Airport, is understood for its uncooked and rugged magnificence, characterised by darkish volcanic sands and dramatic rocky formations.
In contrast to a number of the extra developed seashores within the area, Playa Pelada maintains a pure and untouched ambiance, with restricted infrastructure and a deal with preserving its pristine atmosphere. It even has the Blue Flag seal of approval.
The shoreline is dotted with tide swimming pools, offering a possibility for exploration and the prospect to watch marine life in its pure habitat. Playa Pelada is surrounded by lush coastal vegetation, making a picturesque backdrop for beachgoers.
Whereas the waves right here may be extra sturdy, it stays a favorite spot for surfers searching for a much less crowded break. The seaside is adjoining to the city of Nosara, providing a laid-back environment and a mixture of native appeal with a couple of beachfront eating places and cafes.
Secluded part of Playa Pelada
15. Playa Guiones
There’s one thing about Playa Guiones that normally attracts a whole lot of vacationers to its shores. It may very well be its lovely powder-white sands. Or possibly it’s the water good for surfers – each newbie and skilled – to catch a wave.
Or maybe it’s as a result of a number of the shorelines obtained a Blue Flag for its pristine, eco-friendly and well-maintained seashores, making this one of many cleanest Guanacaste seashores. No matter your reasoning, Playa Guiones is one other lovely seaside positioned within the city of Nosara.
When the tide is low, contemplate trekking the whole 7 km (4.34 miles) of the seaside by foot or by car. And, if timed accurately with the tides, you possibly can go to close by Playa Rosada (Pink Seaside). For rookies wanting a style of the surf life, there are various surf faculties in Playa Guiones and it’s an ideal place to discover ways to surf.
Watching the surf at Playa Guiones
One of many few retailers in Playa Guiones.
16. Playa Samara
Playa Samara, positioned on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, is a chief vacation spot for households and easy-going travellers.
The seaside itself boasts a large expanse of sentimental, pale sand and delicate waves, making it an inviting vacation spot for each swimmers and novice surfers. Palm bushes line the shore, offering pockets of shade and a tropical ambiance.
Samara city, adjoining to the seaside, provides a laid-back vibe with a mixture of native retailers, eating places, and lodging. Driving to the small city will take you about 2.5 hours from Liberia Airport. On the seaside, you possibly can take your choose of many actions like horseback using, arise paddleboarding, yoga, kayaking and extra.
Playa Samara, Costa Rica
Playa Sámara
17. Playa Carillo
Only a quick distance away from Playa Samara is Playa Carillo, positioned about 2.5 hours from Liberia Airport. Just like its sister city of Samara, Carillo provides the identical relaxation and leisure however on a a lot smaller scale. This implies lodge, restaurant and nightlife choices are restricted on this city.
Many palm bushes dot the shores of Playa Carillo. Making it considered one of Guanacaste seashores completely suited to travellers who need the nice and cozy climate blended with shade to chill off.Carillo is sort of rugged and solely turning into extra developed after the growth of a paved highway working south between Samara and Carillo.
Regardless of its rugged enchantment, Carillo stays some of the untouched and cleanest seashores in Costa Rica (thus rewarding it with the Blue Flag award), and nonetheless makes an ideal location for actions like swimming and snorkelling.
Playa Carillo, Sámara, Guanacaste
Every provides one thing completely different to everybody, however it’s secure to say you cannot go incorrect in selecting which of the attractive seashores in Guanacaste to go to. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for some journey, an ideal browsing seaside or a soothing seaside for the household, Guanacaste seashores have gotten you sorted.