meliss35

Which beaches are unsafe to swim at because of the riptides from Playa Hermosa to Tamarindo? We are traveling with our two kids so I don't want them to swim at a beach that is unsafe. Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Playa Hermosa to Tamarindo? Also how far is the drive from Tamarindo to Playa Samara? Is there guarded parking lots in the beach towns to park the car when we are stopping at these towns? We will have our luggage in the car.

ewesthoff

I stayed in Playa Hermosa three years ago with my wife and 1 year old son. There may have been six inch waves when a boat passed by, but it was normally flat as glass and an awesome beach for us. It is about an hour to Tamarindo and is an easy drive, just have to keep your eyes out for potholes and one or two signs. Playa Coco was only 10 or 15 minutes away and also offered a nice place for shopping, restaurants and had a decent sized grocery. Sorry, but don't know how far Samara is. Also, Tamarindo is safe for parking, not sure about Hermosa because we parked at our hotel and that was safe. Just ask if you have any other questions, we loved the entire are, especially Hermosa.

sandyc

I can tell you that Playa Panama is like a giant blue bathtub. They'll be safe there. People surf in Tamarindo, so I'm sure it's more rough.

Sandy

guanacaste

playa hermosa is very safe, no rips and gentle slope waves sometimes get a little too big for very young kids but no problem if they´re being watched or you´re in the water with them:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

Tamarindo does have rips and you should NOT swim anywhere near the estuary, it´s really a surf beach:


http://costa.rica.typepad.com/tamarindo/home/index.html

the drive to samara from hermosa is abnout 1.5hours
samara is safe from rips but the waves can be poowerful for kids, best to be with them when swimming, if you are in samara, make sure to visit playa carrillo next door, one of the prettiest sunsets in costa rica:

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

meliss35

Thanks for the replies. We are staying at El Velero in Playa Hermosa. When we are leaving Hermosa we were planning on driving to Tamarindo and then going to Manuel Antonio. Then I was thinking of maybe driving to Playa Samara cause I heard that it is really nice. Is it worth going there if we are driving all the way to Manuel Antonio on the same day. Or do you think it is too much driving and should skip it? Can you drive along the coast from Playa hermosa to Playa Samara?

rbrazill

<When we are leaving Hermosa we were planning on driving to Tamarindo and then going to Manuel Antonio. Then I was thinking of maybe driving to Playa Samara cause I heard that it is really nice.>
Are you planning to go to Playa Tamarindo and Playa Samara? If so, I don't think it makes much sense. They are only about two hours apart. Pick one or the other (my pick would be Samara, but many others would choose Tamarindo.)

<Can you drive along the coast from Playa hermosa to Playa Samara?> There is no continuous road along the coast there. Basically the road ends at Playa Ocotal and does not resume until Potrero. People have driven over the miles of sand and streams, but it's not worth it. You basically have to drive inland to Filadelfia, and then southwest to the beaches.