Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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21. Nesting Giant Leatherback Turtles
Playa Grande used to host the world's largest visitation of nesting giant leatherback turtles, but the number of turtles has fallen drastically in the past 20 years, from a high of 1,504 in 1989 to less than 40 currently. This loss is due to long-line commercial fishing boats that trap turtles in their nets, causing the turtles to drown, along with poaching of turtle eggs and loss of habitat. The beach is still strictly off-limits 6 pm to 6 am from October 20 to February 15, during the peak nesting season. You can visit only as part of a guided tour with a park ranger, from the headquarters for Las Baulas National Marine Park, 100 meters (328 feet) east of Hotel Las Tortugas. If you are lucky, spotters will find a nesting turtle. At their signal, you'll walk down the beach as silently as you can, where in the darkness you'll witness the remarkable sight of a 500-pound creature digging a hole in the sand large enough to deposit up to 100 golf-ball-size eggs. About 60 days later, the sight of hundreds of hatchlings scrambling toward open water in the early morning is equally impressive. Turtle-watching takes place around high tide, which can be shortly after sunset, or in the early morning. Plan on spending one to six hours at the ranger station waiting for a turtle to come up, during which you can watch a video on the turtles in English (the guides speak mostly Spanish). You are charged only if a turtle sighting is confirmed. Visitation is limited to 60 people per night (in groups of 15 max) and unregistered visitors are not allowed. Reservations should be made one week in advance either by phone or at Las Baulas National Park headquarters at Playa Grande.
Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica2653–0470Sight Details
Rate Includes: $25, only if turtle is spotted, includes guided tour -
22. Paquera
If you take the ferry from Puntarenas to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, you'll arrive at a ferry dock 5 km (3 miles) north of the small community of Paquera. You can pick up supplies at the supermarkets, fill up your tank on the way to the beach, and grab a quick bite to eat at a pizza joint en route. The 5 pm ferry from Puntarenas is the last ferry that connects to the public bus services to Montezuma, Malpaís, and Santa Teresa.
Puntarenas, Puntarenas, 60105, Costa Rica -
23. Parque Marino del Pacífico
To get an idea of what's swimming under the Gulf of Nicoya, visit this modest aquarium and marine park. You'll see crocodiles, pelicans, sea turtles, and representatives of the deep, including small sharks. Exhibits are both indoors and outdoors, and there's a playground for kids to let off steam.
Puntarenas, Puntarenas, Costa Rica2661--5272Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Tues.--Sun. 9--5 -
24. Playa Avellanas
This beach's main claims to fame are surfing and hanging around at Lola's, a sexy beach restaurant-bar. Wide and sandy at the main access point, the beach itself is beautiful, with a line of palms and beach almonds for shade. Rocky outcroppings and a small river mouth mark its southern end, and a mangrove swamp lies behind its northern half. Its Blue Flag designation means the water is clean, but you shouldn't go in deeper than your waist when the waves are big, because of rip currents. That's when the surfers take over. Jellyfish can be a problem, so you might want to wear a rash guard. Unfortunately, security is an issue here, as at most Costa Rican beaches; posted signs warn visitors not to leave anything of value in parked cars or unattended on the beach. There is guarded parking at the beach entrance near Lola's; be sure to have small bills to tip the attendant when you leave. If you are staying in the gated resort community of Hacienda Pinilla, it’s better to park in the private lot and enter from its beach club. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: surfing; walking.
Playa Avellanas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
25. Playa Brasilito
Fishing boats moor just off this wide beach, about 3 km (2 miles) long with golden sand flecked with pebbles and a few rocks. The surf is a little stronger here than at Flamingo Beach, but the shallow, sandy bottom keeps it swimmable. There is one hotel almost on the beach, the quirky Hotel Brasilito. The sea is cleaner off nearby Playa Conchal, which is also more attractive. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; walking.
Playa Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
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26. Playa Carmen
This Blue Flag beach, sometimes referred to as El Carmen, is just a stone's throw from the commercial development along the beach road, so it tends to attract more people. There's a parking lot and palm trees for shade. The waves offer excellent surfing for all levels, with dozens of beach breaks scattered along the wide, sandy strand. The sea grows rough and dirty during the May to December rainy season, with frequent swells that sometimes make it impossible to get out on a surfboard. Swimmers need to be careful of rip currents. Lifeguards are on duty year-round on weekends, from 9 am to sunset; more days during holiday periods. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing.
Santa Teresa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica -
27. Playa Conchal
Named for the bits of broken shells that cover its base of fine white sand (the Spanish word for shell is concha), lovely Playa Conchal is an idyllic strand sloping steeply into aquamarine water and lined with trees. As its Blue Flag attests, it's clean and invites safe swimming. Although it's dominated by the sprawling Westin Playa Conchal, you don't need to stay at that all-inclusive resort to enjoy Conchal, since it's a short beach walk (or drive at low tide in a four-wheel-drive vehicle) south from Brasilito. The point that defines Conchal's northern end is hemmed by a lava-rock reef that is a popular snorkeling area—locals rent equipment on the beach. Waves can be powerful at times, so keep an eye on little ones. Despite the availability of shell jewelry, remember that shell collecting is not officially permitted on Costa Rican beaches. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.
Playa Conchal, Playa Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
28. Playa Copal
Playa Copal is a narrow, dark-beige rocky beach that is one of the main venues for kitesurfing. Winds are often gusty but consistent November to May, which is why several kite schools have set up shop nearby. A couple of kilometers to the east is Playa Papaturro, another windy beach where you'll find simple accommodations and a kitesurfing school at Blue Dream Hotel. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude.
About 2 km (1 mile) east of branch road that leads to Ecoplaya, Bahía Salinas, Guanacaste, 51002, Costa Rica -
29. Playa Danta
Surfers will need to go elsewhere to find their waves; this natural beach, dotted with shade trees and with the Limonada restaurant a stone's throw away, has a low swell, which makes it great for kids, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling. For those seeking something more remote, a quick hike north through the forest gets you to secluded Playa Dantita, your own private oasis. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming.
Playa Danta, Las Catalinas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
30. Playa Flamingo
Hidden away to the southwest of the town, Flamingo Beach is picture-perfect, with almost-white sand sloping into a relatively calm sea, and buttonwood trees separating it from the road. This beach is great for swimming, with a fine-sand bottom and no strong currents, though there are a few submerged rocks in front of the Margaritaville Beach Resort, so you should swim a bit farther south. There's sometimes a bit of surf—if the waves are big, keep your eye on little paddlers. There is minimal shade along the beach's 1-km-long (½-mile-long) stretch, but Margaritaville's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar will deliver cocktails and serve food on the beach, or there is the Coco Loco restaurant on the south end. To find the beach, go straight as you enter town, and instead of going up the hill, turn left after the Margaritaville Beach Resort. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.
Southwest of town, in front of Flamingo Beach Resort, Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
31. Playa Grande
In addition to being a paradise for surfers and sunbathers, the narrow woodsy patch that lines this wide, pristine Blue Flag beach holds howler monkeys and an array of birds, and the mangrove estuary on the north end of the beach has crocodiles. Because it's a protected area, the beach is unspoiled by buildings and natural beauty abounds. There is not a lot of shade. Be aware that the surf is a little heavy for safe swimming, and there's an abundance of mosquitoes during the rainy months, especially near the estuary, so bring plenty of repellent. The beach's shores and waters are part of Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. Admission is free during daylight hours but off-limits at night during the turtle-nesting season (October 20 to February 15), when tourists come on guided turtle tours, hoping to catch the increasingly rare sight of a leatherback turtle building a nest and depositing eggs. The beach gained protected status in part because a surfer who arrived here more than 30 years ago was so upset by the widespread turtle-egg poaching that he adopted a conservationist's agenda. Louis Wilson, owner of Las Tortugas Hotel, spearheaded a campaign to protect the nesting baulas (leatherback turtles) that eventually resulted in the creation of the national park. When walking on the beach, be sure to avoid the dry sand above the high tide line where turtles lay their eggs. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing; walking.
Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
32. Playa Hermosa
Not to be confused with the surfers' beach near Jacó by the same name, Playa Hermosa's 2-km-long (1-mile-long) crescent of dark-gray volcanic sand attracts heat, making the early morning or late afternoon the best time to visit (with the latter providing spectacular sunsets). The beach fronts a line of shade trees, so there's a welcome respite from the heat of the sun. The crystal clear water—it's a Blue Flag beach—is usually calm, with no strong currents and with comfortable temperatures of 23°C to 27°C (74°F to 80°F). For offshore diving, there's an average visibility of 20 feet, and rock reefs that attract large schools of fish, sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, and moray eels. Sea views are as picturesque as they get, with bobbing fishing boats, jagged profiles of coastline, rocky outcroppings, and at night the twinkling lights of the Four Seasons Resort across the bay. At the beach's north end, low tide creates wide, rock-lined tidal pools. Food and drinks are available at Hotel El Velero. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.
Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
33. Playa Jobo
Dominated by the massive Dreams Las Mareas Resort, Playa Jobo is still one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Cradled within the sheltered cove is fine brown sand and calm water, making this beach safe for swimming. Motorized water sports are not allowed, so despite the resort's size, the bay remains relatively quiet. A few sailboats are anchored offshore. Playa Jobo is fringed with acacia trees that have sharp thorns, and there are rocks jetting on either side of the cove where many people begin a snorkel adventure (beware of sea urchins and jellyfish). This beach is a refuge to turtles and manta rays, which you might see in the shallow, clear waters. Windy days are frequent, so watch for blowing sand. At high tide, the beach is narrow. This, combined with the slight slope to the shore, has most people sunbathing by the pool or lounging in the grassy area between the sand and the resort. Although all beaches in Costa Rica are public, this strand is difficult to reach unless you're staying at Dreams Resort. Your other options are to approach by boat or access from around the cove at low tide. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.
3-km (2-mile) walk or drive west from Ecoplaya Beach Resort, Bahía Salinas, Guanacaste, 51002, Costa Rica -
34. Playa Junquillal
This wide swath of light-brown sand stretches over 3 km (2 miles), with coconut palms lining much of it and hardly a building in sight. Two species of sea turtle nest here, and a group of young people collect and protect their eggs, releasing the baby turtles after sunset. The surf is a little strong, so watch children carefully. There's a kids' playground right at the beach, and a funky little restaurant with concrete tables amid the palms. At low tide, it's a perfect beach for taking long, romantic strolls or for exploring active tide pools. Surfers head here to ride the beach break near Junquillal's northern end because it rarely gets crowded. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing; walking.
Playa Junquillal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
35. Playa Langosta
This Blue Flag beach is actually two beaches: To the north is an upscale residential area where every foot of beachfront has been built up; the beach here is rather narrow, since the coast is lined with rocks, and the light-gray sand is coarse. To the south, the beach is a pristine, protected annex of Las Baulas National Marine Park, where the occasional leatherback turtle nests at night and beachcombers and surfers roam by day. The dividing point is the San Francisco Estuary, the mouth of which is a knee-high wade at low tide, and a deep river with dangerous currents around high tide. The beach here is wider and less rocky, and it's where surfers find the best surf breaks. If you walk up the river at low tide, you may see snowy egrets, baby blue herons, tail-bobbing spotted sandpipers, and, if your eyes are sharp, tiny white-lored gnatcatchers, endemic to these parts. The rockier parts of the beach are excellent for spotting seabirds, including American oystercatchers, and playing in the tide pools. Amenities are available at Playa Langosta Beach Club. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking.
Playa Langosta, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
36. Playa Malpaís
South of the bustle of Playas Carmen and Santa Teresa, this Blue Flag beach is quieter and rockier, with interesting volcanic formations. The tougher surfing here was the original attraction that drew surfers from around the world, with a challenging break over a rock platform. Swimming is not advised, but the dramatic scenery is unbeatable. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: surfing; sunset.
Malpais, Puntarenas, Costa Rica -
37. Playa Negra
Contrary to the name, the beach is not black, but rather beige with dark streaks. This is primarily a surfer's beach, so it's not great for swimming because it tends to have fast hollow waves and is lined with rocks. There is one calm, short stretch of clear sand to the south of the Playa Negra Hotel, and at low tide a large tidal pool forms there. The spindly buttonwood trees that edge the beach provide sparse shade. The dirt road to Playa Negra is always bumpy and muddy during rainy season, so drive with caution. Food and drink are served at Playa Negra Hotel's palapa restaurant on the beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: surfing; walking.
Playa Negra, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
38. Playa Ocotal
One of the most dramatic beaches in the country, this serene crescent of black-sand beach ringed by rocky cliffs contrasts nicely with the sparkling, clean turquoise water. It's only ½ km (¼ mile) long, but the views stretch for miles and include nearby offshore islands and the jagged profile of the Santa Elena Peninsula 34 km (21 miles) away. This is prime fishing, diving, and relaxing territory. Right at the entrance to the Gulf of Papagayo, it's a good place for sportfishing enthusiasts to hole up between excursions. There's good diving at Las Corridas, just 1 km (½ mile) away, and excellent snorkeling in nearby coves and islands, as well as around the rocks at the east end of the beach. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling.
10-min drive south of Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
39. Playa Pan de Azúcar
A seemingly endless stretch of soft, light-color sand, this Blue Flag beach is the idyllic paradise people picture in their tropical dreams. There is only one property on the entire beach, the Hotel Sugar Beach, offering parking, restrooms, and a restaurant open to the public except during private events. The north end of the beach has some good snorkeling when the sea is calm—usually around low tide—and swimming out from the middle of the beach is relatively safe. Watch out for a few rocks on both sides of the cove, and if the swell is big, children and weak swimmers shouldn't go in past their waist. This beach is frequented by Ticos on weekends, but it is still relatively peaceful compared with neighboring beaches. Playa Penca, a short walk south along the beach, can be a good swimming beach as well. A large part of the attraction here is the forest that hems the beach, where you may see howler monkeys, black iguanas, magpie jays, trogons, and dozens of other bird species. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: solitude; swimming.
Playa Pan de Azúcar, Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica -
40. Playa Panama
On the southern end of Culebra Bay, this calm beach with black sand stretches 2 km (1 mile), and is frequented by guests staying at nearby El Mangroove resort and Casa Conde Beachfront Hotel. It's a great beach to visit with kids if you're staying in nearby Play Del Coco as well. Devoid of rocks and waves, the water is virtually flat, making this a popular spot for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. There’s a wooden shack next to El Mangroove offering overpriced water activities and equipment. Local vendors stand beachside, selling everything from sarongs to snow cones. With a minimum of six people, you can organize a snorkeling tour on a boat to the outer bay. There isn’t much shade on the sand, but a grassy area between the resorts and the beach is lined with swaying palms and mesquite trees. A path meanders from one end of the bay to the other, meaning you can stroll without getting too much sun. There's guarded parking ($1 tip) between the two hotels. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: kayaking; swimming; walking.
Playa Panama, at Culebra Bay, Costa Rica
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