3 Best Sights in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

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.

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.

Gorgeous, horseshoe-shaped Playa Rajada is a wide sweep of almost-white fine-grain sand that, so far, has evaded tourists. Shallow, warm waters make it perfect for swimming, and an interesting rock formation at the north end invites snorkelers, plus there's plenty of shade. It's also a favorite beach for watching sunsets. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.