Playa Grande, Costa Rica


World class surfing beach. Turtle nesting grounds. Classic pura vida village. This small, quiet gem of a beach town packs a punch for surfers, conservationists and visitors alike.

Located along the north Pacific Coast in Guanacaste province, just across the way from Tamarindo, Playa Grande is a vibrant part of Las Baulas National Park. By day it’s a world class beach and surf town with some of the best consistent waves in Costa Rica. By night, the beach shuts down to the public as leatherback sea turtles follow the ocean currents to lay their eggs in Playa Grande’s sand.

Las Baulas National Park

Part of the Las Baulas National Park, Playa Grande is home to one of the largest nesting colonies of sea turtles on the Pacific Coast, including leatherbacks, olive ridley sea turtles and green turtles. The largest and most well known, female leatherbacks typically come ashore between October and May to lay their eggs at Playa Grande. Locals take pride in protecting the land for these massive creatures, who often reach up to 1,500 lbs. Visitors are prohibited from roaming the beaches at night, but you can take special guided tours of the nesting grounds to see these beautiful creatures up close.

Playa Grande Surfing

Playa Grande’s waves are world-renowned as a top surfing destination. With excellent conditions and a consistent, moderate break, Playa Grande is ideal for surfers of all skills and abilities, and the beach is much less crowded than neighboring Playa Tamarindo. While Playa Grande is known for consistent waves, bigger swells usually occur between March and November. Beginners can surf during low tides when there are less surfers and smaller waves.

Playa Grande’s perfectly warm waters are a beach lover’s dream. Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer or nature enthusiast, the pristine shoreline, magnificent wildlife and crystal blue waters of Playa Grande make this one of the top beaches in Guanacaste.

Playa Grande’s laid back surf vibe is the perfect place to lay your head at the end of the day. Grande Vacation Rentals has several properties in Playa Grande and throughout Guanacaste. Contact us for more information.  Â