Imagine swinging lazily in a hammock, cocktail in hand, staring at a Costa Rican sunset. Or surfing one of the best breaks in the world, where world renowned surfers and beginners congregate together. Maybe you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for an ATV beach adventure. Or you want to explore the expansive tide pools and shorelines from beneath, snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Whatever your dream looks like, you’ll find your sandy haven at one of Costa Rica’s beaches.
Choosing your favorite Costa Rica beach is impossible- trust us, we’ve done the research. The pristine white sand (or black, pink, or shell sand depending on your preference), surfing conditions and sparkling waves are mesmerizing. And with almost 800 miles of coastline, Costa Rica is saturated with stunning seascapes.
With so many options, it can seem overwhelming. The good news? You can’t go wrong. It just depends on what you’re looking for. While they’re all beautiful, each Costa Rica beach offers a unique set of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. The texture and sand color, proximity to towns, tours and activity options, surf breaks, tide pools and snorkeling all play into your decision.
Luckily at Grande Vacation Rentals, we’ve done the research on Costa Rica’s best beaches for you (tough job, we know), to bring you a guide of the best spots on the Guanacaste coast. Whether you’re looking for the local hot spot, a surf and yoga mecca, a former pirates haven or your own slice of sandy paradise off the beaten path, Costa Rican beaches have something for everyone. And with the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia just an hour away, the sultry, sunny beaches of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast are a breeze to get to.
We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and compiled a list of the top Costa Rica beaches in Guanacaste. And, when you’re done, you can come back and relax at a premier rental location steps away from Costa Rica’s famous beaches with Grande Vacation Rentals.
Playa Grande
With bright turquoise waters and gorgeous cream colored sand, Playa Grande is a stunning surfing mecca adored by locals and visitors alike. Separated from Playa Tamarindo by the Mata Palo River, Playa Grande is the less crowded option for surfers looking to catch the perfect wave.
With consistent and moderate surf breaks, pros can enjoy the bigger swells, (especially in March to November), while surfing novices can hone their skills during low tide. One note- while Playa Grande is a surfer’s haven, its steep cutoff, rocky shoreline and rip currents aren’t good for swimming. There’s a good swimming spot a short ways down from the surfers that is more family friendly.
Playa Grande also hosts one of the largest nesting colony of leatherback sea turtles. Part of the Las Baulas National Park, the area is heavily protected and the beach shuts down at nightfall to protect the giant turtles as they flock ashore to lay their eggs. Visitors who want to see this magnificent migration can take a guided night tour.
Playa Tamarindo
We’ve talked about the town, but Tamarindo also has one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste. While it may be one of the busiest, Tamarindo has one of the best surf breaks in the world and is a great place to learn to surf. One of Costa Rica’s most developed beach towns, many surf legends call Tamarindo home. (For those looking for a quieter, more family-friendly cousin of Playa Tamarindo, Playa Langosta is a 15 minute walk south and has Olympic-sized snorkeling pools.)
You’ll find entertainment of every kind in Tamarindo. If you surf, want to learn, need surfing gear or just want to experience the pura vida ways of the local surf culture, Playa Tamarindo is the place for you.
Playa Conchal
Located north of Playa Real and south of Playa Flamingo along Costa Rica’s northern coast, Playa Conchal’s name gives away its story. The beach “sand” of Playa Conchal was originally all shells. While sadly much of the shells have disappeared today, you can still see bits and pieces of sparkling shell fragments in the sand. One of the more remote locations, Playa Conchal doesn’t offer as many tours and activities as some of the other Guanacaste beaches.
If you want to visit Playa Conchal, it’s best to have a rental vehicle or use taxi services to get to and from the beach.
Playa Flamingo
Also known as Playa Blanca, this white, mile long stretch of sand is a Costa Rican national treasure. One of the first beaches to gain international acclaim, Playa Flamingo has evolved into one of the country’s most lavish areas, perfect for a luxurious tropical getaway. Mangroves are abundant and it’s a great place to spot marine birds. Unlike other beach towns, Playa Flamingo has no neighboring village center, mainly consisting of rental properties and private residences.
Playa Real
This one’s got a fun story. Also known as Bahia de los Pirates, Playa Real is one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets. Playa Real is a mile stretch of pink sand dotted with rocky islands and outcrops where pirates one hid. Located north of Playa Tamarindo, this public beach is one of the best spots for viewing the beautiful Costa Rican sunset.
Playa Avellanas
Just eleven miles south of bustling Tamarindo, Playa Avellanas is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches on the northern peninsula (and that’s no small feat). A remote stretch of mangroves and white sand, it’s a haven for experienced surfers year round. Complemented by Lola’s, a beach bar named after an eccentric, huge pig who loved gallivanting in the ocean, Playa Avellanas is a unique, often overlooked stretch of paradise.
After a day of surfing, kayaking, snorkeling or sunbathing, you need not just lodging, but a place to relax. At Grande Vacation Rentals, we offer the best of Costa Rican accommodations. Luxurious, relaxing and close to all the Costa Rican adventures you want to pursue, whatever your Costa Rica vacation dream is, we’ve got you covered at Grande Vacation Rentals.