Playa Grande
World-Class Surf & Pristine Beaches
Playa Grande
Home to Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas and famous for leatherback sea turtle nesting, Playa Grande offers world-class surfing, stunning sunsets, and an authentic Costa Rican beach town experience.
World-Class Surfing
Consistent waves perfect for all skill levels year-round
Protected
Beach
Part of Las Baulas National Marine Park
Sea Turtle Nesting
Witness leatherback turtles October-March
Properties
Our Vacation Homes in Playa Grande
Casa 77
- 3 Bedrooms
- 3.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 6
- No pets
Casa Tinto
- 4 Bedrooms
- 4.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 11
- No pets
Casa Colina
- 4 Bedrooms
- 4.5 Bathrooms
- Sleeps 8
- No pets
Things to Do
Explore Playa Grande
World-Class Surfing in Playa Grande
Playa Grande is famous among surfers for its consistent, uncrowded beach break. With waves that work across a range of tides and swells, it suits everyone from confident beginners to experienced surfers looking for cleaner, quieter conditions than neighboring Tamarindo. Because the beach is protected and largely undeveloped, you will often share the lineup with far fewer people. Surf lessons and board rentals are easy to arrange locally. Read our full guide to surfing in Playa Grande.
World-Class Surf
Uncrowded breaks for every level
Las Baulas
Leatherback nesting from October to March
Sea Turtle Nesting at Las Baulas National Park
Playa Grande is one of the most important nesting sites on the Pacific coast for the giant leatherback sea turtle, the largest turtle on Earth, reaching well over 1,000 pounds. Females come ashore at night to lay their eggs, typically from October to March, in one of the most moving spectacles in nature. To protect the turtles, the beach is closed to unguided visitors at night during the season, but licensed guided tours let you witness a nesting up close and responsibly. Our concierge team can arrange tours during the season.
Beaches and Nature
The main beach at Playa Grande runs for several uninterrupted kilometers, backed by tropical dry forest rather than buildings, which is a rarity on the Pacific coast. At the southern end, a water taxi crosses the estuary toward Tamarindo, an easy way to reach the town without the drive around. Howler monkeys, iguanas, and abundant birdlife are part of everyday life here, especially around the forest edges near the villas. For help planning around the seasons, see our guide to the best time to visit Guanacaste.
Protected Coastline
Kilometers of open sand and dry forest
Where to Eat
From beachfront grills to local sodas
Where to Eat in Playa Grande
Playa Grande is small, but it eats well. RipJack, on the path toward the beach, is a local favorite for food, live music, and happy-hour sunsets. Pots and Bowls and El Huerto are reliable choices for a relaxed meal, Origami serves excellent sushi, and Santo Bandido is worth planning around for tapas and wine. For a wider choice of dining and nightlife, the full restaurant scene in Tamarindo is a short drive away, though many guests find they rarely need to leave. See our Costa Rican food guide for the dishes worth seeking out.
Getting to Playa Grande
Playa Grande is roughly a one-hour drive from the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia (LIR), which receives direct flights from many US and Canadian cities. Most guests either rent a car at the airport or arrange a private transfer, and our concierge team is happy to organize door-to-door pickup so your vacation starts the moment you land. Tamarindo sits just across the estuary, about a 20-minute drive away, while Playa Flamingo is around 30 minutes to the north.
Why Stay in Playa Grande
Playa Grande is for travelers who want the beauty and surf of the Gold Coast of Costa Rica without the crowds and noise. It is quieter than Tamarindo, more natural than the resort towns, and genuinely exclusive, a place where you can hear the ocean and the monkeys instead of traffic. With a luxury villa as your base, a private pool, and a concierge to handle the details, it is the kind of stay guests come back for year after year.
Find Your Stay in Playa Grande
Browse our handpicked vacation rentals in this beautiful destination.