Guanacaste

Location: between Tamarindo and Ventanas beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.334675, -85.847822 (10°20’04.83″N, 85°50’52.16″W)
District: Cabo Velas, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste.
Zone postal code: 50308.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Playa Grande Costa Rica

Grande Beach Costa Rica: with its pristine shoreline and clear blue water, is one of the best beaches on the Guanacaste coast. It is an important part of the Las Baulas Marine National Park, as it is home to the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles that come ashore every year, from October to May, to lay their eggs on the beach, an incredible spectacle to behold if you are one of those lucky enough to see it. During these months, after 6 pm, visitors are only allowed to the beach with a guide.

Surfing along Grande Beach is incredible and has attracted surfers from all around the World, as it is considered one of the best places to learn to surf or improve your surfing skills, as breaks are moderate and constant, earning Grande Beach a reputation of one of Costa Rica’s premier surf destinations. If you are not a surf fan, further north of the beach is excellent for swimming. However, take care as the currents can draw even experienced swimmers into the open sea.

Since Grande beach is part of a protective zone, hotels don’t have any rooms facing the beach.

Getting to Grande Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 9 km (5.5 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Grande beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 9 km (5.5 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Grande beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, making the stop at Huacas which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, +506 2222-2666). Or you can take a bus from the route San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202). In both cases you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi from Huacas to Grande beach, which takes about 15 minutes. We also recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport tothe Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Grande beach, which takes about 20 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Grande Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste at Google Maps

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Location: between Langosta and Grande beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.303414, -85.839303 (10°18’12.29″N, 85°50’21.49″W)
District: Tamarindo, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste.
Zone postal code: 50309.

Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica: is among the most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica, thanks to its pristine beaches with crystal clear blue waters, exquisite nature and stunning sunsets.

At Tamarindo beach besides surfing, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, boogie boarding, turtle watching, horseback riding, sport fishing, scuba diving, golfing and ATV tours, you can also visit the nearby Diria National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Las Baulas Marine National Park, where leatherback turtles come every year to nest and breed.

Tamarindo is the area’s most well developed tourist town with plenty of accommodations to suit every pocket, from luxurious beach-front hotel to hostels. With much to enjoy & even more to do, this multi-cultural community is the ideal place to have some fun in the sun!

It is important to keep in mind that Tamarindo beach has strong rip currents and barely submerged rocks, so be careful swimming here. Also the estuaries to the north and south are very dangerous to cross at medium to high tide.

Getting to Tamarindo beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you get to Tamarindo beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you get to Tamarindo beach.

BY BUS

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, +506 2222-2666). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

BY PLANE

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Tamarindo beach, which takes about 5 minutes.

Nearby Restaurants:

• Kahiki
• Bamboo Sushi Club.

Address map: Click here to view address map to Tamarindo beach Costa Rica, in Guanacaste, at Google Maps

More Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica Photos

Location: between Pinilla and Tamarindo beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.287547, -85.850669 (10°17’15.17″N, 85°51’02.41″W)
District: Tamarindo, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste.
Zone postal code: 50309.

Langosta Beach Costa Rica: a great place to go for some peace and also known for its amazing surfing. It is mostly a rocky beach with some sandy patches perfect for swimming.

Langosta beach, at its southern end, sits near the mouth of an estuary and has an excellent surf break, attracting surfers from Tamarindo who prefer to surf amid some peace and quiet. Undoubtedly, Langosta is an excellent place to spend a peaceful day after being at the popular Tamarindo.

Getting to Langosta beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 5.5 km (3.5 miles) passing through Tamarindo, until you get to Langosta beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 5.5 km (3.5 miles) passing through Tamarindo, until you get to Langosta beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, +506 2222-2666). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Langosta beach, which takes about 10 minutes.

Restaurants nearby Langosta Beach: Kahiki, Bamboo Sushi Club.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Langosta beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

More Langosta Beach Costa Rica Photos

Location: between Junquillal and Avellana beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.196483,-85.828111 (10°11’47.34″N, 85°49’41.20″W)
District: Veintisiete de Abril, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Zone postal code: 50303.
  

Negra Beach Costa Rica: beautiful beach of 1.5 km of dark sand that is mixed with rocky arisings and tide pools, located on the Pacific coast in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, famous in the surfing community by having the most consistent waves and surf breaks in the region. Playa Negra is also famous because the movie Endless Summer II was filmed here.

For those not interested in surfing may also enjoy other activities such as horseback riding or just go a little further south from the main beach to enjoy peace and quiet. Negra beach has a number of excellent hotels, resorts and accommodations near the beach, for all budgets.

Getting to Negra beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Santa Cruz. Go straight, always on the highway, for 500 m and take the exit to Tamarindo and Junquillal. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles) passing through 27 de Abril, turn left to Junquillal and continue for 13 km (8 miles) until you reach Paraiso (a small town). There, turn right and follow the road for about 4 km (2.5 miles) to Negra beach. This route requires a total of 3.5 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz. Just before getting to Santa Cruz, take the exit to your right for Junquillal, Ostional, and Tamarindo. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles) passing through 27 de Abril, turn left to Junquillal and continue for 13 km (8 miles) until you reach Paraiso (a small town). There, turn right and follow the road for about 4 km (2.5 miles) to Negra beach. This route requires a total of 1.5 hours.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes about 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392 or Tracopa-Alfaro, +506 2222-2666), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Junquillal/Negra beaches, which takes about 1 hour, making a stop in Negra beach.

By plane

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Negra beach, which takes about 20 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Negra beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

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Location: between Lagarto and Negra beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.162040,-85.808544 (10°09’43.34″, 85°48’30.76″W)
District: Veintisiete de Abril, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste.
Zone postal code: 50303.

Junquillal Beach Costa Rica: a small beautiful and peaceful piece of paradise located on the North Pacific Coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. It has an extension of 2,5 miles of dark grey sandy beach with warm waters and high waves, ideal for surfing, hiking, horseback riding and scuba diving. This beach is characterized by having a very relaxing environment, on any given day you could be one of the very few people or the only one at the beach.

Junquillal Beach holds the “Bandera Azul Ecológica” (Ecological Blue Flag) an award given by the Costa Rican Government to those beaches and towns that have developed tourist activity that is friendly with the environment. For example, the beach must have satisfactory beach and water quality, access to drinkable water, treatment of water and dumpsters, environmental education, signs and security. Junquillal Beach also has a program to preserve the Leatherback turtle, on which a group of local boys known as the “Baula boys” helps to work on the turtle nursery, take care of the turtle nests at the beach and the bay.

Getting to Junquillal beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Santa Cruz. Go straight, always on the highway, for 500 m and take the exit Tamarindo and Junquillal. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles) passing through 27 de Abril, turn left to Junquillal and continue for 13 km (8 miles) until you reach Paraiso (a small town). There, turn left and follow the road for about 4 km (2.5 miles) to Junquillal beach. This route requires a total of 3.5 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz. Just before getting to Santa Cruz, take the exit to your right for Junquillal, Ostional, and Tamarindo. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles) passing through 27 de Abril, turn left to Junquillal and continue for 13 km (8 miles) until you reach Paraiso (a small town). There, turn left and follow the road for about 4 km (2.5 miles) to Junquillal beach. This route requires a total of 1.5 hours.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes about 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392 or Tracopa-Alfaro, +506 2222-2666), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Junquillal, which takes about 1 hour, making a stop in Junquillal beach.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Junquillal beach, which takes about 20 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Junquillal beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

More Junquillal Beach Costa Rica Photos

Location: between Frijolar and Junquillal beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.1195, -85.793281 (10°07’10.20″N, 85°47’35.81″W)
District: Cuajiniquil, canton: Santa Cruz, province: Guanacaste.
Zone postal code: 50306.

Getting to Lagarto Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Santa Cruz. Go straight, always on the highway, for 1 km and turn left to Tamarindo. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles), turn left and continue for about 13 km (8 miles) more. Again, turn to the left and follow the signs leading to Largarto beach for about 8 km (5 miles). This route requires a total of five hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz and from there to Tamarindo passing through 27 de Abril. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles), turn left and continue about 13 km (8 miles) more. Again, turn to the left and follow the signs leading to Largarto beach for about 8 km (5 miles).

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes about 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Ostional, which takes about 1 hour, making a stop in Lagarto (however, the bus can’t make the trip during heavy rains).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Nosara airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Lagarto beach, which takes about 1 hour.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Lagarto Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste at Google Maps

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Location: between Pitahaya and Lagarto beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.084733, -85.778144 (10°05’05.04″N, 85°46’41.32″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz, district: Cuajiniquil.
Zone postal code: 50306.

Getting to Frijolar beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Nicoya. Once you reach Nicoya, continue your drive taking the road to Samara. Once in Samara turn left to Nosara for about 42 km (27 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza, Guiones, Pelada, Ostional, San Juanillo, Azul and Pitahaya until you reach Frijolar beach. This route requires a total of six hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz and from there to Nosara passing through 27 de Abril and Lagarto beach until you reach Frijolar beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San José – Nosara, which takes from 5 to 6 hours (Empresa Alfaro, +506 2222-2666 / +506 2682-0297). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Frijolar beach, which takes about 1 hour. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to the beach, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

You can also take a bus San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Ostional, which takes about 1.5 hours, making a stop in Frijolar (however, the bus can’t make the trip during heavy rains).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Nosara airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Frijolar beach, which takes about 1 hour.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Frijolar beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

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Location: between Azul and Frijolar beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.068344, -85.767172 (10°04’06.04″N, 85°46’01.82″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz, district: Cuajiniquil.
Zone postal code: 50306.

  

Getting to Pitahaya beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Nicoya. Once you reach Nicoya, continue your drive taking the road to Samara. Once in Samara turn left to Nosara for about 39 km (25 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza, Guiones, Pelada, Ostional, San Juanillo and Azul until you reach Pitahaya beach. This route requires a total of 7 hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz and from there to Nosara passing through 27 de Abril, Lagarto and Frijolar until you reach Pitahaya beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San José – Nosara, which takes about 5 to 6 hours (Empresa Alfaro, +506 2222-2666 / +506 2682-0297). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Pitahaya beach, which takes about 45 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to the beach, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

You can also take a bus San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Ostional, which takes about 3 hours, making a stop in Pitahaya (however, the bus can’t make the trip during heavy rains).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Nosara airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Pitahaya beach, which takes about 45 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Pitahaya beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Pitahaya Beach Costa Rica Photo Gallery

Location: between San Juanillo and Pitahaya beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.05415, -85.752506 (10°03’14.94″N, 85°45’9.02″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz, district: Cuajiniquil.
Zone postal code: 50306.

Getting to Azul Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway towards Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant to La Amistad bridge until you get to Nicoya. Once you reach Nicoya, continue your drive taking the road to Samara and Nosara. Once in Samara turn left to Nosara for about 37 km (23 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza, Guiones, Pelada, Ostional and San Juanillo until you reach Azul beach. This route requires a total of six hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Santa Cruz and from there to Nosara passing through 27 de Abril, Lagarto, Frijolar and Pitahaya until you reach Azul beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San José – Nosara, which takes about 5 to 6 hours (Empresa Alfaro, +506 2222-2666 / +506 2682-0297). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Azul beach, which takes about 40 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to the beach, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

You can also take a bus San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes 5 to 6 hours (Tralapa, +506 2221-7202 / +506 2680-0392), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Ostional, which takes about 3 hours, making a stop in Azul (however, the bus can’t make the trip during heavy rains).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Nosara airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Azul beach, which takes about 40 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Azul Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste at Google Maps

More Azul Beach Costa Rica Photos