Costa Rica Beaches

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

Open on Google Maps

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

More Lagarto Beach Costa Rica Photos

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

More Frijolar Beach Costa Rica

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

Location: between Ostional and Azul beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 10.035003, -85.737156 (10°02’6.01″N, 85°44’13.76″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz, district: Cuajiniquil.
Zone postal code: 50306.

San Juanillo Beach Costa Rica: is a remote white sandy beach and crystal clear turquoise waters, whose tip is washed by the sea on both sides. At one end has a rock formation, which can be climbed without much effort. All this makes San Juanillo beach in one of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

Also, San Juanillo beach is on the village bearing the same name, which main activity is fishing.

Getting to San Juanillo 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. Once in Samara turn left towards Nosara for about 33 km (20 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza, Guiones and Pelada until you reach San Juanillo 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, Pitahaya and Azul until you reach San Juanillo 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 2222-2777 / +506 2682-0297). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to San Juanillo beach, which takes about 30 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 from 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 the stop in San Juanillo (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 San Juanillo beach, which takes about 30 minutes.

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

• 

• 

• 

More San Juanillo Beach Costa Rica Photos

Location: between Pelada and San Juanillo beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.996714, -85.702931 (9°59’48.17″N, 85°42’10.55″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz, district: Cuajiniquil.
Zone postal code: 50306.

Ostional Beach Costa Rica: a long dark sandy beach with blue clear waters, breathtakingly beautiful scenery. It is one of the most important ecological sites around the world, as here come to spawn a large number of Olive Ridley turtles (from April to December). In fact, this beach is part of The Ostional National Wildlife Refuge.

Ostional beach witness a truly spectacular natural phenomena known as “Arribadas”, or arrivals. When this happens, thousands of turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The arrivals usually occur between the third quarter and the full moon, especially from July to September.

For its strong surf, this beach is very popular with surfers. Also, south is the estuary of the Ostional River lined with mangrove vegetation that can be navigated by boat. This site, as being a protected area, does not offer more tourism development, however nearby beaches like Nosara have all the amenities required by tourism in Costa Rica.

Getting to Ostional 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 towards 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 towards Nosara for about 26 km (16 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza, Guiones and Pelada until you reach Ostional 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, Pitahaya, Azul and San Juanillo until you reach Ostional beach.

By bus

Take the bus 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 Ostional beach, which takes about 10 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if you are 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 (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 Ostional beach, which takes about 10 minutes.

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

Location: between Guiones and Ostional beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.95315, -85.673569 (9°57’11.34″N, 85°40’24.85″W)
Canton: Nicoya, district: Nosara.
Zone postal code: 50206.

  

Getting to Pelada 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 passing through Hojancha. Upon arrival to Samara turn left towards Nosara for about 26 km (16 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza and Guiones until you reach Pelada Beach Costa Rica. This route requires a total of six hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Nicoya and from there to Samara passing through Hojancha. Upon arrival to Samara turn left towards Nosara for about 26 km (16 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado, Garza and Guiones until you reach Pelada beach.

By bus

Take the local bus 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 Pelada beach, which takes about 10 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

You can also take the bus San Jose – Nicoya, which takes 5 to 6 hours (Terminal Alfaro, +506 2685-5032), and then take another bus from Nicoya to Nosara – Garza – Guiones, which takes about 2.5 hours (Empresa Rojas, +506 2686-9089).

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 Pelada beach, which takes about 10 minutes.

Address map: Click here to view address map TO Pelada (Nosara) beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Pelada Beach Costa Rica Photo Gallery

Location: between Garza and Pelada beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.945994, -85.671189 (9°56’45.58″N, 85°40’16.28″W)
Canton: Nicoya, district: Nosara.
Zone postal code: 50206.

Guiones Beach Costa Rica: among the best surfing destinations along the Guanacaste coastline, being home to the best surf in Nosara, with some of the most consistent year-round waves in the world.

Guiones beach is not only very popular with surfers, but also has some wonderful snorkeling opportunities. Backed by a lush jungle, the first couple of hundred meters of this beach are part of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, while the beach area itself has received a Blue Flag of Ecology for being among the most clean, pristine and ecologically well-maintained beaches in the world. Also, Guiones is home to most of Nosara’s hotels, restaurants and businesses.

Getting to Guiones 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 passing through Hojancha. Upon arrival to Samara turn left to Nosara for about 24 km (15 miles), passing through Barco Quebrado and Garza until you reach Guiones beach. This route requires approximately a total of five hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Nicoya and from there to Samara passing through Hojancha. Upon arrival to Samara turn left towards Nosara for about 24 km (15 miles) passing through Barco Quebrado and Garza until you reach Guiones beach.

By bus

Take the local bus 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 Guiones a beach, which takes about 10 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

You can also take a bus San Jose – Nicoya, which takes 5 to 6 hours (Terminal Alfaro, +506 2685-5032), and then take another bus from Nicoya to Nosara – Garza – Guiones, which takes about 2.5 hours (Empresa Rojas, +506 2686-9089).

By plane:

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

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

More Guiones Beach Costa Rica Photos