COSTA RICA VACATIONS : THE 5 BEST GUANACASTE BEACHES

 

5 Best Guanacaste Beaches

Costa Rica Costa Of Living Update: Boogie Board—$80

Choosing your favorite beach in Costa Rica is like trying to pick which of your children you love the most. I’ve overheard heated debates on which sand is the softest, where the best snorkeling spot is located, or what surf is the easiest to boogie board without smacking your head into a rock.

Since many of you are visiting this area for the Christmas holiday—and are looking to get out of your resort and travel to different beaches—this list should help in planning your excursions. It’s best to fly into Liberia, Costa Rica since this international airport is the closest to these Guanacaste beaches. The San Jose airport is five to six hours away from this area.

I’ve compiled this “happier beach list” (my top 5 Guanacaste beaches) by using a thorough investigative team: my husband and I. We are authorities in how to waste a day away. I can sit on a beach (in the shade) for and entire day and feel like it was well spent. Give me a book and I might never come home. Rob will stare into every tide pool looking for new and interesting sea life… and he always finds something. These beach days clear my mind and help make me more appreciative of the little things. Gratitude comes easy when your toes are dipped into the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

5.  Tamarindo

You can’t escape the fact that Tamarindo has become one of the busiest tourist towns in Costa Rica. That means more people on the beaches and more vendors trying to sell them souvenirs. You also can’t deny that it has one of the best surf breaks in the world and making it the perfect place for learning to surf.

Experienced surfers love Tamarindo as well. My brother-in-law is an avid surfer and when he visited Costa Rica, his favorite place was Tamarindo.

Surf Tamarindo Costa Rica

Another thing people love about Tamarindo is that there is no need for renting a car. All of the shops and restaurants are within walking distance. You will pass lots of surfers, and start wondering why you aren’t one of them. With hostels ranging from as low as $12 a night to fancy hotels costing ten times more, a Tamarindo vacation can fit nearly any budget. You’ll find an active nightlife here so bring your dancing shoes!

 4.  Flamingo

I like to call Flamingo “Tamarindo Lite.” It is also a touristy town (25 minutes from Tamarindo) but with significantly fewer restaurants and stores. Many people travel to Costa Rica to get away from it all. Flamingo is a quieter location that still allows for easy access to the nightlife in Tamarindo.

Costa Rica Sunset

Flamingo Beach Resort is a Costa Rica all-inclusive hotel that is located right on the beach. It is also the perfect spot to get a massage, buy souvenirs, or rent jet skis. I’ve seen some of the best sunsets here. You can see more of Flamingo in our new Costa Rica cooking/adventure show, Building Up An Appetite on YouTube.

 3.  Playa Penca

This tiny beach is often overlooked but is one of the hidden jewels of Costa Rica. You’ll rarely see anyone here, and for some reason, the water sparkles like someone tossed glitter into the sea.

Playa Penca Costa Rica

At the end of this beach, there are an outcropping of rocks. It’s one of those in-the-know spots locals like to talk about and a great place for kayaking and snorkeling. Pack a lunch, prepare to spend a few hours, and I guarantee you are refreshed by the time you leave. You can feel the pura vida lifestyle here, and it was in this place where I decided to make my big move to live here permanently.

2.  Playa Conchal

It’s hard not to mention this beach since everyone enjoys it… the Costa Rican people and visitors alike. The water is calm making it a great place for swimming and snorkeling. It is on this beach you will find the Costa Rica all-inclusive Westin Hotel, located within the beautiful Reserva Conchal development: a complex of condominiums, villas, and the Westin itself.

Reserva Conchal is a popular place for groups who would rather rent an entire condominium/ villa. It’s a great way to enjoy luxurious living, while at the same time sharing the experience and expense with your friends. Eating out can be very pricey because there is a 23% tourist tax added to each bill  (13% Vat and 10% waiter’s tip). So making meals in your own condominium is a great way to offset the cost of your vacation.

Playa Conchal is an excellent place to rent a beach chair and umbrella, wander off to the souvenir stands and do some shopping, or get a bite to eat at the local food vendor. Listen for the pipa frio man, and buy a cold coconut. Nothing … nothing feels more tropical than drinking from a coconut while sitting under a palm tree. It’s like Gilligan’s Island without the three-hour tour.

nadine hays pisani playa conchal

There is a secret spot on this beach that is rarely revealed to tourists. Walk out to the far, south end and you will find some of the best snorkeling in the area. Just swim out about twenty feet and on a clear day you will see lots of fish and all sorts of ocean creatures. (My husband got inked by an octopus here!)

Get hold of a kayak and paddle out to the rocks for even better snorkeling. It’s where we made this video; It‘s A Big World (look for the octopus at the 5-second mark).

1.  Sugar Beach

By far, this is my favorite spot in all of Costa Rica. It’s nestled in a cove off the beaten path, full of monkeys, iguanas, and we’ve even seen a herd of deer running across the sand. Some of my best pictures come from this beach.

If I weren’t married already, I’d plan my wedding here. I once saw a couple getting married at the Hotel Sugar Beach (the only hotel in this cove). It was magical, and I couldn’t believe the details the hotel paid attention to in order to make it a special occasion.

Sugar Beach Costa Rica

I’m grateful this hotel is there because, after a long day of boogie boarding, it’s nice to sit in their ocean-view restaurant and enjoy a cool beverage. It’s also one of the best places to watch a sunset.

Time seems to stand still at Sugar Beach. The ocean breeze has a way of stripping away your worries. Anxiety jumps off its victim and dissipates into the sea. This is a place to dream about the things you still want to do in your lifetime. It’s a spot to reinvent yourself, and it’s my favorite happy place.

What beaches do you like to visit? Whether they are in Costa Rica, the United States, or half way around the world, I would love to hear about it.

(For more information on great beaches all around Costa Rica, check out my new book, The Costa Rica Escape Manual.)

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About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

42 Comments

  1. A Boom in Tourism August 1, 2016 at 11:54 am - Reply

    […] of my favorite spots to boogie board is Sugar Beach. The waves are not as big as they are over at Playa Negra, but the calmer surf usually makes for a […]

  2. Weldon Stanford July 27, 2016 at 9:59 pm - Reply

    Such a nice Blog Post! Makes me love Costa Rica more!

  3. Kari Pinkerton Silcox June 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm - Reply

    Great post, thanks for sharing. I love the beaches of Guanacaste. My husband and I have spent the last year in search of our favorite beach in Costa Rica and here is our top 10 countdown of our favorite secluded, breathtaking beaches:

    http://www.happycoconutstravelblog.com/blog/top-10-beaches-of-costa-rica

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 19, 2016 at 10:39 am - Reply

      Awesome. I love doing posts like that. It includes the very best kind of research!

  4. Georgia McGrath May 30, 2016 at 3:26 pm - Reply

    Thanks for the tips! I am off to Costa rica tomorrow and will be exploring these beaches. I’m looking forward to Playa Penca, it looks like my kind of beach! 🙂 http://www.bohemianbythesea.com

  5. amber April 14, 2016 at 10:44 am - Reply

    Playa Azul is really a seclude beach! But love Playa Dantita & Playa Danta

  6. Sara March 16, 2016 at 2:35 pm - Reply

    I’m amazed that Avellanas was left off this list! I have wasted many days and evenings on this beach!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani March 18, 2016 at 2:30 pm - Reply

      I have to do a new list. One that will require me to dig deep into the sand, and daydream the day away!

  7. Rob Eilertson February 13, 2016 at 1:44 pm - Reply

    No one has mentioned Potreo Beach? Great place to relax, watch the sunsets and sip a few Imperial’s. Right next door to Flamingo Beach.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani February 14, 2016 at 8:12 am - Reply

      Love Potrero Rob. I should do another list. Heavens, I have a tough job but someone has to do it.

  8. Miguel June 27, 2015 at 11:51 pm - Reply

    I really like Playa Grande as well! Such a fun beach! With Playa Ventana at the end… and Playa Carbon beyond that… oh… the list goes on it seems! 🙂

    • Nadine Hays Pisani June 28, 2015 at 9:17 am - Reply

      You know Miguel, not sure if I know where Playa Carbon is located. I was probably there but didn’t know the name of the beach!

      There are so many awesome little spots here, that you walk right past them and never learn their names. I’m going to hunt down this spot since I always go to Playa Ventana. Do you walk around the rocks to get to it?

      • Miguelguel June 29, 2015 at 1:15 pm - Reply

        Hi Nadine,

        yes, you go to Playa Ventana, keep walking north. At the end, there is a path that goes into a forest and a tiny little hill. On the other side, there is a beach called “Playa Carbon”. Lots of rock and little pools. I think sailboats often go there for picnics. It’s not right by the road, so not a ton of people go i think. The sand is completely black on it! It’s awesome!

  9. Marcos Matos May 9, 2015 at 12:20 pm - Reply

    2021..cant wait..

  10. Manish gupta January 22, 2015 at 7:10 am - Reply

    Great selection of beaches – I personally would have chosen Playa Hermosa, GTE. None the less, great article !! Thanks a lot!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani January 22, 2015 at 8:49 pm - Reply

      Noted. It is a spectacular beach, I did a timelapse there and it was amazing.

  11. Matt Ball January 18, 2015 at 10:45 pm - Reply

    Great selection of beaches – I personally would have chosen Playa Hermosa, GTE. None the less, great article !!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani January 19, 2015 at 12:55 pm - Reply

      Yes, I think I should make another list. Oh the work Matt… oh the work 😉

  12. Mike Poynton December 24, 2014 at 12:26 pm - Reply

    Nadine! You missed Playa Hermosa, Gte.! https://www.facebook.com/playahermosagte

    • Nadine Hays Pisani January 2, 2015 at 7:38 pm - Reply

      What a good one. That’s the problem with Costa Rica, how do you choose? Every one has different color of sand, different vibe, and sometimes different weather patterns. I must investigate further… I have a tough job Mike! 😉

  13. Marco Sánchez Boniche December 19, 2014 at 7:21 pm - Reply

    I am Tico, and I have to say because is my responsability as a good host …. In Guanacaste Sugar Beach is definetively in the top 5… but did you visit PLAYA RAJADA and RESERVA JUNQUILLAL in LA CRUZ GUANACASTE? … these are the kind of beaches that you are able to spend the whole day resting, reading a book, drinking a beer, taking amazing photos.
    Also remeber that pretty near is LIBERIA and there you are able to visit the Volcano Rincon de la Vieja and the Llanos de Cortes Waterfall and go and spent some spare cash to help the animals at the Safari Africa Mia… there are plenty of options 🙂

    • Nadine Hays Pisani January 2, 2015 at 7:34 pm - Reply

      I need to do another list Marco! Thanks so much for your input. A couple of those I never even heard of, which means they are probably spectacular. Hmmm…. I see another road trip in my future!

      • Marco Sánchez Boniche January 2, 2015 at 7:54 pm - Reply

        By the way, I purchased your book through Amazon, cannot wait to have it in my hands. I did the purchase some days ago in the meantime of my visit to Playas del Coco, there, I have a local friend of mine and he took me to LA PENCA beach that is between El Coco and Playa Hermosa; and I just fell in love with this beach … I know that is another LA PENCA near to SugarBeach; but that one that I talking about is just magical. So, at the beach I though for a moment and decided to know which is the point of view of a foreing person to be engaged with Costa Rica; I will tell you my comments on the book later. Happy new year 2015.

        • Nadine Hays Pisani January 3, 2015 at 11:07 am - Reply

          Happy New Year Marco. I’m going to check Play Penca out, I had no idea there was another one. But it’s such a funny thing about Costa Rica, there are numerous towns with the same name so you have to be very specific when giving people driving directions!

      • Marco Sanchez Boniche September 22, 2015 at 4:27 pm - Reply

        Nadine… Did you still have the picture of the Albino Nectar Bat? I just came from a trip to Bocas del Toro and noone told me about the expedition to the caves!! jajaja. I liked a little bit the place, is one of those places to visit only just one time in your life. I prefer the caribbean style of Puerto viejo and Manzanillo. Something that I did not like from Bocas del Toro is that I see too much poverty and the first houses that you see does not have a correct water treatment, and I see to much child and young indian persons working; so sad.

        • Nadine Hays Pisani September 29, 2015 at 7:21 am - Reply

          I’ll have to look for it. It is totally blurry but I got the shot! What a nutty thing to do. Almost got eaten by a crocodile because of that hair-brained scheme.

  14. Valerie December 19, 2014 at 11:04 am - Reply

    These beaches are just beautiful! My brother has traveled to Costa Rica, and he loves it! I like how you gave affordable travel tips, and hopefully, I’ll be able to visit to some of these beaches. Thanks so much for sharing!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani December 19, 2014 at 3:07 pm - Reply

      Every beach is different and each town has a different vibe. It’s a blast going on road trips and finding new spots to share. I’m so happy your brother enjoyed his time here and I bet he has quite a few adventures to tell!

  15. shaleen kennedy December 16, 2014 at 8:59 am - Reply

    Costa Rica is on top of the travel list for my boyfriend and I and it has been every since we seen you guys on the expats show and of course from your books like i’ve said before! This post is definitely one i’ll be book marking when we make it to Costa Rica, hopefully in the next year!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani December 17, 2014 at 5:49 pm - Reply

      So excited for you. Maybe you will find one that I overlooked and can give me the scoop on it!

  16. Tricia (@AdventureList) December 14, 2014 at 11:31 pm - Reply

    Great post. Beach town Costa Rica is definitely on my sooner than later list. The beach at Sayulita Mexico has gold glitter sparkle. Isn’t it the strangest to see the beach shimmer like that?

    • Nadine Hays Pisani December 15, 2014 at 9:49 pm - Reply

      I have to go there! That sounds incredible Tricia. I can only imagine how pretty it looks.

  17. mediodiablo December 14, 2014 at 12:08 am - Reply

    After reading this post, Sugar Beach it is! Although apparently I’ll need to bring somebody at least remotely willing to marry me 😉

    • Nadine December 14, 2014 at 8:55 am - Reply

      LOL… You can always just bring a friend. Sugar Beach is always what I imagined Costa Rica to look like. Lots of monkeys, jungle-y, and parrots flying around.

  18. Stephen Murray December 13, 2014 at 11:25 am - Reply

    Playa Dantita, or the one on the other side of Playa Danta

    • Nadine December 13, 2014 at 11:37 am - Reply

      YES! I can waste away a day there as well!

  19. antarespress December 12, 2014 at 4:04 pm - Reply

    ‘herd of deer’ vice ‘pack of deer’
    Unless they were running down, killing, and eating some prey animal. Then they would be a pack. 😉

    • Nadine December 12, 2014 at 6:14 pm - Reply

      Thanks Antarespress, And I’m happy to report that there was no killing or tearing of limbs.

      That beach would never make the top 5.

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