The best beaches in Guanacaste
Guanacaste is on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the most popular area for visitors seeking beach vacations in Costa Rica. A private transfer to these beaches from Guanacaste Airport is between a 1 and 2 hours drive.
Playa Conchal
Conchal means shell in Spanish, and this beach is mainly composed of finely crushed shells that have been washed up and worn down by the sea over the years.
Conchal is one of the very few ‘white sand’ beaches in Guanacaste, and the sea is calm with crystal-clear turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling and paddle boarding. The whitest sand stretch is away from the parking lot area.
Stroll over to Soda Brasilito on the adjoining beach for no frills but tasty, traditional Costa Rican food.
Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is a 1 km wide beach with blue crystal waters and sparkling white sand- with a pink hue that gave the beach its name- and a marina offering sportfishing trips.
Back in the day Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were visitors and Lynda Carter -Wonderwoman- owned a house on the headland. These days it has a laid-back vibe and is ideally placed to visit other beaches and Santa Rosa National Park and Palo Verde Nature Reserve are a short distance away.
Playa Langosta
Only a short walk along the beach from Playa Tamarindo, Langosta is a crescent-shaped beach popular with surfers. There are few hotels on this stretch of beach but plenty of vacation rental condos and some luxury beach rentals with gorgeous views.
Playa Samara
Samara isn’t just one of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste; it’s one of the prettiest beaches in all of Costa Rica. A wide palm tree-lined beach with long sandy stretches and areas of calm water safe for swimming. The town has a well-established Italian community, so it’s one of the best beach towns in Guanacaste for dining. If you are there for a while, then make sure to check out the beautiful nearby beaches, Playas Barrigona and Carrillo.
Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo was one of the beaches that put Costa Rica on the tourism map after Endless Summer II was filmed here in 1994. At that time, it was surfers, hippies, and backpackers visited; now, you can find lots of top class accommodation and dining options in Tamarindo, and it is a good place for first-time visitors to Costa Rica to spend a few days. If your party days are behind you, then it’s better to avoid visiting during Spring Break and Semana Santa.
Nogui’s Restaurant has been serving great seafood and cocktails on the beach for decades and is the perfect spot to enjoy stunning sunsets.
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