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Beaches in Guanacaste
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About Costa Rica Beaches
Playa Hermosa is known to be one of the most well-maintained beaches in the country. With warm, calm waters, this beach is the perfect spot for swimming, and it also draws visitors for snorkeling and scuba diving in the Gulf of Papagayo, Catalina Islands, and Bat Islands. Playa Hermosa is seldom crowded, and while it has several excellent restaurants, there isn’t much nightlife, so it’s a great destination for couples or families searching for a peaceful, tranquil vacation.
Playas del Coco (Coco Beach) is one of the most popular beach towns in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province. It’s known for being both a tourist hotspot and a local hangout, and due to its location off the Gulf of Papagayo, it has dark sand and calm waters.
Playas del Coco is an excellent place for swimming, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving near the Bat Islands and Catalina Islands. In town, you’ll find several local restaurants and a lively nightlife scene with dozens of bars and small clubs. If you’re staying in Playas del Coco, you will also have access to grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and other modern conveniences.
Playa Potrero is also a popular destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing excursions. In town, you’ll find local restaurants, brunch spots, live music venues, and craft breweries, so if you’re looking for a lively destination with lots to do on and off the beach, you’ll enjoy visiting Playa Potrero.
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In addition to its beauty, travelers love the fun things to do at Playa Flamingo. Flamingo Beach Marina is the perfect launching point for a fishing, sailing, or catamaran boat ride. With the Catalina Islands just a short distance away, it’s also an excellent spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. When you’re hungry, head into town and choose from several restaurants with beautiful beachfront views.
With light brown sand and blue-gray waters, Playa Brasilito (Brasilito Beach) doesn’t quite “shimmer” with beauty like its neighboring beaches, Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo. However, this short stretch of beach offers plenty of fun things to do, like horseback riding, ATV tours, sailing tours, and more!
Playa Conchal has stronger waves than other beaches in Costa Rica, so activities like jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling tend to be more popular than swimming. However, the water is warm, so you’ll be comfortable if you decide to swim. Playa Conchal is tucked away, so you won’t find many restaurants off the beach, but you can venture to the nearby Playa Brasilito and Playa Flamingo for dining and shopping.
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Playa Tamarindo
If you want to stay in the heart of “all the action” and would rather have an upbeat trip than a laid-back vacation, you’ll love Tamarindo. In town, you’ll find dozens of local restaurants, hip breweries, lively nightlife venues, and other fun attractions to keep you busy during your trip.
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Playa Langosta has strong waves, so it’s not a great spot for swimming, but it’s an excellent beach for surfing, especially for more experienced surfers.
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Looking for somewhere you can “shred the gnar” in Guanacaste? If so, you’ll love Playa Negra (Negra Beach)—one of the best places to surf in Costa Rica.
Explore These Popular Beaches in Guanacaste at Properties from Special Places of Costa Rica
Special Places of Costa Rica has dozens of unique properties, from beachfront homes and luxury mansions to cozy condos and quaint villas, across Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific Coast.
Whether you’d like to stay in a resort town like Playa Flamingo, a surfing beach like Playa Avellanas, or a local hotspot like Playa Potrero, we have no doubt we can help you find the perfect property in the ideal location for your trip to Costa Rica!
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