The best beaches in the world
Guanacaste boasts some of the country’s best beaches along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Some of the beaches have great waves, perfect for surfing, while others are quiet and tucked away. You’ll also find world-class luxury resorts along the beaches of Guanacaste Costa Rica as well as cozy little bungalows and vacation rentals.
Liberia, the capital of the Guanacaste Province is the starting place for many people’s vacations along the Pacific Coast. Its airport welcomes flights and buses from San Jose, the Costa Rica capital, and it’s only 20 or 30 miles to the beach from this well-equipped city. Others choose to begin their vacations in San Jose and rent a car or take a bus—this trip can take anywhere from four to eight hours depending on the route and the number of stops along the way.
However you arrive in Guanacaste, you’ll find a lot to do once you get there. The most sparsely populated Costa Rican province, nestled between the Nicaragua border and the Puntarenas Province, has a long coastline. Its name is taken from the Guanacaste tree, the country’s national tree that is plentiful here. The beaches in Guanacaste Costa Rica offer some of the best views you’ll find anywhere. Many have views of the mountains and rivers that tumble into the sea.
Some of the best Guanacaste beaches are wrapped around both sides of the Nicoya Peninsula, home to Santa Teresa and Montezuma. Both of these towns offer laid-back charm and large communities of ex-pats and artists. You’ll also find some of the best surfing along these shores, especially the second half of the year when the waves and the conditions are just right. At the end of the year, migrating whales visit Guanacaste in large quantities—and can be spotted right on shore.
Flamingo Beach Costa Rica is one of the best places in the entire country to watch the sun set. Situated along the Gold Coast and the Pacific Ocean, this beach is home to an abundance of natural scenery where the white sand meets the clear-blue waters and the nearly endless skies. Nestled in the province [...]
Playa Hermosa would look right at home on a tropical island, but it’s actually located along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. This beach has all the building blocks of paradise—a long stretch of golden sand, clear blue waters, and skies that seem to go on forever—all surrounded by towering palm trees. Actually, there are two Hermosa [...]
Playa del Coco is one of the closest beaches to the major airport in Guanacaste, the Costa Rican province located along the Pacific Ocean shore. It takes less than hour to travel from the airport in Liberia to this fantastic beach. With towering palm trees swaying the breeze, a wide stretch of sand, and clear-blue [...]
Playa Tambor is one of the most scenic beaches along Costa Rica’s west coast. It rims the side of a horseshoe-shaped bay at the southern edge of the Nicoya Peninsula. In between Ballena Bay and a lush forest, there’s a long stretch of sand, nearly four miles long—one of the best Costa Rica beaches. This [...]
Playa Samara, a safe and clean beach, is one of the most popular family beaches in all of Costa Rica. Sandwiched between a coral reef and a forest, this beautiful beach is one of the many amazing tropical beaches in this country. Here, you’ll find a long stretch of white sand, amazing sunsets, and the [...]
Playa Tamarindo is very much a tropical paradise. This beach on the northwest Pacific Coast is one of the most popular Costa Rica beaches and for good reason. A hotspot for surfing and the starting point for eco-tours, Tamarindo Beach is a good choice in any season. The seaside town, also called Tamarindo, is well-equipped [...]
Guanacaste beaches are some of the best and most visited beaches in Costa Rica. This province, nestled along the Pacific Coast, has an abundance of natural beauty, including a long coastline dotted by sandy beaches and swaying palm trees. The collection of beaches in Guanacaste Costa Rica is simply spectacular. Beaches run the gamut from [...]