Guanacaste & Northwest Costa Rica
The Northwest Pacific side of Costa Rica and the province of Guanacaste offer a stunning coastal paradise with a mix of natural wonders and vibrant beach towns. One of the highlights of the region is Rincon de la Vieja, an active volcano known for its geothermal activity and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Hiking trails lead you through dense forests to majestic waterfalls, bubbling mud pots, and natural hot springs, providing a unique and rejuvenating experience.
The pristine beaches along this coastline are nothing short of breathtaking. Playa Hermosa offers a serene and laid-back atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and soaking up the sun. Playa Conchal boasts shimmering turquoise waters and a unique shoreline composed of crushed seashells, creating a mesmerizing sight. Playa Flamingo is a luxurious beach destination with upscale resorts, a picturesque marina, and fantastic snorkeling opportunities.
Tamarindo, a lively surf town, is a favorite among water sports enthusiasts. Here, you can catch some waves, enjoy vibrant nightlife, and sample delicious cuisine from local eateries. Nosara is a tranquil beach town that attracts those seeking a more secluded and holistic experience, with yoga retreats, wellness centers, and pristine beaches surrounded by lush tropical landscapes.
The charming town of Samara offers a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, with its calm waters perfect for swimming and kayaking. Santa Teresa, known for its bohemian vibe, is a haven for surfers, yoga enthusiasts, and nature lovers, with stunning beaches backed by lush jungle.
Finally, Montezuma captures the essence of bohemian beach living, with its laid-back vibe, artistic community, and stunning waterfalls hidden in the surrounding jungles.
Overall, the Northwest Pacific side of Costa Rica and Guanacaste region offer a diverse range of landscapes, from volcanoes to pristine beaches, providing a memorable experience for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those in search of relaxation.
Samara
For years, Samara has been one of the best kept secrets in Costa Rica, but the word is getting out. This fun little beach town has a variety of small shops and plenty of restaurants to pass time between beaching and adventures. Not to be overlooked, Playa Carrillo is only 5 minutes south and considered to be the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast.
Location: Southern Guanacaste on the Nicoya Peninsula
Why Samara? Swimming, Adventure, Wildlife, Learn to Surf
Destination type: Off the beaten path, but quickly gaining popularity
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the most fun and popular beaches in Costa Rica. The village is located on a series of beaches that have something to offer just about everybody. Some beaches are good for swimming and boogie boarding or learning to surf, while other beaches are better suited to experienced surfers. The village is home to plenty of restaurants, shops and fun night life.
Location: Guanacaste
Why Tamarindo? Swimming, Adventure, Learn to Surf, Experienced Surfing, Sport Fishing
Destination type: Popular destination for tourists.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa is a beautiful beach village located only 20 minutes from Liberia Airport. The beach is a couple kilometers long and lined with palm trees. The quiet village is spread out due to a small mangrove system, but there are plenty of restaurants and shops and close by.
Location: Guanacaste
Why Playa Hermosa? Swimming, Snorkeling, Sport Fishing
Destination type: Somewhat off the beaten path for tourists, but popular among expats.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia – LIR
Mal Pais-Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa and Mal Pais are known for great surf, yoga retreats, nightlife and beautiful beaches. This fun beach area is home to some of Costa Rica’s best surfing beaches. There is a wide variety of restaurants, shops, bars, yoga instructors, surf schools and small hotels along the beach drive.
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Why Mal Pais-Santa Teresa? Learn to Surf, Experienced Surfing, Yoga
Destination type: Off the beaten path, but high percentage of tourists to locals
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, Jaco, Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Montezuma
Another well-kept secret, Montezuma is one of the most interesting beaches in Costa Rica. It takes a little effort to access, but a visit to this fun town is well worth the trip. The village is a melting pot of expatriates from various countries and local Ticos. The varied cultures have created a unique atmosphere with a comfortable laid back feel. The town also has plenty to offer in terms of shops and restaurants.
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Why Montezuma? Swimming, Yoga
Destination type: Off the beaten path
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, Jaco, Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Papagayo Gulf
The Gulf of Papagayo is home to more all-inclusive resorts than any other location in Costa Rica. The resort area is known for calm swimming waters and beautiful scenery. The weather in this area is great most of the year, with only a couple months of real rain season. The resort area is spread out, with no town center.
Location: Guanacaste
Why the Papagayo Gulf? Swimming, Snorkeling, Sport Fishing
Destination type: Popular destination for tourists.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. This white sand beach is known for great swimming conditions and small waves which are just big enough to boogie board on. The weather in Flamingo is perfect most of the year with only a couple months of rains. The town center has a few restaurants and shops, but is relatively small in comparison with towns like Coco or Tamarindo.
Location: Guanacaste
Why Flamingo Beach? Swimming, Snorkeling, Sport Fishing
Destination type: Popular destination for tourists.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Nosara
Nosara is a surfside village located in southern Guanacaste. Similar to Montezuma, Nosara has an interesting fusion of local Ticos and expats that combine for a really fun, unique and laid back atmosphere. The gorgeous beaches of Nosara are mostly known for large surfing waves. Lesser known is the fact that swimmers can also enjoy sections of Guiones Beach in front of the surf break.
Location: Southern Guanacaste on the Nicoya Peninsula
Why Nosara? Learn to Surf, Experienced Surfing
Destination type: Off the beaten path, but high percentage of tourists to locals
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia – LIR
Playa del Coco
Coco Beach is located only 20 minutes from Liberia Airport in northwest Guanacaste. In the past few years the town has been built up by condominium developers. The beach attracts more local Ticos than international tourists, but is a fun place to visit for nightlife and shopping from other close by beach areas such as Hermosa and Papagayo.
Location: Guanacaste
Why Playa del Coco? Swimming, Sport Fishing
Destination type: Somewhat off the beaten path for international tourists, but popular with locals.
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, other Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia – LIR
Tambor
Tambor is a quiet beach village located near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It requires a little effort, time and money to reach, but can be worth it if you are looking for a quiet beach area. The village is home to a couple restaurants and a few hotels.
Location: Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Why Tambor? Swimming
Destination type: Off the beaten path
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Rincon de la Vieja, Jaco, Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR
Rincon de la Vieja
Rincon de la Vieja is a national park, volcano and the area surrounding it. This fun area is located in the northwestern part of the country and home to some of the best adventures in Costa Rica. Popular activities here include hiking to the volcanoes crater, hot springs, canopy zipline, rafting, tubing, horseback riding and more.
Location: Northern Guanacaste
Why Samara? Adventure, Volcano
Destination type: Off the beaten path, but quickly gaining popularity
Combines well with: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, all Guanacaste beaches
Closest Airport: Liberia - LIR