FOR YOU, FOR FREE: 18 years' worth of firsthand Costa Rica trip planning and travel advice compiled into hundreds of articles, plus exclusive discounts. Created by a Costa Rican and a four-time published Costa Rica guidebook author. Welcome, amigos, and as we say in Costa Rica, pura vida!
Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
Some of the information below is an excerpt from our Costa Rica beach guide. If you haven’t yet decided to visit Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast / Guanacaste and you’re open to visiting beaches in any region of Costa Rica, let the beaches in our countrywide beach guide direct you where to go:
Costa Rica’s Northern Pacific / Guanacaste beaches
One of the most time-consuming parts of Costa Rica vacation planning is deciding on a beach destination, and with a total of 1,228 kilometers of coastline to choose from, the task isn’t an easy one. If you have no idea where you want to go in Costa Rica, our Costa Rica Destination Tool can help you with that; you can use it (as many times as you want) to narrow down 66 Costa Rica destinations according to nearly 150 criteria in less than 1 minute. Alternatively, if you’ve already decided to visit Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast / Guanacaste but you’re not sure which beaches are found in the region, you’re in the right place. Our article below covers 25 beaches that stretch out along Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast (Guanacaste), some popular and others remote, including Playa Avellanas, Playa Blanca, Playa Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Playa Danta, Playa Dantita, Playa del Coco, Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande, Playa Hermosa, Playa Junquillal, Playa Langosta, Playa Matapalo, Playa Minas, Playa Nacascolo, Playa Negra, Playa Ocotal, Playa Panama, Playa Potrero, Playa Puerto Viejo, Playa Real, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Ventanas, Playa Virador, and Playa Zapotillal.
If you’re destined for a different region of Costa Rica (not the northern Pacific coast / Guanacaste), don’t miss our related blog posts:
We created the above map to showcase where each Northern Pacific / Guanacaste beach is located. Included on the map are the following sites:
Playa Avellanas (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Blanca (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Brasilito (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Conchal (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Danta (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Dantita (marked by a sun icon)
Playas del Coco (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Flamingo (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Grande (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Hermosa (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Junquillal (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Langosta (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Matapalo (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Minas (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Nacascolo (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Negra (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Ocotal (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Panama (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Potrero (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Puerto Viejo (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Real (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Tamarindo (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Ventanas (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Virador (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Zapotillal (marked by a sun icon)
Playa Avellanas (GC)
Playa Avellanas (sometimes cited as Playa Avellana) is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits south of the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Playa Blanca (GC)
Playa Blanca is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits south of the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Playa Brasilito (GC)
Playa Brasilito is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica, and connects with the north end of Playa Conchal.
Playa Conchal (GC)
Playa Conchal is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits south of the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica.
Playa Danta (GC)
Playa Danta is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Las Catalinas, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Danta, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Danta Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Dantita (GC)
Playa Dantita is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits north of the coastal community of Las Catalinas, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Dantita, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Dantita Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa del Coco (GC)
Playa del Coco is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Playas del Coco, Costa Rica.
Playa Flamingo (GC)
Playa Flamingo is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica.
Playa Grande (GC)
Playa Grande is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Playa Grande, Costa Rica, and falls within the boundary of the Marino Las Baulas National Park. Payment of a national park entrance fee is not required to access this beach, unless your visit is part of an authorized turtle nesting/turtle observation tour.
Playa Hermosa (GC)
South end of Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)North end of Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)
Playa Hermosa is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Hermosa, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Hermosa Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Junquillal (GC)
Playa Junquillal is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits south of the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Junquillal, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Junquillal Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Langosta (GC)
Playa Langosta is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits southwest of the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Playa Matapalo (GC)
Playa Matapalo is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Playas del Coco, Costa Rica.
Playa Minas (GC)
Playa Minas (also known as Playa Zapotillal) is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica.
Playa Nacascolo (GC)
Playa Nacascolo is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits on the east side of Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. To learn more about Playa Nacascolo, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Nacascolo Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Negra (GC)
Playa Negra is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits south of the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
Playa Ocotal (GC)
Playa Ocotal is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Playas del Coco, Costa Rica.
Playa Panama (GC)
Playa Panama is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits north of the coastal community of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica.
Playa Potrero (GC)
Playa Potrero is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Potrero, Costa Rica.
Playa Puerto Viejo (GC)
Playa Puerto Viejo is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Puerto Viejo, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Puerto Viejo Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Real (GC)
Playa Real is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica.
Playa Tamarindo (GC)
Playa Tamarindo is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It fronts the coastal community of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. To learn more about Playa Tamarindo, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Tamarindo Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Ventanas (GC)
Playa Ventanas is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits north of the coastal community of Playa Grande, Costa Rica.
Playa Virador (GC)
Playa Virador is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits on the west side of Costa Rica’s Papagayo Peninsula. To learn more about Playa Virador, including beach details, development, safety, access, parking, and more, see our related blog post: Photos of Playa Virador Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Own Personal Collection.
Playa Zapotillal (GC)
Playa Zapotillal (also known as Playa Minas) is located in the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It sits west of the coastal community of Brasilito, Costa Rica.
Pura vida!
Do you have questions about beaches in the Northern Pacific region (Guanacaste), want to know which beach is the best for you to visit based on the experiences you’re looking to have, or need help incorporating a visit to one of the beaches described above into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Northern Pacific / Guanacaste Beaches In Costa Rica
Description
Want to visit one of the Northern Pacific / Guanacaste beaches in Costa Rica? Don't miss these noteworthy beaches!
The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂
Great information. I’m heading to playa flamingo soon. This is my first time in this part of CR. I have twice before visited the Manuel Antonio area and absolutely loved it! Looking forward to exploring more of your blog.
That’s great! The Flamingo area is very different than the Manuel Antonio area, so hopefully you will enjoy both unique experiences. We know the two areas well, so if you need any assistance at all throughout your travels, we’re happy to help.
Pura vida! 🙂
This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Nikki Solano.
You found me somehow… Thank you. I so love Costa Rica. I am planning to go back soon. I have stayed in Nosara a few times and I am partial to the Nicoya Peninsula. I hope to see the Caribbean side next.
That’s great to hear! Don’t miss our related blog post Nicoya Peninsula Beaches In Costa Rica if you’re looking for beaches worth checking out on the Nicoya Peninsula the next time you’re in Nosara. 🙂
we have booked a place near conchal, so should become familiar with it and that area… each month which clicks by is one month less before “the betunadas litter the beach at conchal”
This is so helpful, thank you! We are planning a trip in February with my mom and our 3 year old son. We are debating between Playa Flamingo or Playa Hermosa. We will be renting a place and self-catering as well as eating out some times. We would like a small-town feel but not too isolated…definitely won’t be looking to party. Which town would you recommend? And how far is each from Playa Conchal? We hope to make it there for a day as it looks gorgeous:)
Assuming you mean Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste, as opposed to Playa Hermosa along the central Pacific coast, this beach town is about a 50-minute drive away from the east entrance to Playa Conchal, or else a 70-minute drive away from the west entrance to Playa Conchal. In contrast, Playa Flamingo, which is just up the coast from Playa Conchal, is about a 10-minute drive away from the east entrance to Playa Conchal, or else a 30-minute drive away from the west entrance to Playa Conchal.
Neither Playa Hermosa nor Playa Flamingo are party communities, and both have a small-community feel, so either one is fitting of your criteria. To help you decide which of the two beach towns is the better option for your family, you may be interested in using our Costa Rica Destination Tool, which allows you to select the criteria that you want in a destination (there are nearly 150 criteria to choose from) and instantly receive our destination recommendation(s). Since you’ve already limited your focus to two beach towns on the northern Pacific (Guanacaste) coast, you can select the “Guanacaste/Northern Pacific” criteria on our Costa Rica Destination Tool first, so the recommendation(s) you receive will be limited to that geographical area.
We are traveling in a month to Costa Rica and trying to finalize our plans and where to stay. Options are playa flamingo/playa hermosa or tamarindo. We love swimming in the ocean and would prefer to rent a place on the beach. What area would you recommend? Any particular properties?planning to rent a car to go out in the evenings. Any recommendations will be helpful!!!
Thank you!
Quick question: Have you yet used our Costa Rica Destination Tool? Most travelers are in the same position you are, and want help deciding which beach town(s) and/or other destinations to visit in Costa Rica, so we built the Costa Rica Destination Tool to help make this decision quick and easy. On our tool, you can select the specific criteria that you want in a destination (there are nearly 150 criteria to choose from) and you’ll instantly receive our destination recommendation(s). Since you’ve already limited your focus to three beach towns on the northern Pacific (Guanacaste) coast, you can select the “Guanacaste/Northern Pacific” criteria on our Costa Rica Destination Tool first, so the recommendation(s) you receive will be limited to that geographical area.
This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by Nikki Solano.
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Tagged: beach, coco, conchal, costa rica, costa rica travel, costa rica travel tips, costa rica vacation, flamingo, guanacaste, hermosa, ocotal, playa conchal, playa del coco, playa flamingo, playa hermosa, playa ocotal, playa real, playa tamarindo, real, tamarindo, tourism, travel, travel tips