PLAYA PUERTO SOLEY |
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Located in the northern part of Guanacaste, on wide, beautiful Bahía Salinas. This beach is very popular among residents of nearby La Cruz. The surf here is moderate, the sand soft. Famous for its sunsets, this beach invites visitors to walk along the shore and enjoy the splendor of the bay and Isla Bolaños. |
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PLAYA COYOTERA |
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This is a large beach, in front of which lies Isla Bolaños. The island can be visited by boat or kayak. A great place to windsurf during windier months, this beach is ideal for relaxing, walking and horseback riding, as well as exploring nearby places on mountain bikes. |
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PLAYA RAJADA |
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Gentle surf waves make this place a perfect beach for swimming and relaxing in the shade of its lush trees. Rajada is also excellent for walking and photo taking. |
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PLAYA JOBO |
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Set in a beautiful, sheltered cove with little surf, this beach’s breathtaking scenery is complemented by its coastal greenery. It’s a great place to swim, relax and contemplate, as well as enjoying plants and bird life. |
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BAHIA CUAJINIQUIL |
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Sheltered from winds, this bay’s main attraction is a beautiful mangrove swamp. It’s a popular place with fishermen, who find it a safe place for their boats. |
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PLAYA BLANCA |
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Located within Santa Rosa National Park’s Murciélago sector, this beach is on the Santa Elena Peninsula, the geologically oldest region in Costa Rica. The lovely bay is bordered in the south by the Fila Carrizal mountain range, which stretches to Cabo Santa Elena. Abundant coastal greenery, ample space and calm waters make this an ideal place for relaxing, walking, swimming and observing the fascinating plant and bird life. Nearby beaches may also be visited, such as Santa Elena and El Hachal. Camping is permitted near the park’s administrative office, 17 kilometers from the beach. |
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PLAYA NARANJO |
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This long beach is located 12 kilometers from Santa Rosa National Park’s administrative office. Its northern stretch features a tongue of dark sand surrounded by ocean and river mouths that form a wide estuary and mangrove swamp rich in plant and animal species. The beach is perfect for walking and enjoying the magnificent scenery, which includes Peña de la Bruja, a rocky isle popular among surfers. Camping is permitted. |
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PLAYA BLANCA AND VIRADOR |
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With crystalline blue waters and gentle surf, Playa Blanca is located near Punta Mala inside Bahía Culebra. Along with other beaches, Blanca forms the Gulf of Papagayo tourism project. From this 960-meter-long beach, Playa Monte del Barco and Playa Chorotega can be seen across the way. Together, Playa Blanca and neighboring Playa Virador form a narrow natural bridge that connects them to Punta Mala. Set in a lovely cove with white sand and crystal-clear waters, Virador is great for swimming and diving. |
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PLAYA NACASCOLO |
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With clear blue water and gentle surf ideal for swimming, walking and diving, this beach is well frequented by tourists arriving in by boats from various nearby hotels or water transportation companies. Its indisputable beauty makes Nacascolo a great place to walk along the beach shoreline and explore the small estuary at its southern end.
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PLAYA IGUANITA |
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A beautiful beach at the back of Bahía Culebra, Iguanita is bordered to the north and south by two rocky points. To the south flows the Quebrada Grande, which empties into the Iguanita estuary, forming a dense mangrove swamp. |
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PLAYA MONTE DEL BARCO |
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This small beach is located between two points that give it shelter, providing a lovely environment for relaxing and swimming. From the slopes and top of the neighboring hill, visitors can see all the splendor of Bahía Culebra—spectacular at sunset. Monte del Barco has been awarded the Blue Flag. (Ecological Blue Flag Program)
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PLAYAS CHOROTEGA (PANAMA) |
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A large, fine-sand beach with little surf, Chorotega is fringed by mainly brazilwood, manchineel and mesquite trees. A small mangrove swamp occupies the Rocha estuary. Popular for swimming, relaxing, walking and camping, the beach is frequented by families wishing to enjoy the beautiful maritime landscape that stretches to the white beaches on the other side of Bahía Culebra. |
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PLAYA HERMOSA |
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Around two kilometers long, this lovely gray-sand beach is located between two mountainous points. To the south, in front of Punta Cacique, are Isla Pelona and Isla Montosa. With little surf and abundant coastal greenery, this Blue Flag beach is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, beautiful sunsets, water sports (including diving) walking and horseback riding. |
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PLAYAS DEL COCO |
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With a long tradition, this is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. Located in a bay with little surf, it is highly suitable for swimming and boat anchorage. Its gray sands stretch for almost three kilometers. To the south is Punta Centinela, which features a white-sand cove. Playas del Coco offers a wide range of services that allow tourists to enjoy all kinds of recreational and sporting activities, including sport-fishing, diving and boat tours. The beach is also great for walking and horseback riding. |
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PLAYA OCOTAL |
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Set in a cove bordered by hills, this beach has gray sand and little surf. At its southern end is Punta Cirial, surrounded by crystalline waters. This beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports such as diving and sport-fishing, which are offered in various parts of the region. Magnificent views of the Gulf of Papagayo are enjoyable from the heights of the adjacent hills. South of Ocotal, there is a smaller cove called Bahía Azul or Pez Vela (Blue or Sailfish Bay), known for its sport-fishing camp. Ocotal is a Blue Flag beach. |
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PLAYA GUACAMAYA |
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With gentle surf and lush greenery, this lovely beach is set amid a beautiful maritime landscape dotted with several islets. Sunbathing, swimming, walking and rest and relaxation are enjoyable activities, and the photo opportunities are excellent. |
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PLAYAS DANTA Y PAN DE AZUCAR |
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These beaches are set in two coves less than a kilometer long and flanked by hills that offer magnificent panoramic views of Bahía Potrero and Bahía Brasilito. The calm waters here are ideal for swimming. The Pitahayas and Santa Catalina isles can be viewed from Playa Danta. Some nine kilometers away, the Santa Catalina isles make up one of the most preferred diving site in the entire coastal region. |
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PLAYA PRIETA |
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This small beach lies to the south of Pan de Azúcar, and is separated from it by a rocky area. It features gentle surf and lush coastal vegetation. To the south are Punta Prieta and Chocoyas isle, which separate the beach from Playa Penca and provides special natural appeal to the surrounding landscape. |
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PLAYA PENCA |
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Being small, this Blue Flag beach has moderate to strong surf and features an estuary and mangrove swamp that, added to the presence of Chocoyas isle at the north end of the beach, make it especially attractive and highly apt for relaxation and contemplation. |
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PLAYA POTRERO |
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Set in a bay of calm waters, this beach is some four kilometers long and features estuaries and mangrove swamp, as well as beautiful scenery. At its southern end lies Marina Flamingo (Blanca). Potrero is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, walking, and horseback riding. Organized sport-fishing and diving are available here. |
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PLAYA BLANCA (FLAMINGO) |
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Set in a cove with moderate surf suitable for swimming, this beach features a mangrove swamp and, to the north, Isla Plata and Punta Salinas, which separate Brasilito and Potrero bays; Punta Salinas offers a spectacular view of both. Because of its natural beauty and the excellent and varied services it offers, Playa Blanca is ideal for those who wish to enjoy both beach and nightlife.
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PLAYA BRASILITO |
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This beach and Conchal make up Bahía Brasilito. The surf and drop-offs are gentle to moderate, depending on the area. A mangrove swamp and Isla Loros lie at the southern end of the beach. Here, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and taking in the maritime scenery, as well as gorgeous sunsets. |
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PLAYA CONCHAL |
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This beach and Conchal make up Bahía Brasilito. The surf and drop-offs are gentle to moderate, depending on the area. A mangrove swamp and Isla Loros lie at the southern end of the beach. Here, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and enjoying the maritime scenery, as well as gorgeous sunsets. |
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PLAYA REAL |
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Playa Real, together with Playa del Roble to the south and Playa Nombre de Jesús to the north, make up one long coastline; the first two are separated from the third by Punta Real. All three are light-sand beaches that together stretch some two kilometers long. This lovely coastal landscape is complemented by several isles and rocky promontories adding into the scenery. The gentle to moderate surf is suitable for swimming, walking and other activities such as sea kayaking. |
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PLAYA VENTANAS |
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This cove is located northwest of Playa Grande, from which it is connected (or separated) by a rocky promontory that, due to its shape, gives the beach its name (“Windows Beach”). Ventanas is great for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing and walking north towards the point and diminutive Playa Carbón.
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PLAYA GRANDE |
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Forming part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, this beach gets its name from its great size. It stretches south to the Tamarindo estuary, site of a large mangrove swamp (the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge) that can be toured by boat to check out the flora and fauna. Playa Grande is particularly popular with surfers, as well as visitors wishing to observe nesting giant leatherback turtles. This Blue Flag beach is also great for sunbathing, walking and swimming. |
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PLAYA TAMARINDO |
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Playa Tamarindo, along with Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas, make up Bahía Tamarindo. This beautiful beach features rocky areas and an island (Capitán) at its southern end. Its luxuriant greenery includes pink trumpet trees, tamarinds and coconut palms. Excellent and varied services are offered, allowing visitors to enjoy the beach by day and the nightlife after sunset. A Blue Flag beach, Tamarindo is ideal for relaxing, walking, horseback riding and sport-fishing and diving tours, as well as visiting the mangrove swamp and observing nesting sea turtles. South of the bay lies the most important stretch of coast for surfing. |
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PLAYA LANGOSTA |
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Separated from Tamarindo by Punta San Francisco, this cove has two main areas divided by the mouth of the Río San Francisco. To the north the coast is rocky and unsuitable for swimming; to the south is a mangrove swamp. Both areas are very pleasant for walking and observing the scenery and diverse bird species. A Blue Flag beach, Langosta is quite popular with surfers.
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PLAYA AVELLANAS |
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Located five kilometers south of Langosta, this beach features a rocky coast stretching several kilometers, with lush vegetation. The surf is strong, with two distinct sections both good for surfing. Other activities include walking, swimming and observing little fish and mollusks in the tide pools that form in the rocks.
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PLAYA NEGRA |
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Located between Avellanas and Junquillal, this beach features a rocky coast, excellent surfing conditions and, despite its name (Black Beach), it is light sand. To the south lies a less frequented stretch of coast (Callejones) that is also good for surfing.
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PLAYA JUNQUILLAL |
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Long and wide, this beach has a varied landscape good for walking and horseback riding. Junquillal features coastal greenery, rocky areas and very good diving and surfing, for which it is well known. Fishing and kayaking are also possible at this Blue Flag beach. |