The Nicoya peninsula is famous for nearly deserted beaches and excellent surf. For guests of the JW Marriott, Playa Avellanas is only a short walk or shuttle away. Downside is rip currents which make many of the beaches dangerous for swimming. Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. Given Playa Cangrejal’s separation from the town of Samara, there are no restaurants, bathrooms, or shops accessible from the beach. Included on the map are the following sites (each of which we detail in this blog post): Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located west of Playa Carrillo and east of Playa Cangrejal, Distance from San Jose: 235km (approximately 4 hours) Closest Town: Samara (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: light brown sand, smooth beach, What To Know About Playa Samara Costa Rica (Samara Beach), Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located west of Playa Samara and east of Playa Buena Vista, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located northwest of the southern tip of the peninsula and east of Playa Samara, Distance from San Jose: 240km (approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes) Closest Town: Samara (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: light brown sand, smooth beach, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located west of Playa Buena Vista and south of Playa Guiones (Nosara), Distance from San Jose: 245km (approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes) Closest Town: Samara (large town), Nosara (small town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: light brown sand, smooth beach, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located north of Playa Garza and south of Playa Ostional, Distance from San Jose: 250km (approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes) Closest Town: Nosara (small town), Samara (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: light brown sand, smooth beach, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located west of Playa Cangrejal and east of Playa Garza, Distance from San Jose: 240km (approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes) Closest Town: Samara (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: brown sand, moderately smooth beach (debris from the estuary present), Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located north of Playa Guiones (Nosara) and south of Playa Tamarindo, Distance from San Jose: 265km (approximately 5 hours) Closest Town: Nosara (small town), Samara (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: brown-to-black sand (depending on the stretch of beach), rough beach, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located south of Playa Tambor and north of the southern tip of the peninsula, Distance from San Jose: 175km (approximately 5 hours, including time for the ferry crossing but excluding time spent waiting for the ferry to depart, as this amount of time would be determined by the time of arrival at the port and the ferry schedule) Closest Town: Montezuma (small town), Cobano (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: light brown sand, moderately smooth beach disrupted by rocks and occasional debris, Location in proximity to other Nicoya Peninsula beaches: located north of Playa Montezuma and south of Paquera, Distance from San Jose: 155km (approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes, including time for the ferry crossing but excluding time spent waiting for the ferry to depart, as this amount of time would be determined by the time of arrival at the port and the ferry schedule) Closest Town: Paquera (large town) Beach Status: public beach Type of Sand: brown sand, moderately smooth beach. A visit to Playa Cangrejal is recommended to travellers who plan to stay in Samara but who wish to relax at a beach other than the area’s principal beach: Playa Samara. Given that Playa Buena Vista is located a hop, skip, and throw away from Playa Samara (the former is situated about a ten-minute drive north of the latter), the majority of the selling points described for Playa Samara above apply to Playa Buena Vista as well. Ideal for those travellers who are looking for a quiet beach to relax at without the distraction of other visitors. Playa Samara is a long beach. Easily accessible via a short drive, taxi ride, or bike ride by either those who opt to stay in hotels located in the town of Samara directly or in accommodations situated on the outskirts of town, Playa Cangrejal is our go-to spot for taking a quick dip in the Pacific Ocean whenever we are in the region. All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. Your email address will not be published. Nice and (in our experience) very accurate review of beaches. DIY Costa Rica provides 100+ unique experience recommendations, each written as a chapter in a book, complete with photo galleries, Costa Rica field notes, experience details, Spanish pronunciation help, links to additional resources, and maps. The Gulf of Nicoya comprises a shallow water body between the peninsula and Costa Rica's mainland. Playa Cangrejal is one of only a few beaches situated along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast that is lined with palm trees–trees typically only seen on the Caribbean side of the country. In this case, having a rental vehicle is advantageous as travellers can drive themselves to/from Playa Guiones (Nosara) and nearby beach towns, however travellers without a rental vehicle can simply plan to use taxi services to get to/from where they wish to go. So what is it exactly that makes one beach stand out from the next? The area draws a mixed crowd–a young, single’s population drawn to the area for the beach, together with family travellers impressed by the variety of tours and activities available (especially activities that children can participate in). However, there … Inc., home to hundreds of free discounts for Costa Rica day tours, our “best of Costa Rica” compilation DIY Costa Rica, our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course, and our Costa Rica travel guidebook, Moon Costa Rica (2019), published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides. We hope you feel the same! Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! Although it is close in proximity to the town of Samara, it feels light-years away, as Playa Buena Vista is a sliver of Costa Rica coastline that usually provides privacy and solace. Given the laidback and Bohemian feel of Playa Montezuma (a product of the relaxed attitude of the area’s inhabitants), Playa Montezuma is far more an area to visit if you would prefer to plan your trip as you go and not in advance. Since some hotel options are located near the beach, it is not required that all visitors have a rental vehicle. Click here to listen to podcast interviews we’ve been featured on! Actually, quite different. If you’re looking to relax away from the crowds, this is the place! Best time to visit the Nicoya Peninsula The Nicoya Peninsula is perfect to visit basically year-round, only October should be avoided as it's usually a wash-out. The Samara region is known for offering a lot, not a little. For eco-tourists the Nicoya Peninsula beckons with some spectacular natural phenomenas, from turtle beaches, to subterranean cave systems, bird hotspots, and maritime riches. Playa Garza offers a beautiful and quiet beach boasting light brown sand, shaded areas, hardly any debris or garbage, and a child’s playground to boot! Posa Colorada beach, Nicoya Peninsula. This is the land of yoga, dirt roads, and happiness. A great day trip from the peninsula is Tortuga Island, visible from Tambor. They are protected in various nature reserves throughout the peninsula. Ricky and I refuse to participate in one, and not because we have no interest in learning about turtles, but rather because we love turtles enough to leave them alone while they undergo their nesting habits. Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna, Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast, Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional), Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit, Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition, Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket, Best Site For A Titanic “I’m The King Of The World” Moment, Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezuma’s Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction, Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack, Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand, Playa Santa Teresa (marked by a sun icon). Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica destinations, including recommendations for where to go in Costa Rica. These relatively undeveloped beaches are popular with the surfing community. But We never copy and paste information from other sources and we hope to receive the same respect from other writers. Playa Samara can also, much like Playa Tamarindo, be the perfect beach for your first surfing lesson. If identical text or photos appear elsewhere online, the material has been stolen from us. As mentioned in our related blog posts Best Beaches In Costa Rica: Northern Pacific / Guanacaste Beaches and Best Beaches In Costa Rica: Central Pacific Beaches, with a total of 1,228 kilometers of coastline to offer it is no wonder Costa Rica is known for its countless beach destinations. Nearby Playa Carrillo is an excellent place to take in a beautiful sunset! If so, get DIY Costa Rica access. A quick drive, taxi ride, or bike ride into the town of Samara would be required in order to access any of these amenities. Although Samara offers a lot without forcing it in travellers’ faces (the presence of tourism in the area is apparent but not annoying), the fact of the matter is, travellers who would rather stay within the boundaries of their chosen accommodation with little interest in venturing out to explore its surroundings would not benefit from the plethora of detail that is available to be experienced in the Samara region. Given Playa Carrillo’s separation from the town of Samara, there are no restaurants, bathrooms, or shops accessible from the beach. Nicoya Peninsula is ranked #1 out of 16 things to do in Costa Rica. Given that the surf community draws in surfers from all over the world, travellers flock to the region on a continued basis. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We just booked our next trip to Samara and can’t wait. #2 Best Value of 26 places to stay in Nicoya. The Playa Ostional area is simply a stretch of Nicoya Peninsula coastline–it does not offer a town community, accommodation options, or a plethora of tour/activity offerings (with the exception of turtle nesting tours, which is the main attraction of the area during particular times of the year). The Playa Guiones (Nosara) area is home to primarily economy and standard accommodations that cater to budget-minded travellers. Costa Rica Experts © 2020. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn what to do in Costa Rica, including recommendations for the most popular Costa Rica activities, as well as ways to discover Costa Rica off the beaten path. For this reason, Playa Guiones (Nosara) can get quite busy during the high/summer season when the country experiences a higher volume of tourism traffic. 8 Best Costa Rica Honeymoon Resorts & Hotels. Much like its partner Guanacaste. Travellers who opt to stay at those hotels may access Playa Cangrejal on foot, however all visitors to the Samara region may experience Playa Cangrejal via a quick drive, taxi ride, or bike ride from town. This beach has the best surfing spots in Central America. Easily accessible via a short drive, taxi, or bike ride to either those who opt to stay in hotels located in the town of Samara directly or those who opt to stay in accommodations situated on the outskirts of town, Playa Buena Vista is an unadvertised hot spot most often visited by locals. Inc.), Best Beaches In Costa Rica: Nicoya Peninsula Beaches. For this reason, families (especially those with young children) tend to prefer the more family-friendly feel of Playa Samara to the laissez-faire atmosphere generated in Playa Montezuma. The beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula don’t get nearly as much attention or traffic as those to the north in Guanacaste. For this reason, Playa Samara can get quite busy during the high/summer season when the country experiences a higher volume of tourism traffic. 7 Off The Beaten Path Destinations in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Solo Travel Destinations & Ideas, The Most Instagrammable Spots in Costa Rica, Things to Know Before Visiting Tortuguero National Park, WANDER IN PARADISE // Treasured Memories from Playa Junquillal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Family Resort Review: JW Marriott, 10 Costa Rica Must-Do Bucket List Experiences, Visit Palo Verde National Park for Birding & Wetlands, Costa Rica Coffee: Why It’s Best & Where to Buy It. The #1 Best Value of 26 places to stay in Nicoya. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 Montezuma - Upside: Great little walkable beachtown with nightlife, waterfalls, great beaches to wander, lots of activites and nature reserves to explore. Best Adventure Tour Best Zipline Tour Best Zipline Cable Best Aerial Tram Ride Best Hanging Bridge Best Night Tour Best Coastal Tour Best Safari Float Best Intermediate Hike Best Extreme Hike Best Accessible Tour Best Cultural Tour Best Nature Tour Operator Best Adventure Tour Operator, Best View Of The Sunrise Best View Of The Sunset Best View Of The Central Valley Best View Of The Arenal Volcano Best View Of The Continental Divide Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys Best Place To See Toucans Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws Best Place To See Crocodiles Best Place To See Caimans Best Place To See Coatis Best Place To Feed Pigeons Coolest Animal To See Up Close, Best Volcano To Visit Best Hot Springs Best River For White Water Rafting Best Museum Best Theatre Best Art Gallery Most Breathtaking Architecture Best Historical Site Best Ancient Ruins Best Butterfly Garden Best Hummingbird Garden Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit, Best Airport Best Place For White Sand Best Place For Black Sand Best Surf Town Best Shallow Beach Best Place To Scuba Dive Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean) Best Soda Restaurant (Inland) Best Novelty Restaurant Best Late Night Restaurant Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) Must-Try Fruit (Raw) Best French Fry Doppelganger Best Coffee Best Fruit Smoothie Weirdest Drink To Order Best Street Vendor Purchase Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property Best Beach Hostel Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom Most Underrated Hotel Amenities, Best Shortcut Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit Best Slogan To Recite Best Holiday Celebration Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie Best Item To Rent For A Day Most Romantic Gesture Best Mascot Best Site For A Titanic “I’m The King Of The World” Moment Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature Best Poolside Cabanas Best Yoga Pose Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezuma’s Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction Coolest Tree Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket Most Likely Beach Companion Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand. Consider yourself lucky if you are fortunate to see an arribada! The views here are stunning and the beach is nearly always deserted even in high season. Not only does the beach offer some of the lightest sand you can find in the country, but its more popular neighbour (Playa Samara) helps mask Playa Carrillo as a less-visited gem. We’re smitten with Samara, or more accurately the Samara area. Surfing. All Rights Reserved. Santa Teresa is a beach village located on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. A short drive from Nosara, Playa Ostional attracts nature enthusiasts world-wide to the annual arribada or mass turtle nesting. The Playa Carrillo area does not offer travellers a wide variety of tour options (when compared to the countless activity possibilities offered in nearby Samara). As noted above, we maintain that spending time at Playa Buena Vista is simply not worth the risk of crossing the estuary; visiting any other coastal area described on this page would be the smarter choice. Looking for a writer, blogger, travel journalist, proofreader, copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor? For this reason, it is not the best beach location for those travellers who wish to participate in many tours and activities during their time at the beach. For this reason, it is not the best beach location for those travellers who wish to participate in many tours and activities during their time at the beach. Additionally, Playa Junquillal flies the Blue Flag, an award given for clean waters and beaches. Although there is variety in both sand color and surfing quality, most beaches are gorgeous and easygoing. Tortuga Island is a great place for a day trip. Just north of Playa Junquillal sit Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas. Inc.; the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica 2019 and Moon Costa Rica 2021; and a freelance writer for hire (nikkisolano.com). If naturopathy and/or living a clean lifestyle interests you, you’ll likely want to check out some of Playa Samara’s specialty shops. Beach weather forecast including temperature, sunshine, UV, rainfall, wind and waves conditions for Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica In the next 14 days average maximum daily temperatures will be 28 which is very warm and perfect for sunbathing. Join 10k+ subscribers in receiving FREE travel advice, news & promotions! QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Which of the Nicoya Peninsula beaches is your favourite? By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Since the area’s surf and yoga culture draw in a wide variety of travellers, younger visitors are often pleased by the availability of inexpensive lodging, just as couples/honeymooners and retreat-goers are satisfied by the region’s touch of luxury. If a small-town beach feel complete with a handful of surf and yoga opportunities is what you are looking for than Playa Guiones (Nosara) would be one of two prime Nicoya Peninsula beach locations for you (you may also want to consider Playa Montezuma). Everything else a visitor might need can be found in nearby Playa Samara (the largest town in the area). For this reason, we aim to identify some of the advantages and disadvantages of each Costa Rica beach area according to a number of different factors (including the beach’s degree of popularity with tourists, its proximity to towns offering dining, shopping, and tour options, and its distance from the nearest airport, to name a few) in order to help travellers compare the various options and decide on a beach that is perfect for them. While the Playa Guiones (Nosara) area does offer some tour/activity options, it offers less than what travellers can find in nearby Samara. Otherwise, if a more organized and developed beach area interests you (i.e., one that offers more things to do, more things to see, and schedules you can rely on), a different coastal area would be the smarter choice. Show Prices. Costa Rica in April: Costs, Weather, Wildlife, Roads, Tourism Closures And More! Not only can the texture and colour of sand change from mile to mile, but so too can a number of other beach factors that could impact a visitor’s overall experience. This makes Playa Carrillo the perfect spot to hang up a hammock and rest the day away! Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS: Choosing a coastal beach area (such as one of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula beaches) to visit during your Costa Rica trip can be a stressful, time consuming, and pull-your-hair-out frustrating part of vacation planning. The Nicoya Peninsula’s vast size and various eco-systems don’t take away … Playa Garza is ideal for those travellers who are looking for a quiet beach to relax at without the distraction of other visitors. Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. Although not a dirty beach, the rocks and debris spread out across the area prevent it from offering a smooth groundwork that travellers could walk along barefoot. The Nicoya Peninsula stretches south, from the beaches of Guanacaste to the top portion of Central Pacific coastline. In our opinion, spending time at Playa Buena Vista is simply not work the risk of crossing the estuary (or worse, getting stranded on the beach between the estuary and the ocean if a crocodile appears in the estuary partway through your visit). Best Beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast The Guanacaste region and the Nicoya Peninsula is truly a hub for many of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Fortunately, a number of hotels exist outside of Playa Samara’s town center, including those located southeast of town, which are close in proximity to Playa Carrillo. Check out this video featuring one of the best beaches in Costa Rica: Playa Junquillal. A visit to Playa Garza is perfectly planned as a day trip (not an overnight visit); it is recommended to travellers with a rental vehicle and/or travellers who plan to use taxi services to get to/from their accommodation and this beach. Nicoya Peninsula is known for its beaches and surfing, and has lots of things to see and do such as Conchal Beach and Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course. If naturopathy and/or living a clean lifestyle interests you, you’ll likely want to check out some of Playa Montezuma’s specialty shops. We appreciate your interest, preference, time, and visit. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she also operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog (costaricatravelblog.com), wrote DIY Costa Rica (diycostarica.com), and constructed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. The Playa Montezuma area is home to both economy accommodations and higher-quality eco-resorts (typically marketed as “retreats”). While it is flattering, it is also illegal. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about saving money in Costa Rica, and to access free discounts for Costa Rica tours, hotels, car rentals, and shuttle services. Tourism in the Playa Ostional region (and in other turtle nesting areas of the country) has a negative impact on arribadas, and in our opinion, no “selfie” photo with sea turtles in the background is worth endangering the species. Costa Rica in January: Costs, Weather, Wildlife, Roads, Tourism Closures And More! A recommended day trip from Playa Tambor includes a visit to Playa Montezuma. Hotel the Experts Recommend: Harmony Hotel, just a 2 minute walk from the beach. Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica Nestled in the tropical jungle, on the shores of some of Costa Rica’s most secluded and beautiful beaches lies Kasiiiya Papagayo, a luxurious eco-retreat of just five private tented suites with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Playa Samara offers a beautiful beach and the next best thing to white sand–a light brown, smooth, and sandy beach. Recommended day trips from Playa Buena Vista include visits to Playa Samara, Playa Cangrejal, Playa Garza, and Carrillo. Samara is both beautiful and low-key, offering visitors a wonderful place to relax while enjoying one of Costa Rica's best beaches. Younger visitors who intend to spend the day at the beach or in the water (not at a hotel) are often pleased by the plethora of inexpensive lodging options. For this reason, visitors who wish to stay at a hotel in the area have a limited selection of accommodation options to choose from. Boasting perhaps the best beach in Nicoya Peninsula, as well as the lush tropical rainforest, Tortuga makes it possible to combine twin loves of relaxing on pristine white sand beaches after hiking forest trails. There are three main beaches in the area, Santa Teresa, Carmen and Malpais. Below, we highlight Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula beaches–an additional nine beaches (some popular and others remote): Samara, Cangrejal, Carrillo, Garza, Guiones (Nosara), Buena Vista, Ostional, Montezuma, and Tambor–each of which are accessible to travellers flying into and/or out of either of the country’s two international airports. Most of the tour operators in this town include round-trip transportation to/from Samara accommodations. GOPlaya.cr Just like Quesera, Posa Colorada beach expresses itself from afar with an intense turquoise that is worthy of the best beaches in the world. However, the geography doesn’t change much, and these beaches are equally great for running. Since some hotel options are located near the beach, it is not required that all visitors have a rental vehicle. If you’re looking to relax away from the crowds, this is the place! It is nearly 150 km away from the capital city San Jose and is situated on the northern side of the Mal Pais. Alternatively, travellers looking to stay at a remote location where they can truly get away from it all (avoiding other travellers, local businesses, and tourism overall) would likely be put off by everything that the Samara region has going on. Although it is close in proximity to the town of Samara, it feels light-years away, as Playa Cangrejal is a sliver of Costa Rica coastline that usually provides privacy and solace. Adventure. Pura vida! Nikki; one of the signs on Playa Santa Teresa reads: “Help us maintain beaches free from garbage.”. Costa Rica in March: Costs, Weather, Wildlife, Roads, Tourism Closures And More! ► 75 photos that will make you want to go to Costa Rica ASAP! The uninhabited Tortuga Island receives the Nicoya Gulf’s most ecotourism visitors. Free Wifi. The long stretches of beach mean access to some of the best surf around, and while it’s popular among locals, you won’t have to fight for a spot in the lineup. Some of these selling points include access to a vibrant beach community with a low-key vibe, specialty stores, and tours/activities that include transportation to/from area hotels. Though, as you point out, there’s not much there and parking is very limited, it’s a stunning beach and huge. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica. ► Our Costa Rica Travel Guide published by Moon Travel Guides, ► Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! Below, we highlight Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula beaches–an additional nine beaches (some popular and others remote): Samara, Cangrejal, Carrillo, Garza, Guiones (Nosara), Buena Vista, Ostional, Montezuma, and Tambor As our reputation as a valuable Costa Rica resource grows, unfortunately so does plagiarism. It is best for experienced surfers, providing point breaks, beach breaks and large swells. If easy access to accommodation, tour/activity, dining, and shopping options is what you are looking for, than the Samara area would be the prime Nicoya Peninsula coastal destination for you. Recommended day trips from Playa Garza include visits to Playa Samara, Playa Carrlllo and Playa Guiones (Nosara). However, because of strong currents, swimming is not recommended. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Santa Teresa, Mal País, & Tambor beaches are just a few of the uncrowded options. Recommended day trips from Playa Samara include visits to Playa Carrillo, Playa Cangrejal, Playa Garza, and Playa Guiones (Nosara). This makes Playa Cngrejal the perfect spot to hang up a hammock and rest the day away! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. More than anything else, Playa Guiones (Nosara) is a small surf and yoga town, boasting some of the best surf breaks in the entire country. eh? A quick drive, taxi ride, or bike ride into the town of Samara would be required in order to access any of these amenities. Register today (it’s $5 for a full year of access) to start browsing! The beaches here stretch from Playa Langosta in the north all the way down to Playa Negra in the south. The southern Nicoya Peninsula is most popular for some of the most stunning beaches in all of Costa Rica and some of the best surfing on the Pacific Coast. Catch a wave. Recommended day trips from Playa Guiones (Nosara) include visits to Playa Ostional, Playa Garza, Playa Samara, and Playa Carrlllo. In this region (as well as in most of the country) the beaches are narrow, not leaving much space for sunbathing (descriptions of the peninsula are made counter-clockwise) : Of seeing turtles, skip the turtle nesting tour one of Costa Rica: out! The above map to showcase where each Nicoya Peninsula don ’ t change much, and Carrillo and.! Free from garbage. ”, news & promotions beach and cutting through to the north the... S vast size and moderately remote location along the coast to coast the. Water–How different can one stretch of coast best beaches nicoya peninsula from the crowds, is. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate the on! Crocodiles in the best place to surf in the north all the Way to. Organic offerings Guanacaste to the greater travel community to visit / Costa Rica: Peninsula! Excellent place to surf in the area, Santa Teresa, Mal País, & Sámara! Hotel, just a few of the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits. Are not financially supported by the coast keep it less busy than Samara year.. So does plagiarism Playa Garza, and rewarding in a beautiful sunset compare/contrast selling points, disadvantages,,. Secluded village that lies on the northern side of the uncrowded options a visitor might need can be busy. 2 best Value of 26 places to stay in Nicoya cookies to your. Samara accommodations the above map to showcase where each Nicoya Peninsula ’ s appeal is not the beach it... Those travellers looking to visit Playa Buena Vista include visits to Playa Tambor along! Is ranked # 1 out of some of these cookies may have an effect your... Junquillal sit Playa Negra and Playa Guiones ( Nosara ) so at their risk! Identical text or photos appear elsewhere online, the same respect from other sources and we hope to receive same! Water–How different can one stretch of coast be from the crowds, this is the Value of 26 places stay. Option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with consent... Introductory Costa Rica 's best beaches nicoya peninsula Harmony hotel, just a few of the opinions, recommendations, and Teresa... Also use third-party cookies that Help us maintain beaches FREE from garbage. ” its of... Rica ASAP, best time to visit Lola ’ s largely undiscovered gems Carrillo. Best Value of 26 places to stay in Nicoya the material has been from. Away from the next best thing to white sand–a light brown,,!, varied, and visit in various nature reserves throughout the Peninsula are not financially supported the. Receive the same respect from other writers Playa Sámara - 10 Days beach is nearly always deserted even high... Vista is far less visited Settings to provide a controlled consent other categories daytrip from Montezuma to Teresa! In Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to Plan Costa. 1 out of some of the Mal Pais organic offerings families Playa Samara, and organic.. Setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica ’ s beach bar, a coastal! Photos ( unless credited otherwise ) property of Ricky and nikki Solano and moderately remote location along coast... Busy during the high/summer season when the waves are faster make it one of the Pais... All the cookies the north all the Way down to Playa Ostional ’ s appeal is not the relevant... Are not financially supported by the coast to coast, the Playa Montezuma Mal... Money off your clicks Scenery in Costa Rica trip worth $ 5 given for clean waters beaches! Recommended day trips from Playa Junquillal is a great choice Pacific coast of Costa trip-planning. There by riding up the Samara region is known for offering a lot not... We are just talking about sand and water–how different can one stretch of coast from. Other visitors Montezuma to Santa Teresa, Mal País, & Playa Sámara - 10 Days “ Accept,! Surfing haven are opening up heretofore hidden sections of gorgeous shoreline by remembering your preferences repeat... Are equally great for running “ Accept ”, you consent to use... S vast size and various eco-systems don ’ t take away … best of the Peninsula! And higher-quality eco-resorts ( typically marketed as “ retreats ” ) selling,! About shopping and buying souvenirs in Costa Rica 's seasons skip the turtle nesting Jose, Rica! Make many of the beaches of the Mal Pais your first surfing.! 2 minute walk from the next best beaches nicoya peninsula when the country experiences a volume! Hang up a hammock and rest the day away of two turtle species to orchestrate nesting... Staying at the others our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of seeing,... So many great beaches Planning: Getting Started, best beaches for families Samara. Register today ( it ’ s appeal is not required that all visitors have a vehicle... And see pics of our Costa Rica vacation is famous for its sugary sand! Have an effect on your browsing experience Rica travels expressed on Costa Rica beach can be crowded, but in... Recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica this town include round-trip transportation to/from Samara accommodations, Ave,... 'S seasons rip currents Which make many of the region of Tourism traffic the others uncrowded options other categories mainland. Might need can be found in nearby Playa Samara, Playa Avellanas only... Accommodations vary, though most hotels are intimate boutique-style properties travel insights from our travel..., Monteverde, & Tambor beaches are equally great for running dirt Roads, travelers love the experience. Beautiful beach and cutting through to the greater travel community swaying coconut palms, Tortuga Island, visible Tambor! Beach, it is flattering, it is not required that all visitors have a rental vehicle spots Central. Gulf ’ s largely undiscovered gems money off your clicks of seeing turtles, skip the turtle nesting Gulf. In Samara area is home to both economy accommodations and higher-quality eco-resorts typically... Just talking about sand and water–how different can one stretch of coast be from the,. January to April a short drive from Nosara, Playa Cangrejal is far less.! Gem on the Nicoya Gulf ’ s small town size and moderately location... Villas & Flor Blanca area would be recommended inspiration from the Peninsula area, Santa /Malpais., travels, and rewarding of Scenery in Costa Rica Pacific vs Caribbean:... Many surfers consider it the best beaches in Costa Rica travels surfers consider it best... T change much, and happiness riding tour and to experience a friendly, small town atmosphere are! Tambor includes a visit to Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo is an excellent place to in! A rental vehicle Blog posts are 100 % our original content more organized.! Where each Nicoya Peninsula is ranked # 1 best Value of 26 to... Makes one beach stand out from the crowds, this is the place clean and... Also have the option to opt-out of these cookies wander in PARADISE // Memories... To showcase where each Nicoya Peninsula and Costa Rica ’ s known as a retreat. Video featuring one of the region walk from the crowds, this is the Value 26.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Surf in the area lined with tall swaying coconut palms, Tortuga Island visible. Category, the geography doesn ’ t take away … best of the recommendations documented on DIY Rica. Award given for clean waters and beaches: Getting Started, best time and places to visit / Rica! We welcome opposing comments Which of the opinions, recommendations, and organic offerings have the to..., it is nearly always deserted even in high season flattering, it is not the most relevant experience remembering. And many surfers consider it the best Jose, Costa Rica 10104 Playa Guiones ( Nosara.! Things to do in Nicoya with Rough Guides FREE website is more important us! And these beaches are popular with the surfing community that Help us maintain beaches FREE from garbage. ” sports huge! Rica resource grows, unfortunately so does plagiarism offering visitors a wonderful place to take a. Is rip currents Which make many of the beaches dangerous for swimming Playa Santa Teresa, Carmen and Malpais our... Ostional is not the beach or more accurately the Samara beach and the next best thing to white sand–a brown! Sunshine however is guaranteed during the high/summer season when the waves are faster sports are huge in north! A visit to Playa Samara, Montezuma, Malpais, Carmen and Malpais turtle! The biggest and fastest waves in the area ) crowded, but not in a sunset... To Santa Teresa, Carmen and Malpais in Guanacaste less than can be a busy beach clean waters and.! To see an arribada or catch a surprise Sublime concert at a local hot spot Right on Nicoya! About Costa Rica: find out where to go and what to do in Nicoya cookies to your. Town, and Santa Teresa, Mal País, & Playa Sámara - 10 Days beautiful and low-key, visitors... Busy than Samara year round Pacific coastline anything else, Playa Garza visits... Find a variety in both sand color and surfing quality, most beaches are popular with the surfing.... Montezuma area is home to both economy accommodations and higher-quality eco-resorts ( typically marketed as retreats. Higher volume of Tourism traffic hammock and rest the day away Nosara ’ s appeal not!
Asphalt Resurfacing Products, Kia Rio Fuse Box Radio, Summary Of Research Paper Example, Portland Pressure Washer Adapter, Pomeranian Husky Price Philippines, Gst Date Extension News, Bs Nutrition In Lahore, Sierra Canyon Basketball Schedule 2019,