When it comes to deciding which the best beach in Guanacaste Costa Rica is, you’ll rarely find two people who agree. The thing is, there are so many and each so particularly stunning in their own unique way, that it truly comes down to personal preferences. Are you more into touristy-packed places or off-road quiet settings? Do you enjoy surfing or long walks down the coastline? Do you identify yourself as an explorer or more of a lay-back-and-relax kind of traveler? Fortunately for us, the Pacific’s Golden Coast has plenty of options for us to choose from, and even better, they are close to one another, meaning you can try your Indiana Jones attitude one day, and switch to Sex & the City style the next. Trying to consider all traits as equally valuable, here’s our list of the best beach towns in Guanacaste Costa Rica.

1. Playa Conchal 

We couldn’t have a best beach in Guanacaste Costa Rica list and not include, up first, Playa Conchal. If you are looking for your A-list, classic paradisiacal, white-sand and turquoise water beach, then look no further. Popularly known as the most beautiful in the country, this wide, bay-shaped beach stands out for the millions of sea-shell fragments that compose its shores – which is where it gets its name from – and reflect the sunlight in a majestic iridescent way. This dust-free sand also allows the water to remain crystal-clear, thus making it an ideal place to go snorkeling if you are up for a more active approach. If you aren’t, then simply lay back, and enjoy the view.

1. Playa Flamingo

With pristine white sand shores of its own, Playa Flamingo is closely competing for the number one position in the ranking. Its quieter atmosphere makes it an ideal place for families and jet-setters looking to indulge in Guanacaste’s beauty in a more exclusive and sophisticated neighborhood. Its world-class marina is packed with charming cafes and picturesque shops, and promotes activities like sport and deep-ocean fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. Home to several up-scale gated communities, you can enjoy the lush natural surroundings while delighting in the comforts of a clubhouse, high-quality cuisine, workout facilities, biking trails, tennis courts, infinity pools and more. 

Casa del Mar – Mar Vista

Private, secure and located within the gated community of Mar Vista which has 24 hour security throughout. It is exquisitely designed to be the quintessential modern vacation home, with its large open floor plan and expansive windows, engulfing you in the Costa Rican sunlight!

Offering 3 Bedrooms and 4 Baths, and a separate TV Room with Queen pull-out sofa, if you’d like to choose this as an additional bedroom to host up to 10 people. 

1. Playa Danta/Dantita

Beaches Danta and Dantita are two epitomes of Costa Rica’s tropical beauty with wide open views of the ocean’s immensity and a dock from which you can jump off and swim away. These stunning beaches are within walking distance from Las Catalinas city center, one of the best beach towns in Guanacaste Costa Rica, and are perfect examples of why Guanacaste is renowned for its coastal splendor. Las Catalinas is a vibrant up-and-coming, European-style, family-friendly community filled with restaurants, ice-cream shops, breweries, fountains and 1,000 acres of tropical dry rainforest perfect for hiking, biking and trail running, right by its side. 

Casa Cazenovia – Las Catalinas

A charming 3-bedroom townhouse with a rooftop terrace, ideally situated just steps away from the stunning Playa Danta, where your group can gather to witness breathtaking sunsets while enjoying drinks or a delightful meal. 

1. Pirates Bay

Here’s where that Indiana Jones attitude we were talking about would come in handy, if you are not willing to give it a go, then we wouldn’t advise visiting this beach as a priority. Not because relaxing under the sun cannot happen at Pirates Bay, but rather because a great part of its charm resides in its having plenty of opportunities to explore. From hiking to snorkeling to wildlife watching, this secluded paradise has crystalline water and a dry tropical forest full of walking pathways to entice your spirit of adventure. Rustically charming, this untamed corner of rock and sand is the definition of a hidden gem. 

1. Playa Avellanas

If you are looking for the ultimate Costa Rican beach experience, this one won’t disappoint. You get the sand, the turquoise water, the waves, the sunsets, and the vibe. Located 11 km south of Tamarindo you’ll find Playa Avellanas, its lower profile cousin, with equally epic surf waves, warm blue water, long and wide golden sand shores but way fewer crowds. Ideal for families wanting a more chill atmosphere, as well as surfers not willing to share the ocean with all of Tamarindo’s beginners. Lola’s is the most popular restaurant in town and a true emblem of Avellanas, gather around if you wish to share a delicious tropical meal without changing out of your bathing suit. 

1. Playa Tamarindo

The most popular guy in school. Is it busier? Yes, but you don’t become the best beach in Guanacaste Costa Rica if you fail to gather a crowd. If you only had one shot to spare when visiting Costa Rica, we would advise you to use it in Tamarindo, because it is where you would get to experience a little bit of everything that makes this country great. The beach is long and wide, the ocean is clear and perfectly gentle to learn how to surf, it is filled with restaurants by the beach where you can drink a cocktail as you watch the most epic sunset you’ll find worldwide, it has both local and international flavors, artisan markets during the day and during the night, live music, happy hour, parties, wildlife, nature, warm people, and more. You name it, you got it. 

1. Playa Penca

Arguably one of the best beach towns in Guanacaste Costa Rica for its strategic location, Potrero may seem unassuming but it is home to more than one paradisiacal beach, Playa Penca amongst its finest. With almost flawless white sand and an aquamarine ocean with small and regular tides perfect for swimming and sailing, this little slice of heaven is perfect for travelers looking for a more serene ambiance to spend their days. If we were you though, we’d practice some very advantageous beach-hopping while you are in town, and we have just the place for you to stay at.

Villa Blanca

Nestled in the serene mountains overlooking Playa Potrero, this exquisite 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom haven sprawls over 5,500 sq ft, offering unparalleled privacy and modern comforts for an unforgettable getaway with easy access to nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and a handful of the prettiest beaches in Guanacaste.

1. Playa Marbella 

Every family has its black sheep, that one member that is different almost to rebellion and that highlights the good and the bad in the group by its mere existence. Well, we bring to you Playa Marbella, the black sheep to our homogeneous tribe of white-sand and crystal-clear waters. Secluded to a point in which you actually feel like you’ve left the rest of the world behind and entered a new dimension, where there’s only a deep-blue ocean, wild black sand and random packs of pelicans flying around as if that piece of land belonged to them. Like peeking into a secret place unconcerned with humans, Playa Marbella offers a quiet and solitary scene that you can step into and participate in as one more blissful member of nature’s banquet.  

1. Playa Grande

Another beautiful surf town with a big expat community, gorgeous sunsets and a special twist for wildlife lovers: leatherback turtles lay their eggs here between November and February each year, a must-see natural spectacle for which you can book a tour from almost anywhere in Guanacaste. Located within a National Park, this tropical sanctuary is quiet and less crowded.

1. Playa Minas

Last but never least we have Playa Minas, which could easily be tagged as the Pretty Girl of the group and one that can make you go “ahhhh” as soon as you set foot on it, captivating you completely. It is small and comfy, with perfect turquoise water and soft white sand, a rock wall on one side and plenty of shade for you to relax under. Great atmosphere, though it can get crowded during the weekends, playa Minas can make you feel like a movie, as it serves everything you could wish for when visiting a beach in a Caribbean country. 

What we learn from making this list is that you truly can’t go wrong when picking the best beach in Guanacaste Costa Rica, no matter where you turn, probabilities indicate you’ll land on some breathtaking piece of Earth. So whether you have a lot of time on your hands to explore many or merely a couple of days to wind down, all the best beach towns in Guanacaste we’ll be more than accommodating hosts to your vocational needs. 

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