Best Beaches in Guanacaste Near Hacienda Guachipelin
Hacienda Guachipelin may not be a beach resort, but we sure are close to some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Located a 30-minute drive from Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste, this is one of the most developed cities in Costa Rica and home to the country’s second-busiest international airport (Daniel Oduber International Airport), receiving regular flights from all over the world. It is ideally located in close proximity to Costa Rica’s most popular attractions: beaches and volcanoes (that’s us!) To the east of Liberia, you will find our very hospitable Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin in the foothills of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and National Park. And to the west is a long stretch of some of the most beautiful coastal terrain on the Pacific Coast that is home to a number of stunning and diverse beaches in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste’s spectacular beaches stretch from the border of Nicaragua to the North down to the Nicoya Peninsula. Here, you will find popular beaches such as Tamarindo, Flamingo, Hermosa, El Coco, Samara, and Nosara. And in between, you will also find some of the most secret and special beaches that few tourists know about, despite their beauty and great surf. Guanacaste’s beaches are the perfect place to see incredible marine life, marvelous coastal landscapes, and bright blue skies and water.
There are beaches to fit every preference in Guanacaste. Tranquil, wild beaches are juxtaposed with popular resort destinations just minutes away. So, to help you find your perfect beach destination, here is a list of some of the best beaches in Guanacaste and what we love about them.
Playa Tamarindo
About a 2-hour drive from Hacienda Guachipelin is the brown sandy beach of Playa Tamarindo. It is located in a popular beach town called Tamarindo, which is probably the most iconic tourist destination in Guanacaste for its surf and amenities. This is not the place to go if you are looking for a quiet retreat but a great place for surfing and tourism activities.
Playa Langosta
This beach is a quieter option to its louder neighbor, Playa Tamarindo, that is also great for surfing, including beginner waves. This is a good location for families to stay and a great base for local nature and adventure tours.
Playa Flamingo
A beautiful light sand beach near Playa Tamarindo with lots of shallow water near the coast for easy swimming. This is a popular but very long beach that feels less busy due to its size.
Playa Conchal
Locally known to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with incredibly soft white sand that is the result of pulverized conch shells. This beach is less populated than nearby Tamarindo because of its more remote access.
Playa del Coco
A forty-minute drive from Liberia, this is one of Costa Rica’s most notable beach towns for economy travelers. There are a variety of restaurant and shopping options just minutes from the beach, making this very accessible for those without a car rental and looking for multiple entertainment options
Playa Hermosa
A popular family beach near Playa del Coco, this is the quieter version of the more popular beach, still with a number of activities available in the area. This is a lovely brown sand beach with a long shallow shore that’s great for swimming.
Playa Ocotal
This is a fairly remote and small beach near Playa del Coco that is a refuge away from tourists and tour activities. For those looking to get away somewhere quiet, this beach is a great choice.
Playa Potrero
Tranquil and serene Playa Potrero is famous for its turquoise blue water and lush coast. This is a popular base for sport fishing and diving due to its proximity to the Catalina Islands formation. It is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts in Costa Rica.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is a popular but relatively unpopulated surf beach. It is also the annual location for nesting leatherback turtles known locally as the arribada.
Playa Panama
This is a relaxed beach that is surrounded by forest and a great place for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking due to its gentle waves in this natural harbor.
Playa Real
Playa Real is a less developed beach near the popular surf towns of Tamarindo and Matapalo. It is possibly one of the best beaches to experience a Costa Rican sunset and a great location for seashell seekers. This is a quiet destination away from the tourist masses.