Having a rental car in Costa Rica, while pricey, is an absolute must if you want to head off of the typical tourist trail and explore all that this beautiful country has to offer.
Travellers heading to Costa Rica without private transportation tend to flock to beachside towns like Tamarindo and Playas del Coco. These beach towns, while both beautiful & convenient, are just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to what can be seen & enjoyed in Costa Rica’s Northern province of Guanacaste.
On our most recent Costa Rican adventure we picked up a rental car from Adobe Rental Car in Liberia, and drove South to Nosara and the tiny beach community of Marbella.
Arriving mid-afternoon in Marbella after spending two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport hotel in Liberia, we could not believe the view from our 3 bedroom, ocean view villa.
Needless to say, another benefit of having a rental car in Costa Rica is having the ability to choose accommodations secluded in the hills; villas like Senja House where you can enjoy expansive views, and hop into town for food & beach adventures whenever you’d like.
Of course, not all of our time in Marbella was spent lounging. We did plenty of beach hopping as well.
So, without further adieu, here are our top 5 not to miss beaches in the beautiful province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica (in no particular order).
Playa Pelada
Located just a short drive from neighboring Playa Nosara, Playa Pelada is a beautiful half moon bay with calm waters & far less crowds. Although a little rocky, the views here are fantastic & this little piece of paradise makes the perfect getaways for families with small children to spend a day.
Playa San Juanillo
Playa San Juanillo offers not just a beautiful beach, but a stunning viewpoint for enjoying sunsets over the ocean. Playa San Juanillo is a favorite among those who know about it, but still not too crowded to enjoy! Pack a picnic & head to Playa San Juanillo for supper & sunset … you won’t regret it!
PLAYA BLANCA
Playa Blanca (and Playa Blanca Sunset Point) is another beautiful white sand beach located along the Guanacaste Coast. While the other two beaches mentioned above have their rockier elements (especially at low tide) Playa Blanca is exactly what you might imagine when you think of a beautiful, pristine, white sand beach in the tropics! Feel the sand between your toes, laze beneath the palm trees or head up to enjoy the view from the Sunset Point & you will be amazed by the tranquility you find there.
PLAYA GRANDE
Located not too far from Tamarindo you will find the beautiful (and much cleaner) Playa Grande. If you are an avid surfer then this is definitely the beach for you. Playa Grande is not only one of the best spots to surf in Guanacaste, but many claim that it’s one of the best in the world. Visit Playa Grande to surf, watch the surf, or enjoy the scenery. It’s one of our favorites!
Playas del Coco
Head to Playas del Coco if you are looking for a beautiful beach a little closer to the action. Playas del Coco is not only a beautiful white sand beach, but it is located just steps from restaurants, shops & a main tourist strip, so while it may not be the most serene location, it is certainly an easy place to spend a day with friends & family.
Are you planning a trip to Costa Rica? Find even more information about traveling to Costa Rica on the TL Travel YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/tltravel) or reach out to one of our travel consultants at reservations@tltravel.ca & let us start planning your next tropical adventure today!