PLAYA GRANDE · GUANACASTE · COSTA RICA
Where time slows down.
Miles of wild Pacific beach, leatherback turtles, and world-class surf. One hour from Liberia Airport, a world away from the crowds.
Playa Grande, Costa Rica's secluded beach community
Playa Grande is a laid-back beach community on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, about an hour from Liberia International Airport. Known for its long, uncrowded beaches, consistent surf and protected wildlife, it’s a quieter alternative to Tamarindo, just across the estuary. Come for the beach, stay for the sunsets.
Playa Grande at a glance
The essentials for planning your trip.
Getting here
About an hour (60 km) from Liberia International Airport (LIR) on a paved road. A regular car is fine all year.
Tamarindo, next door
Just across the estuary: a short water-taxi ride for $2–3, or 20 to 30 minutes by road.
Three beaches
Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas and Playa Carbón: about 6 km of Pacific coast inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, with no buildings on the sand.
Surf
One of Costa Rica’s most consistent beach breaks, with gentle whitewater for first lessons and powerful peaks for experienced surfers.
Leatherback turtles
Nesting season runs roughly October to March. Night tours are suspended, and the beach closes after dark during the season.
When to come
Dry season runs December to April. The green season, May to October, brings afternoon showers, lush hills, bigger surf and fewer people.
Where to stay
Small hotels, surf lodges and private homes, grouped by area: the village (RED) and Palm Beach Estates (BLUE).
Where to eat
From beachfront dinners to tacos, sushi, healthy bowls and live music, in the village and Palm Beach Estates.
The essence of Costa Rica, still here.
Endless beaches, golden sunsets, and the quiet joy of being together. This is where memories begin.
Consistent surf, all year long.
A quieter side of Costa Rica.
Las Baulas National Marine Park keeps buildings off the sand, and the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge protects the mangroves next door. So the village stays small, the beach stays wide open, and most evenings end with everyone watching the sunset.
