What makes Guanacaste beaches the most popular beaches in Costa Rica? Not only are they beautiful but they are easily accessible thanks to the proximity of the Liberia International Airport. Most visitors to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast have a short drive to the beach except for the lucky few staying directly on a beach, like guests of Casa de Luz. This luxury beach villa is located directly on the shores of Playa Langosta. Let’s explore some of the best Guanacaste beaches surrounding Casa de Luz and other luxury houses in Costa Rica.
Playa Langosta: Found just one mile south of popular Tamarindo Beach, Playa Langosta has two personalities. It is a quiet beach perfect for relaxing in the calm tide pools and features big waves that are ideal for the experienced surfer. A portion of the shore is protected from the waves and the natural tide pools found here are great for a cool dip and exploring for shells and tiny sea life. There are just a handful of businesses and vacation rentals found along the shoreline of Playa Langosta, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful vacation, despite its proximity to the busy streets of Tamarindo. This is the location of Casa de Luz – one of the luxury houses of Costa Rica lucky enough to call Langosta home, and the only one directly in front of the best tidepools in Guanacaste. This privilege is taken very seriously at Casa de Luz, where every detail has been carefully chosen to maintain the beauty of this natural paradise.
Tamarindo Beach: With dozens of restaurants, shops, and nightlife abound, Tamarindo Beach doesn’t fail to disappoint anyone looking for a bit of fun and excitement while visiting Guanacaste beaches. Despite its popularity with surfers and visitors from all over the world, the beach at Tamarindo is rarely over-crowded, except for a few busy holidays like Easter week and Christmas Day. With most tour companies departing from this hub, there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Tamarindo, including surf lessons, which is one of the most popular pastimes of Tamarindo. Guests at Casa de Luz can walk to Tamarindo Beach in 20 minutes or take a five-minute drive to reach all the best action, people-watching, and diverse flavors Guanacaste beaches have to offer.
Playa Avellanas: Just south of Playa Langosta in Avellanas Beach, which is backed by mangroves and gnarly, misshapen trees. Bring your camera! There is a bridge here that goes through the mangrove which is a must-see. While there is no town, there is a well-known local hangout called Lola’s that has been around for years – famous for its resident pig of the same name! This is a great place to kick back, order a cerveza, and watch the sunset. Avellanas is just a half-hour drive from Casa de Luz.
Playa Minas: On the opposite end of the spectrum from busy beach towns like Tamarindo, Playa Minas is a secluded and quiet beach found just south of Playa Conchal. Here you will find Mother Nature in all of her glory and little else – no amenities or stores or cell phone service and very few people! At just a half-hour drive from Tamarindo, Playa Minas is perfect for a quiet day at the beach. But be sure to bring everything you need and take it all with you when you leave. Minas is a 45-minute drive from Casa de Luz.
Playa Conchal: Recently voted the most beautiful beach in the world by Enjoy Travel Magazine, Conchal Beach is uniquely lovely thanks to its sand. Comprised of millions of tiny shell fragments, the sand at Conchal takes on a pinkish hue in certain light. This striking sight is compounded by its remote location, keeping it pristine and unpolluted. The crystal-clear waters here are often explored by snorkelers and swimmers alike. You cannot drive up to Conchal Beach, which helps to keep it uncrowded and cleaner than many Guanacaste beaches. To reach Conchal Beach you must park at nearby Brasilito Beach and walk for about 15 minutes south, or access the beach from W Hotel or Reserva Conchal, which is a resort community found along the shores of Conchal. This beautiful beach is 45 minutes from Casa de Luz.
Playa Grande: A popular beach for surfers, Playa Grande is a low-key town that has been building up over the years to become a popular place to settle for many expats. While the town is rapidly developing, the beach remains protected, as it is part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park. This is a protected area due to the Leatherback turtles that nest here from October to February. During the season, you can take a guided tour to see the endangered turtles. Playa Grande is also a great beach to visit if you are an experienced surfer or body surfer. If not, find a shady spot along the expansive beach and watch the action! The big waves at Grande sometimes make it unsuitable for swimming. Grande is 30 minutes away from Casa de Luz.
Playa Danta: Accessible from the community of Las Catalinas, Playa Danta is a small beach with big waves that are perfect for boogie boarding and strong swimmers. There are plenty of beachfront restaurants in Las Catalinas and rentals for SUPs, boogie boards, and mountain bikes. Las Catalinas is a car-free town, so you will have to park your vehicle in one of the parking lots once you arrive and walk down the paths to get to Playa Danta. You can also access the beach from the town itself. From Playa Danta, it is a half-mile hike to Playa Dantita, which is a very secluded beach surrounded by rocky cliffs. The hike here has beautiful views of the bay and Mediterranean-inspired town of Las Catalinas. Las Catalinas is a hiker’s dream with miles of trails that are definitely worth checking out. It will take an hour to reach Playa Danta from Casa de Luz.
Flamingo Beach: A popular spot for visitors seeking a high-end vacation or expats who want a luxury beachfront home, Playa Flamingo is a small beach town with a worldly atmosphere. Home to a brand new, world-class marina, Flamingo Beach is a white sand beach with fun restaurants like Angelina’s, which features live music at night and great lunch spots on the beach like Coco Loco. It is also quickly becoming a hot spot for luxury houses in Costa Rica. Spend a day here strolling the beach and Marina Flamingo for a glimpse of the high life! This beach is a 45-minute drive from Casa de Luz.
If you want easy access to all the top Guanacaste beaches, be sure to stay at a luxury house in Costa Rica like Casa de Luz. With eight bedrooms, close-up beach views, and direct access to the beach, Casa de Luz is the place to be for the ultimate beach vacation!
