With over 300 beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, it’s difficult to determine which beaches deserve superlatives such as “prettiest” and “best waves” and “most beautiful sunsets,” but Samara Beach on the western shore of the Nicoya Peninsula is certainly one of them. It’s widely considered one of the prettiest and safest beaches in Costa Rica. The sparkling, calm, blue water, the dazzling white beach that’s lined with swaying palm trees, the thriving tropical plants, and living coral along a three-mile long Pacific coastline combine to make Samara Beach a very special place.
You might want to plan your trip to Samara Beach to coincide with its famous rodeo, a great experience for both locals and tourists. Another option is to plan some birding and wildlife expeditions or to do some howler monkeys watching. A very popular activity is to walk the horse-shoe shaped beach from end to end, and with so many palm trees, you’ll find the perfect place to spread out your beach towel or hang your hammock. No matter when your plans are at Samara Beach, you are certain to have a fabulous time.
Looking for an unique beach? Try Conchal Beach with its cover of white shells instead of sand. It’s quite a tourist destination and can be especially crowded on the weekends. With the luxurious Westin Resort situated directly on the beach, you can step from your room onto the sea shell beach and then into the war, azure water of the Pacific. Take note, however, that the waves are not calm in this area, so children and non-swimmers should beware. If you are especially looking for shells, walk to the northern end of the beach, but don’t take the shells away from the beach.
After you have seen enough shell, venture to the part of the beach named Puerto Viejo and enter into the small estuary, Reserva Conchal. You might also enjoy snorkeling on the north end, jet skiing, horseback riding, scuba diving, and deep sea fishing. For the most spectacular views of Conchal Beach and the surrounding area, take a sailing tour. However, Conchal Beach has obligatory surf schools with lessons from beginners to the more advanced. Conchal Beach will certainly leave you with many special memories to take home.
Looking for the place where the surf is always up? Try the quintessential surf village of Santa Teresa, a small beach town where the sun is bright, the sands is sparkling, and the water is crystal clear. And while your initial lure might be the beach, you’ll be surprised by the fishing, the kite-surfing, the yoga and spas, and the gorgeous sunsets. Even though Santa Teresa has recently boomed in popularity, it has managed to resist the high-rises and still has a pristine coastline with sandy white beaches bordered by a broad strip of forests and jungle covered hills that separate the beach from the town.
Santa Teresa is a great place for novice surfers with its easy-going breaks and many surf schools and camps, but Santa Teresa is about more than surfing. Try one of the long hikes along the scenic coastline, swim and investigate interesting sea life in the tidal pools, go snorkeling or fishing, or read a book while enjoying the amazing views from any direction.
Visitors often mention the memorable sunsets at the beach where the entire town seems to gather. Watching surfers show their talents, chatting with the Ticos, enjoying the bonfires, and planning for the rest of the evening all combine to make visitors feel welcome. Don’t be surprised if the beauty and atmosphere of Santa Teresa make you think about joining the many others who have settled at Santa Teresa permanently!
Although there aren’t any actual flamingos here, what you’ll see at Flamingo Beach, located on Guanacaste’s Gold Coast, is pristine white sand and more water sports offerings than you could possibly imagine. Add to the water sports the fact that Flamingo has world-class golfing at the award-winning Garra de Leon golf course, and you have the perfect vacation spot for many families. Snorkeling, diving, swimming, sunset cruising, and surfing are popular activities, and the sport fishing adventures departing from Flamingo Beach are among the best on the entire Pacific coast. Regarding the popular surfing in Costa Rica, Flamingo’s Potrero Grande surf break is highly ranked and is less crowded than Tamarindo Beach.
Flamingo Beach is the perfect location for a family getaway. On this Costa Rican oasis, you are sure to find unique fish that belong to multiple endangered species. Nearby, you can visit the Las Baulas National Marine Park, which serves as a home to leatherback turtles. Come in the months of October to February, and you will likely see these turtles give birth to their offspring. If you’re up for a more exhilarating adventure, scuba diving is available at the nearby Catalina Islands.
Flamingo Beach is a bit unique in that it incredibly remains relatively undeveloped and has only one resort directly on the beach. All other accommodations are on a hillside overlooking the beach and creating spectacular vistas. End your day with a superb dinner at Angelina’s, a beautiful restaurant located at the nearby Flamingo Resort.
