The best beaches in Guanacaste and Papagayo

List of the most beautiful beaches in Guanacaste and Papagayo Peninsula

Which are the nicest beaches in Guanacaste, the most pristine and breathtaking beautiful beaches in Papagayo ? The province of Guanacaste as well as the Papagagyo Peninsula and Bahia Culebra ( name of the narrow Golf inside the Papagayo Gulf ) and the regions South, near Tamarindo, Samara and Nosara have some really amazing beaches.

San Juanillo is quite impressive and unspoiled beach in Guanacaste
Beautiful San Juanillo

Of course, the famous names of Tamarindo, Conchal, Avellanas and Flamingo are the most popular ones, since they have had more development and tourism and residential activity over the past decades, but they are not necessarily the most beautiful ones.

Flamingo Beach Guanacaste
Flamingo Beach is popular and has been for decades

Commencing in the northernmost of Guanacaste, beaches that are quite spectacular, remote and unspoiled include Bahia Santa Elena, near Cuajiniquil, and Playa Blanca, perhaps the most amazing of all beaches in Costa Rica. It is located inside the Murcielago Sector of Santa Rosa National Park. A bit further South but still inside the Santa Rosa National Park is Playa Naranjo, a long, wild and jaw dropping beaches that is surrounded by only tropical dry forests. The Santa Rosa National Park, besides being vast and remote, is also of great importance since it is where the largest Jaguar population lives. It is also important since it protects the largest portions of tropical dry forests in Central America, and a haven for sea turtles and other wildlife species.

Top beaches in Papagayo

Further South, near Papagayo and El Coco, the top beaches include Playa Huevos, on the westernmost part of the Papagayo Peninsula and Playa Nacazcolito. Playa Virador and Playa Blanca, also within the Papagayo area, are also of great beauty. These beaches can be visited ( if requested in advance ) during our half day and full day sailing trip.

Playa Naranjo in Guanacaste
Playa Naranjo or Witchs Rock

Even further South, towards el Coco, the enchanting beaches of Guacamaya, Guacamayita, Dantitas, Danta and Matapalito and Playa Blanca de Matapalo are also of amazing beauty. Remember all these beautiful beaches are remote and undeveloped, with the excepcion of Playa Danta. This contributes to the natural beauty even more.

Pristine beaches near Tamarindo and Conchal

Going towards the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula, towards Samara and Nosara, some popular and beautiful beaches include Playa Conchal and Flamingo ( both highly developed ), Playa Ventanas, Playa Minas and Playa Real. The three later are small but highly beautiful.

Playa Huevos and Isla Huevos
Playa Huevos and Isla Huevos, very near of Papagayo and a destination during our tours.

Passing further South of Tamarindo,  one can find Playa Avellanas, which is a long sandy beaches, great for surgfing, of great beauty, with abundant nature and small scale development.

Finally, reaching Nosara and Samara, the top to beaches in the area and perhaps among the top 3 in all of the Costa Rican Pacific, are Playa Barrigona and Playa San Juanillo. Both are undeveloped, and present amazing white sand, incredible nature and scenery.