Costa Rica

Guanacaste's Pacific coast strings together beach towns from lively Tamarindo to laid-back Nosara and Samara, backed by dry forest and an active volcano at Rincón de la Vieja.

Beach Towns

Name	Info	Details
Tamarindo	beach town · surf lessons, nightlife	The most developed beach town on this coast, with easy surf lessons for beginners, plenty of restaurants and a lively evening scene. Expect more traffic and higher prices than nearby towns.
Playa Guiones, Nosara	beach · surf, laid-back	A long sandy beach with consistent, forgiving waves that draws a yoga and surf crowd, set in a jungle-backed town with a much quieter pace than Tamarindo.
Playa Pelada, Nosara	beach · tide pools, sunset	A smaller cove beach a short walk from Guiones with dramatic rock formations and tide pools, a good sunset spot with a couple of oceanfront restaurants nearby.
Ostional Wildlife Refuge	seasonal · sea turtle nesting	One of the world's largest nesting sites for olive ridley sea turtles, where thousands can come ashore together during a nesting arrival. Check locally for timing since it follows lunar cycles rather than a fixed schedule.
Samara	beach town · calm water, low-key	A relaxed, less built-up beach town with a protected reef that keeps the water calm, good for families or anyone wanting a quieter alternative to Tamarindo.
Playa Conchal	beach · crushed-shell sand, snorkeling	Famous for sand made of tiny crushed shells and clear turquoise water, with decent snorkeling right off the beach.

Rincón de la Vieja & Nature

Name	Info	Details
Rincón de la Vieja National Park	must-do · volcano, hot springs, hiking	A dry forest national park built around an active volcano, with trails past bubbling mud pots, hot springs and waterfalls. The Las Pailas loop is the easiest way to see the volcanic features in a few hours.
Oropendola Waterfall	easy hike · swimming hole	A short, well-maintained walk across a couple of hanging bridges leads to a turquoise pool below the falls, an easy add-on near Rincón de la Vieja.
Hacienda Guachipelín	$$-$$$ · horseback riding, canyoning, hot springs	A working ranch turned adventure lodge near the park offering horseback rides, canyoning and river tubing, a good base for a full day of activities.

Restaurants

Name	Info	Details
Pangas Beach Club, Tamarindo	$$$ · beachfront seafood	Tables on the sand and a seafood-forward menu including paella and grilled octopus, a solid choice for a sunset dinner.
NOI Bistro, Tamarindo	$$ · breakfast and brunch	A reliable brunch spot open through early afternoon, good for coffee and a real breakfast before a beach day.
La Luna, Playa Pelada	$$$ · sunset cocktails, oceanfront	Right on Playa Pelada with lounge seating close enough to hear the waves, best timed for sunset with a cocktail.
El Lagarto, Samara	$$ · wood-fired grill	Everything from meat to whole fish to vegetables comes off a distinctive open wood-fire grill, a memorable casual dinner in Samara.