Playa Carbón (Las Baulas)

Before you go

Entry

Free · No fee to enter this part of the park (Two Weeks in Costa Rica, 2025).

Tickets

Free entry, no ticket

Walk

5 min

Swimming

Only when the water is calm

Bring

umbrella, water, food, sunscreen, shoes with grip

Fewer people

Secluded, far fewer people than Playa Grande.

Season

Clear water reported in January (dry season).

Checked

2026-10

Tip

Take the 5-minute trail from the north end of Playa Ventanas (it starts by a big tree) - it works at any tide.

Be careful

Currents can be strong - snorkel only if you're a confident swimmer. Much of the sand disappears at high tide. Break-ins happen at the Ventanas lots, so leave the car empty.

Getting there

No road access: walk from Playa Ventanas over the small hill (trail) or around the point at low tide.

Places nearby

• Cafe Mar AzulFood & CoffeeRelaxed all-day cafe at the Playa Grande Surf Camp in Palm Beach Estates, a short walk from the turtle beach.
• Maryola Tours - Tamarindo Estuary Boat SafariParks & WildlifeSmall operator for a roughly two-hour boat safari in the Tamarindo estuary with an English-speaking guide - migratory birds, howler monkeys and crocodiles - plus fishing trips.
• Tamarindo Estuary Tours (Mi Rey)Parks & WildlifeLocal outfit running covered boat tours, kayak rentals and horseback rides through the Tamarindo estuary mangroves - crocodiles, howler monkeys, birds, raccoons and bats.
• Pangas Beach Club TamarindoFood & CoffeeOpen-air beach restaurant where the Tamarindo estuary meets the ocean, with seating on the sand under big trees and good sunsets.
• Soda Buffet El EsteroSodas & Local FoodSmall family soda a few blocks from the beach where you build your own casado from a daily buffet, with a 4.9 Google rating.
• Nacho ToursTours & AdventureLocal tour and transfer company in Tamarindo with a perfect 5.0 on Google that sells the main Guanacaste day trips, from the Rincón de la Vieja volcano to Rio Celeste.