Playa Copal (Bahía Salinas kite beach)
Beach · Guanacaste
The long beach in the inner corner of Bahía Salinas that made Costa Rica a kitesurfing destination: from November to May steady, strong winds funnel across the bay, and several kite schools give lessons and rent gear right on the sand. Outside the windy months the bay is calmer and the hills turn green.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 3 h
- Best time
- afternoon
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 7 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 11.028904, -85.703203 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Season
- Kite season is November–May (strongest December–March); May–October is calmer and greener.
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
A first kite lesson teaches you to fly the kite; actually riding usually takes several days of classes, so plan a few days if you want to learn. For lunch there are small restaurants and sodas in Copal and El Jobo.
Be careful
Stay clear of kite launch and landing zones when swimming. Wind and sun dry you out fast – drink plenty of water.
Getting there
From La Cruz take the road down to Bahía Salinas and follow it west to the Copal area; the beach is next to the kite schools.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/105681707 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/playas-de-la-cruz-guanacaste · https://www.routard.com/fr/guide/ameriques/costa-rica/l-arenal-et-le-nord-ouest/bahia-salinas · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/105681707