Playa Grande (Las Baulas)
Beach · Guanacaste
A wide, wild beach inside Las Baulas Marine National Park, where giant leatherback turtles nest — no buildings on the sand, steady surf and huge open sunsets.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- sunset
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 5 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 10.32736, -85.84856 — Google Maps
Tip
Daytime visits are free; turtle watching at night is only allowed on a guided park tour in nesting season (roughly October–March), so book ahead.
Be careful
Strong waves and rip currents — swim only on calm days and stay shallow. Crocodiles use the estuary at the south end.
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.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/6905150 · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Baulas_National_Marine_Park · https://twoweeksincostarica.com/playa-ventanas-guanacaste