Playa Rajada (Bahía Salinas)
Beach · Guanacaste · hidden gem
A small light-sand cove at the far northwest corner of Costa Rica, past the fishing village of El Jobo on Bahía Salinas. The water is calm and clear, big trees throw shade right onto the sand, a rocky islet sits just offshore, and the sun sets straight into the Pacific. Next door, behind a rock formation, is the even wilder Rajadita.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- sunset
- Kids
- 8 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 9 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 11.029172, -85.74722 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Swimming
- Yes
- Facilities
- shade
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Bring
- snorkel, cash for snacks, picnic
- Fewer people
- Quiet most of the year; Holy Week brings campers.
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Bring a snorkel and stay for sunset. To reach Rajadita, walk the beach at low tide and scramble over the rocks. Note there is more than one 'Playa Rajada' on maps – you want the one near El Jobo, La Cruz.
Be careful
Watch the tide if you cross the rocks to Rajadita. From November to March strong winds can chop up the bay.
Getting there
From La Cruz, take the road down to Bahía Salinas and follow it west past Soley, Copal and El Jobo to the end at Rajada. The bloggers who visited went in a regular car.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/382771262 · https://www.teletica.com/nacional/playa-rajada-conquista-a-quienes-se-atreven-a-llegar-hasta-el-extremo-norte-de-costa-rica_413886 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/playas-de-la-cruz-guanacaste · https://delfino.cr/2021/01/el-corredor-turistico-costero-en-la-cruz-la-nueva-opcion-para-disfrutar-guanacaste · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/382771262