Costa Rica

Las Camelias Lagoon Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:07:54 +0000

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The Las Camelias Lagoon Wildlife Refuge was created on January 5th, 1994, in order to protect palustrine wetlands and forests which serve as a feeding area, shelter and breeding area for a wide variety of wildlife in the northern part of Costa Rica, near the Nicaraguan border in Upala, Alajuela. This refuge is part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area.

Las Camelias Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is a palustrine wetland that includes this lagoon bordered almost exclusively by Yolillo Palm (Raphia taedigera) and flooded forests. These forests serve as feeding and breeding area for some 240 species of birds, including endangered species such as Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) and the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), about 30 species of amphibians and reptiles, including a large number of caimans (Caiman crocodiles) and some 148 species of plants. Also serve as habitat areas to preserve the different species of wildlife such as jaguar, tapir, peccary and the rest of the biodiversity of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area (ACAHN).

Las Camelias Lagoon Wildlife Refuge aims to recover also the basins of the Pizotillo Gaucalito Rivers which feed the wetland, developing a management plan to reduce sediment and increase economic options and the technical capacity of local people to productive management of natural resources.

The area is influenced by climatic conditions in the Atlantic and, to a lesser extent, of Nicaraguan Lake, which has a regulatory function. The climate here can be classified as tropical rainforest, with annual rainfall between 3,000 and 4,000 mm, with an average temperature of 25ºC (77ºF) and high relative humidity between 85% and 90%.

There are no public facilities at Las Camelias Lagoon Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes Tenorio Volcano National Park, Miravalles Volcano National Park, Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Arenal Volcano Emergency Zone Forest Reserve, Arenal Volcano National Park and Corredor Fronterizo Costa Rica – Nicaragua National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Las Camelias Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge:

Take the General Cañas highway (Route #1) towards San Ramón/Puntarenas. Keep driving on the Route #1 and approximately 8 Km beyond the city of Cañas, Guanacaste; make a right at the intersection towards Upala (Route #6). Keep driving on the Route #6 for some 55 km until you get to Las Camelias Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway. Driving time from San José is about 3.5 hours.

From Liberia (Daniel Oduber Airport) take the road (Route #21) heading towards the city of Liberia. At Liberia’s intersection take the road (Route #1) with direction to Bagaces/Cañas. Keep driving on the Route #1 and approximately 20 Km alter the city of Bagaces, make a left at the intersection heading towards Upala (Route #6). Keep driving on the Route #6 for some 55 km until you get to Las Camelias Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge. Driving time from Liberia is about 1.5 hours.

An alternative approach is to take the Pan-American Highway from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada also known as San Carlos, then drive toward to Upala until reaching the refuge. Driving time from San Carlos is about 2 hours.

By bus:

You can take a bus San José – Upala, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Upala, 2221-3318).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Upala or the Arenal Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From the Arenal Airport you can rent a car and drive to the refuge, which is about 2 hours.

Location: 220 km (137 miles) N of San Jose in Upala, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Upala GPS Coordinates: 10°53’46.97″N, 85°01’31.18″W
Size: 64 ha (160 acres)
Altitude: from 30m to 100m (100ft to 330 ft) above sea level
Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area (ACA-HN) Telephone: +(506) 2460-0055
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Decreto Ejecutivo No. 22753-MIRENEM

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Las Camelias Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge in Alajuela, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Costa Rica National Parks

Nati — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:45:42 +0000

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Costa Rica, with more than 615 wildlife species per 10,000 km2, is located on the top of the list as the most bio-diversify region of the world, because it is home to an incredible abundance of exotic tropical flora and fauna. This small country in Latin America is home of 12 key ecological areas. With an estimated 5% of global biodiversity, makes undoubtedly that many scientists and naturalists from around the world refer to Costa Rica as an “Alive Eden”.

That is why in 1970, Costa Rica established the National Park System to avoid the destruction of wilderness areas, so that 25% of the country’s land, in an effort to preserve much of the natural beauty and its surroundings, has been set aside and turned into parks and protected reserves to safeguard the spectacular environment and beauty, preventing deforestation and exploitation. This means that more than a quarter of Costa Rica has set aside for conservation.

Now 12 percent of the areas in Costa Rica are protected as national parks, and another 16% as biological reserves, wildlife refuges, protected areas and biological corridors. Costa Rica has about 27 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected areas, 15 swampy wetland areas, 11 forest reserves and 8 biological reserves, as well as 12 other conservation areas that protect the diverse natural habitats found throughout the country.

Costa Rica is home to 10,000 species of plants and trees, and at least 850 species of endemic and migratory birds, 205 species of mammals, 220 species of reptiles, 160 species of amphibians, about a 1013 species of freshwater and salt water fishes, and more than 35,000 species of insects. This diversity and richness of natural wildlife, makes Costa Rica a paradise.

Primary forests, rainforests, cloud forests, swamps, mangroves and coral reefs are just some of the habitats protected by Costa Rica national parks and reserves. Areas of geological and geophysical interest as active volcanoes, caves, areas of historical and archaeological sites such as battlefields and Pre-Columbian settlements, areas of beautiful scenery such as beaches, waterfalls and important conservation areas for species such as the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) and the Magnificent Frigate (Fregata magnificens) nesting islands, or recent Mesoamerican dry forest left standing, or beaches where whales of the immense sea meet, are some of the sites are within protected parks and reserves in Costa Rica.

Some of the most popular parks in Costa Rica include the Poas Volcano National Park with its stunning crater and lake; Manuel Antonio National Park is definitely one of the most exuberant in Costa Rica, with spectacular white sand beaches bordered by the lush tropical jungle; Arenal Volcano National Park being the most active volcano in the country; the Tortuguero National Park, where thousands of turtles as the Green, the Leatherback and the Hawksbill Turtle, come to nest along the vast beach; the Chirripo National Park with the highest mountains of Costa Rica; Corcovado National Park, a pristine tropical jungle of undeniable beauty, considered one of the most biologically intense places in the world, as well as one of the most important natural resources of America; the Ballena Marine National Park, where visitors can see large populations of humpback whales and dolphins; and Cahuita National Park, one of the best areas for diving in the world thanks to the extraordinary spectacle of the coral reef and colorful fishes.

Most national parks and reserves in Costa Rica are easily accessible for visitors, where ecotourism is an important factor in generating the necessary funds to continue the protection of the wilderness. Below is a list of parks and reserves in Costa Rica that are running at the time by province:

San Jose:

Braulio Carrillo National Park
Chirripo National Park
La Cangreja National Park
Los Quetzales National Park

Cacyra National Wildlife Refuge
Cataratas Cerro Redondo National Wildlife Refuge
Fernando Castro Cervantes National Wildlife Refuge
Paramo National Wildlife Refuge
Steve Friedman National Wildlife Refuge
Surtubal National Wildlife Refuge
Cerro Las Vueltas Biological Reserve

Alajuela:

Arenal Volcano National Park
Juan Castro Blanco National Park
Miravalles Volcano National Park
Poas Volcano National Park
Tenorio Volcano National Park

Bosque Alegre National Wildlife Refuge
Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge
Laguna Las Camelias National Wildlife Refuge
Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge

Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve
Arenal Volcano Emergency Zone Forest Reserve
Cerro El Jardin Forest Reserve
Grecia Forest Reserve
La Cureña Forest Reserve

Heredia:

Braulio Carrillo National Park
Cerro Dantas National Wildlife Refuge
Jaguarundi National Wildlife Refuge
La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and Wildlife Refuge

Cartago:

Barbilla National Park
Chirripo National Park
Irazu Volcano National Park
Tapantí National Park
Turrialba Volcano National Park

Guayabo National Monument
Lankester Botanical Garden
Rio Macho Forest Reserve
Rio Pacuare Forest Reserve
La Marta National Wildlife Refuge

Puntarenas:

Carara National Park
Corcovado NationalPark
Cocos Island National Park
Manuel Antonio NationalPark
Ballena National Marine Park
Piedras Blancas National Park

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve
Nicolas Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve
Guayabo, Negritos and Pajaros Islands Biological Reserves
Guayabo Island Biological Reserve
Los Negritos Island Biological Reserve
Pajaros Island Biological Reserve
Caño Island Biological Reserve
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve

Guanacaste:

Barra Honda National Park
Diria National Park (Diria National Forest Wildlife Refuge)
Guanacaste National Park
Las Baulas National Marine Park
Palo Verde National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Santa Rosa National Park

Bahia Junquillal National Wildlife Refuge
Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge
Cipanci National Wildlife Refuge
Costa Esmeralda National Wildlife Refuge
Curi Cancha National Wildlife Refuge
Dr. Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero National Wildlife Refuge
Iguanita National Wildlife Refuge
Mata Redonda National Wildlife Refuge
Ostional National Wildlife Refuge
Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge
Werner Sauter National Wildlife Refuge

Bolaños Island Biological Reserve
Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve
Taboga Forest Reserve

Limon:

Barbilla National Park
Cahuita National Park
Chirripo National Park
La Amistad International Park in Costa Rica
Tortuguero National Park

Aviarios del Caribe National Wildlife Refuge
Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge
Corredor Fronterizo Costa Rica – Nicaragua National Wildlife Refuge
Dr. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife National Refuge
Limoncito National Wildlife Refuge

Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve
Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve

Conchal Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:23:23 +0000

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Location: between Mina and Brasilito beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.403061, -85.803356 (10°24’11.02″N, 85°48’12.08″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Conchal beach is one of the most exotic and beautiful beaches in Costa Rica all shaded by trees, covered by hundreds of millions of tiny crushed shells (hence the name) and crystalline turquoise waters, Conchal makes a wonderful place to swim and do a little snorkeling.

With a particular variety of marine life, you can swim with many tropical fish. It is only by the time you bathe in its waters that you know why this beach is so special, the soft and crystal clear sea let you see all the little fish swimming next to you.

For those who like a bit more adrenaline in, Conchal beach you can also found other activities such as open sea fishing, diving, jet ski, ATV tours, horseback riding and other water sports.

Getting to Conchal beach in Guanacaste:

From San José

Drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right towards Conchal and Flamingo for about 4.5 km (3 miles) until you get to Brasilito. Here turn left and continue through Brasilito beach until you reach Conchal beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right towards Conchal and Flamingo for about 4.5 km (3 miles) until you get to Brasilito. Here turn left and continue through Brasilito beach until you reach Conchal beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Conchal beach, which takes about 5 minutes.(Tralapa, 2221-7202). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Nature Air airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Conchal beach, which takes about 15 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Conchal beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Mina Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:26:44 +0000

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Location: between Nombre de Jesus and Conchal beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.396297, -85.830178 (10°23’46.67″N, 85°49’48.64″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Getting to Mina beach in Guanacaste:

From San José

Drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you reach the small town of Matapalo. In Matapalo, turn right after the soccer field and then make a sharp left turn and a right turn to continue for 5 km (3 miles), when the road splits continue to the left for about 1.5 miles, you should see the Bahia de los Piratas Hotel blue signs all over the way to playa Mina, the entrance to the Mina Beach is 1 km before the hotel on your right. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you reach the small town of Matapalo. In Matapalo, turn right after the soccer field and then make a sharp left turn and a right turn to continue for 5 km (3 miles), when the road splits continue to the left for about 1.5 miles, you should see the Bahia de los Piratas Hotel blue signs all over the way to playa Mina, the entrance to the Mina Beach is 1 km before the hotel on your right.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, making the stop at Huacas which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). Or you can take a bus San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes about 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, 2221-7202). In both cases you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi from Huacas to Mina beach, which takes about 15 minutes. We also recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Mina beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Real Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:40:06 +0000

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Location: between Ventanas and Nombre de Jesus beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.386047, -85.838453 (10°23’09.77″N, 85°50’18.43″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Real Beach is a light pink sand beach, with crystal clear turquoise waters and surrounded by lush vegetation. It is a small bay which protrudes several islands that give a majestic landscape. Its waves go from mild to moderate, suitable for swimming, fishing, diving and other water sports and it also offers lodging facilities to tourists. In fact, Real beach is also known as the Bahia de los Piratas, which is the name of the hotel facing this heavenly beach.

Getting to Real beach in Guanacaste:

From San José

Drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you reach the small town of Matapalo. In Matapalo, turn right after the soccer field and then make a sharp left turn and a right turn to continue for 5 km (3 miles), when the road splits continue to the left for about 2 miles, you should see the Bahia de los Piratas Hotel blue signs all over the way to playa Real, this Hotel is facing the beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you reach the small town of Matapalo. In Matapalo, turn right after the soccer field and then make a sharp left turn and a right turn to continue for 5 km (3 miles), when the road splits continue to the left for about 2 miles, you should see the Bahia de los Piratas Hotel blue signs all over the way to playa Real, this Hotel is facing the beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, making the stop at Huacas which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). Or you can take a bus from the route San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, 2221-7202). In both cases you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi from Huacas to Real beach, which takes about 15 minutes. We also recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Real beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Ventanas Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:11:51 +0000

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Location: between Grande and Real beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.346636, -85.8592 (10°20’47.89″N, 85°51’33.12″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Ventanas is a lonely virgin beach located to the north of Grande beach, with white sand, crystalline waters and moderate swells. It is ideal for swimming and diving, as well as to explore its vegetation.

Ventanas beach is part of Las Baulas Marine National Park, which aims to protect the nesting of Leatherback sea turtles that come ashore each year, from October to May to lay their eggs on the beach, an incredible spectacle to behold if you are one of those lucky enough to see it. During these months, after 6 pm, visitors are only allowed to the beach with a guide. Furthermore, there is a nearby hill, Cerro El Mono, which can be climbed along the rocky platforms and cliffs, to see small colorful fish at low tide.

Getting to Ventanas beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, continue straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 11 km (7 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Ventanas beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, continue straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 11 km (7 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Ventanas beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, making the stop at Huacas which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). Or you can take a bus from the route San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, 2221-7202). In both cases you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi from Huacas to Ventanas beach, which takes about 15 minutes. We also recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Ventanas beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Grande Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:06:47 +0000

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Location: between Tamarindo and Ventanas beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.334675, -85.847822 (10°20’04.83″N, 85°50’52.16″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Grande beach, with its pristine shoreline and clear blue water, is one of the best beaches on the Guanacaste coast. It is an important part of the Las Baulas Marine National Park, as it is home to the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles that come ashore every year, from October to May, to lay their eggs on the beach, an incredible spectacle to behold if you are one of those lucky enough to see it. During these months, after 6 pm, visitors are only allowed to the beach with a guide.

Surfing along Grande Beach is incredible and has attracted surfers from all around the World, as it is considered one of the best places to learn to surf or improve your surfing skills, as breaks are moderate and constant, earning Grande Beach a reputation of one of Costa Rica’s premier surf destinations. If you are not a surf fan, further north of the beach is excellent for swimming. However, take care as the currents can draw even experienced swimmers into the open sea.

Since Grande beach is part of a protective zone, hotels don’t have any rooms facing the beach.

Getting to Grande beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 9 km (5.5 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Grande beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, go straight ahead following the signs to Las Baulas Marine National Park for 9 km (5.5 miles) passing through Matapalo, until you get to Grande beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, making the stop at Huacas which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). Or you can take a bus from the route San José – Huacas – Flamingo – Brasilito, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, 2221-7202). In both cases you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi from Huacas to Grande beach, which takes about 15 minutes. We also recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport tothe Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Nature Air airlines every day. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Grande beach, which takes about 20 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Grande beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:44:25 +0000

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Location: between Langosta and Grande beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.303414, -85.839303 (10°18’12.29″N, 85°50’21.49″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Tamarindo beach is among the most popular vacation destinations in Costa Rica, thanks to its pristine beaches with crystal clear blue waters, exquisite nature and stunning sunsets.

At Tamarindo beach besides surfing, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, boogie boarding, turtle watching, horseback riding, sport fishing, scuba diving, golfing and ATV tours, you can also visit the nearby Diria National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Las Baulas Marine National Park, where leatherback turtles come every year to nest and breed.

Tamarindo is the area’s most well developed tourist town with plenty of accommodations to suit every pocket, from luxurious beach-front hotel to hostels. With much to enjoy & even more to do, this multi-cultural community is the ideal place to have some fun in the sun!

It is important to keep in mind that Tamarindo beach has strong rip currents and barely submerged rocks, so be careful swimming here. Also the estuaries to the north and south are very dangerous to cross at medium to high tide.

Getting to Tamarindo beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you get to Tamarindo beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 4 km (2.5 miles) until you get to Tamarindo beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, which takes from 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Tamarindo beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Langosta Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:15:30 +0000

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Location: between Pinilla and Tamarindo beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.287547, -85.850669 (10°17’15.17″N, 85°51’02.41″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Langosta beach is a great place to go for some peace and also known for its amazing surfing. It is mostly a rocky beach with some sandy patches perfect for swimming.

Langosta beach, at its southern end, sits near the mouth of an estuary and has an excellent surf break, attracting surfers from Tamarindo who prefer to surf amid some peace and quiet. Undoubtedly, Langosta is an excellent place to spend a peaceful day after being at the popular Tamarindo.

Getting to Langosta beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Belen. There, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 8 km (5 miles), turn right and follow the road for 5.5 km (3.5 miles) passing through Tamarindo, until you get to Langosta beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Tamarindo, which takes 4 to 5 hours (Alfaro-Tracopa, 2222-2666). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Langosta beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Avellanas Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:55:31 +0000

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Location: between Negra and Tamarindo beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 10.2275, -85.836689 (10°13’39.00″N, 85°50’12.08″W)
Canton: Santa Cruz
District: Tamarindo

Avellanas boasts some of Costa Rica’s best surf spots, so it is considered a paradise by surfers worldwide, known as ‘little Hawaii’ by the locals, the offshore swells here can reach as high as 18 feet, making Avellanas a dream destination for any surfer.

While not the best place for swimming due to strong currents, Avellanas beach is perfect for those who want a quiet place to relax and get away from the routine of other beaches. If you do not surf, you can always take an extended horseback ride along the shore, or unwind at Lola’s bar on the beach, which plays some pretty good music and has really good food and drinks! The accommodations at Avellanas are also quite affordable and reasonable.

Getting to Avellanas beach in Guanacaste:

From San José drive north to Puntarenas and then follow the highway to Liberia until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant towards La Amistad bridge until you get to Santa Cruz. Continue on the highway for 1 km and turn left to Tamarindo. Continue for about 15 km (9 miles) passing through 27 de Abril, turn left to Junquillal and continue for 13 km (8 miles) until you reach Paraiso (a small town). There, turn right and follow the road for about 4 km (2.5 miles), passing through Negra beach. Turn left and continue for about 500 m down to Avellanas beach. This route requires a total of 4 hours from San José.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south until you reach Belen, there, turn right and continue on the road until you get to Huacas. Once in Huacas, turn right to Tamarindo for 10 km (6 miles) and then turn right, follow the road, passing through Pinilla, and follow the signs to get to Avellanas beach.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Santa Cruz, which takes 4 to 5 hours (Tralapa, 2221-7202 / 2680-0392), and then take a bus from Santa Cruz to Avellanas. We suggest taking the earliest bus which leaves at 6am from San José to Santa Cruz. Once in Santa Cruz and at the same bus station, you will take a bus to Avellanas beach, which takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tamarindo airport, either with Sansa or Nature Air airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Avellanas beach, which takes about 15 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Avellanas beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica at Google Maps