Playa Grande, Costa Rica | Five Fascinating Things You Need to Know
Playa Grande, Costa Rica | Five Fascinating Things You Need to Know
Playa Grande, Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to see in Costa Rica. With a sandy white beach that lines the Pacific coast and waves that attract people from around the world, Playa Grande is a must-see if you are traveling to Costa Rica.
Located in the Guanacaste province, this beach town is a protected area. It forms part of a national park, which makes it a fantastic place to visit if you want to enjoy beautiful beaches and experience the natural beauty and wildlife that this beach town has to offer. Here are five things you need to know about Playa Grande.
1. Playa Grande, Costa Rica Is a Protected Area
Because of the vast number of animals that call the beach home, Playa Grande is a protected area. It forms a part of the Las Baulas National Park, which means that you will have to take extra care not to harm any animals or turtle eggs when walking on the beach.
Leatherback Turtles
The Playa Grande beach is well known for its vast population of leatherback turtles and has been identified as the most important nesting site for these animals.
Leatherback turtles are the biggest sea turtles in the world, growing up to seven feet in length and weighing up to 1543 pounds! If you want to see these impressive sea turtles, you can book a guided tour from Playa Grande to Tamarindo Beach.
These sea turtles come ashore at night from October to May during their nesting season to lay eggs on Playa Grande’s sandy beaches. The beach will not be accessible after 6 p.m. to allow these animals to come to shore.
Residents also take pride in safeguarding the leatherback turtles because they are an endangered species, and visitors to the area are required to do the same.
2. Playa Grande Beach Attracts Surfers from Around the World
Playa Grande is well-known for its superb surfing opportunities on the main beach, which have drawn surfers from all over the world for years.
With waters that remain warm all year round, there is no better beach in Costa Rica to ride the perfect wave.
Waves for All Kinds of Surfers
The waves at Playa Grande are suitable for surfers of all abilities. This means that everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros, is welcome to surf at this amazing beach.
Playa Grande’s waves are regular and moderate, and it is one of the most secluded beaches in the area, which makes it ideal for surfing the waves or taking surf lessons.
Novice surfers should practice their surfing during the lower tides when there are fewer surfers and the waves are moderate. The beach receives a south swell throughout the year, with larger swells more likely from March to November.
3. This Beautiful Beach on the Pacific Coast Has Much to Offer Beach Goers
If you are not a surfer, you can still enjoy Playa Grande’s beautiful beaches. With warm sandy beaches and a great climate, Playa Grande is indeed the perfect place for a day of sun and relaxation. Be sure to plan your trip during the dry season if you intend to spend most of your vacation on the beach.
The beach wide and long, and although it doesn’t provide much shade, there’s lots of room to stretch and get some sunshine or enjoy a leisurely stroll to appreciate the region’s stunning scenery.
There Are Many Beach Activities to Enjoy in Playa Grande, Costa Rica
While you’re at Playa Grande, you can also go deep-sea fishing, take a surf lesson, enjoy horseback riding, or snorkeling.
4. You Can Learn More About the Beer Brewing Process
Las Olas Brewing Company offers visitors Beer Tasting Tours. Here, you can find out more about craft brewing techniques while also getting a local perspective on living in Playa Grande.
The tour begins at the craft brewery and features some fantastic local experiences, such as a trip to the local marketplace (on certain days) or a stop at one of the local pubs.
Consider this a chance to spend an afternoon with a native who can provide you with firsthand knowledge of the beautiful beach.
Want to Get a Feel for the Town’s Local Rhythm?
Visiting the Community Night Market while touring Playa Grande is an excellent way to meet local producers and get a sense of the town’s rhythm.
Local retailers, affordable meals, great music, and family fun are all on the menu at the night market. It is held every Wednesday between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Las Olas Beach Club.
5. There Are Many Activities to Enjoy Outside the Beach at Playa Grande
Although the seas at Playa Grande are ideal for riding waves, swimming is difficult due to the strong currents and rocky seabed.
Visit Playa Ventanas
Take a short trail to get to Playa Ventanas. Here you will find a magnificent beach and a smaller bay that is more suitable for activities such as snorkeling and swimming.
Experience the Local Wildlife
Another excellent spot for bird watching and animal exploration is the Rio Matapalo estuary. There are 1,500 acres of small islands and narrow rivers in the mangrove jungle. Kayaking in this area is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Must-see Nearby Attractions
Playa Grande is located directly across the estuary that separates it from Playa Tamarindo, which is among the most popular surfing and vacation destinations on the Pacific coast.
Tamarindo is a bustling surfing town with plenty of eateries, local bars, and shops for you to explore. Playa Grande may just be the ideal place to stay when traveling to Costa Rica if you want a relaxed setting with easy access to a neighboring town and lots of activities for the whole family.
Final Thoughts
Playa Grande, Costa Rica, is a wonderful place to visit while on vacation. It features pristine white sandy beaches, which are home to leatherback turtles, a fascinating and endangered species.
As these turtles make their way onto the shore to reach their nesting grounds to lay eggs in the sand, you can watch in awe. If you’re lucky, you will see baby turtles making their way back into the ocean.
The area is also known for its wonderful surfing opportunities and is a great place to soak up some sun or enjoy snorkeling. Because there is so much to do in and around this beautiful beach town, you may find that this is the ideal place to book your stay in Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to questions you may have about Playa Grande.
1. When Is the Best Time to Visit Playa Grande?
While you can travel to Playa Grande, Costa Rica, at any time of the year, it’s better to avoid the rainy or wet season, which is from May to November, if you truly want to enjoy everything Playa Grande beach has to offer.
You should also avoid the middle of the dry season, which occurs between December and April. There will be too much rainfall to have enough time at the beach during the peak of the rainy season, while the middle of the dry season attracts hordes of people, which prompts exorbitant prices.
If seeing sea turtles is your major reason for visiting Playa Grande, planning your trip during the turtle season is essential, which occurs from October to May.
2. How Do I Get to Playa Grande?
Playa Grande is located north of Playa Tamarindo and is one hour away from Liberia Airport. When you arrive in Costa Rica, you will likely arrive at San Jose International Airport. You can take a flight to Liberia Airport and travel to Playa Grande by car, bus, or boat.
Traveling by Car
If you are traveling by car, you will need to follow the directions below to get to this beach town, which is roughly 42 miles away from the airport.
Keep in mind that the terrain does get rough, so you might want to hire a four-wheel-drive vehicle in order to get there.
Turn left as you exit Liberia Airport and follow the route to Belen, where you’ll have to make a right before the gas station. This road will lead you 2.5 miles to a junction, where you will make a left turn.
You’ll need to stay on this route for a while after passing through Huacas. Continue until you reach Matapalo.
When you pass the sports field, turn left. After that, you should travel along this route until you arrive at Playa Grande.
Traveling by Bus
Buses are also available daily. If you choose to travel by bus, you will need to travel to Tamarindo and take a taxi to get to Playa Grande.
Traveling by Boat
Another way to get there is by taking a taxi boat that will take you from Tamarindo to Playa Grande. Travel to the north end of the beach in Tamarindo, and you will see the boats a few miles before the Automercado.
You could either take a short trip to the opposite side of the estuary to get to Playa Grande or take a longer trip along the river, and you will end up outside Hotel Bula Bula.
3. Where Should I Stay When Visiting Playa Grande?
Grateful Hotel, Ripjack Inn, Sol y Luna Lodge, and Flor y Bambu Glamping are some of the finest surf lodges and hotels in Playa Grande.
Pipe House, which includes rooms fashioned from recycled concrete pipes, is an unusual yet unique place to stay when visiting this area.
On Sundays, the Grateful Hotel hosts live music, making it a fun place to visit for some partying and amusement.
In addition, there are several vacation rental properties in Playa Grande that you can use if you are traveling with your family or a large group.
If you’re traveling with a large party or family, Booking.com or Airbnb are good places to find accommodation.
Consider areas such as Las Ventanas de Playa Grande, Palm Beach Estates, and Casa Tres Cocos or Naranja, which is on the way to Playa Ventanas.
4. Can I Walk from Tamarindo Beach to Playa Grande?
Yes, you can walk from Tamarindo to Playa Grande. However, this 20- to 30-minute walk involves crossing an estuary, which can be particularly dangerous during high tide. Visitors are advised not to attempt crossing the estuary during these times.
It is better to take the 30-minute drive from Tamarindo to Playa Grande unless it is low tide and you are confident that you can cross the estuary safely. Alternatively, small boats will take you to the other side of the estuary for a small fee.
5. What Are the Best Places to Enjoy a Meal in Playa Grande, Costa Rica?
The best eateries in Playa Grande are:
- Cafe Mar Azul
- Pots n Bowls
- Kike’s Place
- Cafe de Pueblo
- The Great Waltini’s
- El Huerto Pizzeria.
There is also a great restaurant at RipJack Inn that you can try. Suppose you are looking for a great barbeque. In that case, you should definitely give Pinto Quemado a try.
Brothers of Ale in Huacas is a must-visit if you enjoy artisan beer. It also has a restaurant, so you can enjoy a meal with your beer. We highly recommend giving a kiwi beer if you visit Brothers of Ale!
Vegans can find a great place to eat in the area called Pure Vegan. This establishment serves strictly vegan food and is the only vegan restaurant in this region. Here you can enjoy many Asian and Mexican dishes, including noodles, curries, and burritos.
