A guide to the top nearby beaches, including what makes each one unique and tips for making the most of your visit.
El Mangroove Hotel is surrounded by some of the best beaches in the world. If you’re making the trip to Costa Rica, there are a few beaches you have to check out while you’re there. Whether you’re looking for a beach buzzing with people and activities to do, or if you’d rather a quieter, more secluded spot, there’s a beach for every traveler on this list.
El Mangroove
El Mangroove Hotel is located in beautiful Costa Rica, only 20 minutes away from Liberia International Airport and 15 minutes away from the vibrant town of El Coco. There is so much to explore around El Mangroove; from rafting and scuba diving, to sailing and snorkeling, you’ll never run out of things to do!
One of the best things about El Mangroove’s location is how close it is to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world—as close as a two minute walk away! With this guide, we’ll help you plan out which beaches to check out first and let you know what makes each beach so unique.
Beautiful Beaches to Visit
Playa Panama
Playa Panama stretches out right in front of El Mangroove. This dark sand beach is one of the best beaches for families since there aren’t many waves and there are plenty of trees to provide shade for little ones. Playa Panama’s calm waters also make it the perfect spot to go snorkeling or kayaking. Picture this: spending your day floating across the water while you enjoy the warmth of the sun. Anything you need regarding aquatic activities Azul water concierge at El Mangroove can help. They are ready to assist you with rental equipment, tours, and tips to make the best of your day in the water.
Playa Hermosa
Playa Hermosa, which translates to “Beautiful Beach”, is aptly named and offers soft, salt and pepper-colored sand along calm, turquoise waters. Playa Hermosa is another great beach for swimming or visiting with your family because of its clean, calm waters.
What makes Playa Hermosa so unique is that it is one of the 29 beaches that are part of the Blue Flag Ecology Program. The Blue Flag is designated by the government to show which beaches in the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica are clean, accessible, safe, and sustainable. It is a great system for tourists and locals to figure out which beach they want to spend their time at and it also encourages other communities to implement more sustainable practices.
Playa del Coco
As the largest village in Guanacaste, Playa del Coco is the place to be if you’re looking to meet new people and explore an exciting new place. The area is filled with markets, shops, casinos, and restaurants to enjoy. Get lost for an afternoon browsing in local shops and eating delicious food.
The beach itself has tour operators that offer horseback riding, hiking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sport fishing to keep you active under the sun. You can also access a few of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica from Playa del Coco like Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point.
Playa Ocotal
If you’re looking for a quieter, more intimate beach, Playa Ocotal is the perfect spot for you. Its stunning black sand makes it stand out as a must-see while you’re in Costa Rica. The surrounding town of Ocotal is very small, dotted with private homes and small hotels. The bustling town of Playa del Coco is about 4 minutes away.
Playa Ocotal has trees strewn along its coastline to provide shade for those more sensitive to the sun. The trees also make Playa Ocotal the perfect sunbathing beach since the shade offers an option to cool down. The seclusion of Playa Ocotal makes it one of the best beaches for couples to enjoy an afternoon to themselves or to watch a romantic sunset.
Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica, due to its stunning white sand and clear blue water. In some light, the sand has a pinkish hue, which is where it gets its name from. The beach backs onto a large mangrove forest which protects the beach from development.
Playa Flamingo is conveniently located near a few different restaurants, a grocery store, and a plethora of activities to entertain you! Choose from sportfishing, jet skiing, bird watching, or a catamaran cruise along the coast of Guanacaste.
Make sure to take full advantage of the beautiful beaches while you’re in Costa Rica. Explore Playa Panama to experience a dark sand beach or Playa del Coco for a lively time full of beachy activities!
Thanks so much for reading! If you found this article helpful, feel free to leave a comment or share your tips for visiting nearby beaches.