Travels to North Pacific
Having your own set of wheels is the way to go when exploring the beaches of Guanacaste. Although public buses run between the seaside locales, the freedom to go at your own pace and stop when the notion strikes is a key factor to a good road trip.
Today I was continuing north to the beaches of Conchal and Brasilito. Surfing would no longer be the prevailing sport, as the stretch of coastline between Playas Grande and Flamingo is too rocky and shallow for decent swells.
On the way, I stopped at an antique store where I …
Location: Gold Coast, North Pacific, Playa Brasilito, Playa Conchal »
Activities: Pacific Beaches, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, Sunsets »
I savored the comfort of my king-sized bed and tiled bath, rarities in most mid-range Costa Rican hotels. A throng of white-throated magpie-jays, locally known as urracas provided entertainment during breakfast on the veranda. Perched in almond tree branches, they watched and waited as I finished my toast, then swooped down to devour the remaining crumbs.
The helpful staff at Hotel Las Tortugas arranged a turtle tour for me that evening. My tour would be guided by park rangers from Las Baulas Marine Park, which encompasses the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas and Langosta, and …
Location: Gold Coast, North Pacific, Playa Grande »
Activities: National Parks & Reserves, Turtle Tours »
Just a few miles north of Tamarindo lies Playa Grande, another Gold Coast favorite among surfers. Flanked by the saltwater estuary, the beach is a 25-minute roundabout drive from Tamarindo. I barreled down the road following signs to my next destination, my car a roving cloud of brown Guanacaste dust.
As I neared the beach, passing a tiny supermarket and few scattered hotels, I realized that Playa Grande was the complete antithesis of Tamarindo. Off the main road were a soda and restaurant, a couple of surf shops and a handful of houses under construction. The …
Location: Gold Coast, North Pacific, Playa Grande »
Activities: Sunsets, Surfing »
