In Guanacaste, you’ll find there’s no shortage of stunning places to explore. When traveling to Costa Rica, you won’t want to miss out on hiking to one of the top Guanacaste waterfalls or relaxing on one of the area’s best beaches. To help you plan your next stay in one of our vacation rentals, keep reading as we share our top picks for the most spectacular waterfalls and best beaches in Guanacaste to visit.
1. Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
Located near Bagaces in Guanacaste, you’ll find the Llanos de Cortez waterfall. It involves a short out and back trail to reach the waterfall, which is just 0.3 kilometers in length. The area is ideal for hiking and nature trips, and you can take dogs on leashes here as well. It’s only a short thirty-minute drive from the Liberia International Airport, so it’s convenient for anyone staying in one of our rental properties in the local area.
Llanos de Cortez waterfall is one of the most beautiful Guanacaste waterfalls, and it offers visitors a nice pool at the base for swimming or paddling. There’s also a sandy area where you can relax, and there are usually lifeguards present here as well. While you’re here, take a walk to the river to see some of the local wildlife, such as lizards, fish, and frogs. Parking here is free with admission, so it’s a great spot to visit if you’ve hired a rental car for your Costa Rica trip.
2. Tamarindo Beach
One of the best beaches in Guanacaste is without a doubt Tamarindo Beach. The local area is one of our favorite places to stay, and it’s packed with great restaurants and shops for you to explore. It’s also the ideal spot for anyone who wants to enjoy some of the local nightlife on their trip. However, the main reason that people come to Tamarindo Beach is its fantastic surfing beaches.
Tamarindo Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag Award for many years, showcasing how clean and tidy the beach is kept for visitors to the local area. It does get a little more crowded here in the afternoon, so we recommend enjoying a swim here first thing in the morning. There isn’t that much shade here, so be careful if you aren’t used to sitting outdoors all day long when you first start your vacation.
3. Samara Beach
The bay at Samara Beach is about 4 kilometers long and offers a white sand beach and gentle waves. It’s one of the best beaches in Guanacaste and is known for being a safe beach for families. In the distance, you’ll see Chora Island, which is a great location for diving and snorkeling. It’s another Blue Flag Award beach in the area and is committed to protecting the local environment. You’ll find there are plenty of great water activities to enjoy during a day here, including surfing, fishing, and diving.
4. Las Chorreras and La Oropéndola Waterfalls
These sister waterfalls are located within Hacienda Guachipelin, which is found just outside of Rincón de la Vieja National Park. You’ll be able to enjoy a great day in nature at these Guanacaste waterfalls, which involve just a short walk to reach them both. We recommend beginning your day with Las Chorreras, which takes about 20 minutes to reach the hotel. It has a refreshing pool for a hot day and is surrounded by large rocks.
After visiting the first of the two waterfalls, take the 45-minute trail to La Oropéndola Waterfall. This has a stunning turquoise pool and is ideal for swimming and taking some great Instagram photos. You’ll travel through the tropical dry forest to reach this waterfall within the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, but it’s well worth the effort when you get to the waterfall in the end.
5. Rio Celeste Waterfall
No list of attractions in Guanacaste is complete without mentioning the Rio Celeste waterfall. It’s named after the river that flows into it and is well known for its bright blue color. You’ll find the Rio Celeste waterfall located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, and it will take you about an hour to reach the waterfall after entering the park. The best thing about this day out is the wildlife you’ll see on the way to one of the best Guanacaste waterfalls. Keep your eyes open for monkeys, butterflies, and frogs. While swimming isn’t allowed at the base of the waterfall, make sure you enjoy a dip in the hot springs. The best time to visit here is between December and April, as the blue water doesn’t always look so vibrant in the rainy season.
6. Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach is home to many of our luxury vacation rentals, and it’s located near the popular town of Conchal. It’s another fantastic white sand beach and is ideal for visitors who are looking for a luxury vacation. There are some great condos in this area, which benefit from being only minutes away from the beach. It has stunning clear blue water, making it a great option for families traveling with children. The Playa Flamingo area also offers many secluded beaches, which are ideal for couples looking to escape it all on vacation. You’ll find there’s no shortage of things to do in this area, including water sports and great restaurants. We think that you could easily spend your whole vacation here at Flamingo Beach, which is why it’s one of the best beaches in Guanacaste.
7. Playas del Coco
If you are looking for somewhere which is popular with the locals, head to Playas del Coco. It gets pretty busy here at the weekends and holidays, as it’s one of the most popular beach towns with residents. For this reason, it’s a great option for families, and it offers everything you might need for a great day out. There’s a park for families to enjoy a picnic lunch, and kids will appreciate the children’s playground here.
One of the things that families love about Playas del Coco is that the waves are usually quite gentle, making it safe for kids and teens to swim. The beach is quite long here, so you won’t struggle to find a spot to put down your towels or chairs, even on the most crowded days. We always recommend visiting a few different beaches on a Costa Rica trip, and this is another great one to add to your next family vacation.
There’s no shortage of Guanacaste waterfalls and beaches to visit on your next stay in the region. Many of our rental villas are located within minutes of the best beaches in Guanacaste, which is why families return here year after year for their vacations. We highly recommend staying in this region on your next trip, as there’s so much to see and do for visitors of all ages. If you are looking for inspiration for your upcoming trip to Guanacaste in Costa Rica, take a look through our wide selection of vacation rentals. Our team at Tropical Homes of Costa Rica will be happy to discuss any questions you might have and help you to plan your next Costa Rica vacation.