If you are reading this, you are most likely planning a trip to Guanacaste or maybe you are already there! Would you like a list of 5 Guanacaste beaches that will help you relax even more? Let’s do it!

Just before starting with the list, bear in mind that this top 5 was based on beaches to relax surrounded mostly by nature.

Top 5 Guanacaste Beaches:

Playa Calzón de Pobre

• Location: Playa Calzón de Pobre Location
• Nearby beaches: Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panamá, Playa Ocotal.
• Access: Preferable SUV/CUV (sedan cars could reach the parking lot).
• Parking lot: Yes
• Hidden Gem Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This lovely beach has become more and more known in the last couple of years. This beach is a perfect option for people around Playa del Coco, Playa Hermosa, or around the Bahía Culebra region. You’ll have to deviate from route 159, drive for a couple of minutes before you reach the parking lot. From there, you’ll have to walk downhill for 10 minutes, and you’ll get to the fantastic beach.

There are no facilities around at the beach, so you should carry with you everything you need. Some trees give nice shadows, and sometimes local people are selling “granizados” (local snowcones) and renting jet skis. This beach offers one of the best crystal clear waters on a beach I’ve ever seen in Costa Rica. Also, this beach is very small so even though it isn’t as famous as others, consider getting there early to get a nice spot.

Playa Conchal

• Location: Playa Conchal Location
• Nearby beaches:
• Playa Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande, Playa Brasilito, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Potrero.
• Access: Good
• Parking: Yes (in Brasilito and in Puerto Viejo)
• Hidden Gem Score: ⭐️⭐️

This beach is a little bit more known by everyone that visits Costa Rica. The crystal clear water and the shells on the shore are the main attraction of this beach. There are three main ways to reach this beach. One is through the Westin Conchal by Marriott, a vast all-inclusive hotel (check the review here: Westin Conchal).

The second option is through Brasilito beach. Just leave your car in the town center of Brasilito, get to Brasilito beach and walk south until you see the path to Conchal. The third option is through Puerto Viejo beach. This beach is almost the same as Conchal. It’s just divided by a small estuary (during the dry season, the estuary does not exist). 

Like Playa Calzón de Pobre, there are no facilities nearby. I recommend reaching the beach through Puerto Viejo beach. This beach is a lot better than Brasilito, and the parking lot is also a lot closer to the beach than Brasilito. 

Playa Rajada, Guanacaste

Playa Rajada and Rajadita

• Location: Playa Rajada Location
• Nearby beaches: Playa el Jobo (Dreams las Mareas), Playa Junquillal, Playa Puerto Soley.
• Access: Good
• Parking: Yes
• Hidden Gem Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went to this beach for the first time recently, and I already want to go back! Usually, there are not too many people on this beach since it’s not close to famous beaches like Samara or Tamarindo. This beach is the north part of Guanacaste, really close to the border with Nicaragua. 

This beach is excellent for spending the entire day there, making a BBQ, and having fun with friends and family. Just bear in mind that there are no facilities around like the others, so make sure to take everything you need with you before getting there. 

There are two ways to get to this beach: through La Cruz, and the other is through some secondary roads. I recommend taking the route through La Cruz because it’s in better condition and because you will see a fantastic viewpoint. The Mirador de la Cruz offers a great panoramic view of Salinas Bay that it’s worth your time!

Besides Playa Rajada, right next to the beach, you’ll see a smaller beach. This beach is named Playa Rajadita. These two beaches are divided by a mountain, but the access from Rajada to Rajadita is straightforward. If you are feeling adventurous, you can hike the mountain that separates the two beaches. There is a trail that you could follow. Just be careful of the wilderness of the area. 

Playa Zapotillal (Minas)

• Location: Playa Minas Location
• Nearby beaches: Conchal, Grande, Brasilito, Tamarindo, Flamingo.
• Access: Preferable SUV/CUV (sedan cars could reach the parking lot).
• Parking: Yes
• Hidden Gem Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This beach (photo on the cover of this article) is another true gem! This beach is right next to Conchal Beach and also offers crystal clear water and white sand beach. This beach also has a trail right next to the beach that takes you to Punta Sabana, a place where you can have a panoramic view of Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo.

The access to this beach is through a dirt road, and like the others, there are no facilities nearby, making this place another magical beach to relax.

Playa Flamingo

• Location: Playa Flamingo Location
• Nearby beaches: Playa Conchal, Playa Grande, Playa Brasilito, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Potrero.
• Access: Great
• Parking: Side of the road
• Hidden Gem Score: ⭐️⭐️

Like Conchal, Playa Flamingo is also well known, but even though it’s a lovely beach to relax. There are supermarkets nearby if you need something, and usually, there are guys that rent awnings and portable tents/shelters with chairs. If you are planning to spend the entire day there, it’s a good investment. The cost for the whole service is around 10,000 colones ($16).