Barceló Langosta Beach
Tamarindo
Places to see
Great surf, beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlife are some of the attractions of this growing resort town. Tamarindo beach is part of a bay and is flanked by Playas Grande and Langosta, both protected nesting sites for the giant leatherback sea turtle.
Santa Cruz - A folk city famed for its colorful festivals, where delicious gastronomic specialties are served and many regional dances are performed.
Guaitil - This tiny village has retained the tradition of crafting various objects and ceramics in the style of the indigenous Chorotega Indians.
Guanacastle National Park - The province's geographical and atmospheric factors create the perfect environment for the proliferation of the thousands of natural species that grow in this park.
Barra Honda National Park - This park features many subterranean caverns with depths ranging from 15 to 100 meters.
Shopping
If the natural environment of Costa Rica is glorious, its craftsmanship is no less attractive. Objects fashioned from precious woods, the roots of the coffee bush, banana paper, clay and gold, and utensils made from smelted iron and other materials, are all meticulously worked by the skillful local crafts people. Reproductions of pre-Columbian art, indigenous pottery, renderings of daily life portrayed in vivid colors on banana leaves, jewelry, masks and painted wagons, are just some of the more popular articles you can buy in the country. Exceptional local produce features sugar cane creams and liquors, coffees and chocolates. The shopping center where these and other interesting souvenirs can be purchased is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Beaches
Tamarindo and Langosta
Tamarindo's steady waves and warm waters attract both novice and seasoned surfers. The broad beach curves gently around Tamarindo Bay and is bordered by Langosta beach and the Tamarindo Estuary. Visitors will find its wide shores nearly deserted in the early morning, an ideal time for a leisurely stroll. Swimmers should use caution, as strong riptides are common along certain parts of the beach. Tamarindo is brimming with surf schools, and its popular beach breaks are often crowded with beginners. Experienced locals often go for the bigger and usually less crowded waves in neighboring Playa Langosta.
Playas Negra and Avellanas
Located nine miles south of Tamarindo, these laid-back beaches are favored by surfers for their consistent waves. Avellanas' prevailing reef break, dubbed "Little Hawaii", can even be a challenge for seasoned surfers. South of Avellenas' white sand beach is Playa Negra, a darker beach dominated by a rocky coastline. Negra is famous for its reef point breaks and excellent barrels. Visitors can anticipate steady breezes and ideal surfing conditions between the months of December and April. Both beaches are relatively undeveloped and are geared towards the surfing community.
Playa Grande
Just a few miles north of Tamarindo lies Playa Grande, another Gold Coast favorite among surfers. Flanked by the Tamarindo Estuary, the beach is a 25-minute roundabout drive from Tamarindo. Playa Grande is renowned for its consistent breaks. Boarders can surf the beach break at high tide or try the Tamarindo rivermouth when it's low.
Playa Grande caters to the surfing crowd and has a few inexpensive and mid-range hotels. The town has a small supermarket and a few restaurants and hotels. Read about Guanacaste's Gold Coast Beaches.
Las Baulas Marine Park
Located on Guanacaste's Gold Coast, Las Baulas Marine Park encompasses the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas and Langosta, and includes the Tamarindo Estuary.
Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherback sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. These Jurassic reptiles, the largest of all sea turtles, can weigh upwards of 1500 pounds and measure six feet in length.
Although the beaches encompassed by Las Baulas Marine Park support over 800 nesting sea turtles annually, the leatherback remains highly endangered and at risk of extinction in the Pacific.
Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge
The saltwater jungle of the Estero Tamarindo is the heart of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Spanning 1200 acres, the mangrove estuary serves as the natural border between Tamarindo and Playa Grande. Its winding canals are home to ospreys, herons and kingfishers in addition to howler monkeys and coatimundis.
The refuge lures visitors with beautiful beaches and a variety of water activities. Guided boat tours and kayak trips are an excellent way to spot local wildlife... Read more about the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge.
Monkey Park
Located in Portegolpe, a 20 minute drive from Tamarindo, this wildlife refuge cares for many endangered species. Volunteers and staff help raise orphaned and injured monkeys and other local wildlife. The park has trails and a butterfly garden in addition to its wildlife refuge. Monkey Park offers guided tours and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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