Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → Flamingo (Guanacaste)

Playa Flamingo is a curve of pale sand between two headlands, with a modern marina, some of Guanacaste's best sport fishing and catamaran sunset sails leaving daily. The beach is calmer than Tamarindo, the hillside villas have wide Pacific views, and Brasilito, Potrero and Conchal are all within a ten-minute drive.

It is the choice for travellers who want a quieter base with boats, snorkelling and easy access to Reserva Conchal and Las Catalinas.

From Liberia Airport the drive is about 1 hour along Route 21 through Belén and Huacas, then north past Brasilito. Tamarindo is 25 minutes away, Playas del Coco about 50 minutes, and the road is paved to the marina. Villa addresses on the hill can be tricky for GPS; send your rental's name or coordinates when booking and the driver will bring you to the gate.

• Morning departures are best for fishing and diving trips; the wind picks up after lunch.
• Brasilito, five minutes south, has the local sodas for inexpensive lunches.
• The catamaran sunset sails leave from the beach or marina around 2 pm and include snorkelling.
• Flamingo's beach is swimmable most days; Potrero is even calmer for small children.