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

Playa Grande is the wide, uncrowded surf beach across the estuary from Tamarindo and part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the most important leatherback turtle nesting sites in the Pacific. The village is low-key, with a few hotels, surf camps and restaurants scattered under the trees.

It is Tamarindo's calmer twin: same waves, no crowds, and Tamarindo's restaurants a two-minute boat ride away.

Despite being visible from Tamarindo, Playa Grande is reached by road around the estuary: about 1 hour 10 minutes from Liberia Airport via Belén, Huacas and Matapalo, paved apart from a few village streets. From Tamarindo by car it is 30 minutes, or two minutes by estuary boat on foot. Your driver takes you to your hotel or house door.

• Turtle-nesting tours run October to March at night with certified guides; book through your hotel.
• Beach lights are restricted at night to protect the turtles; bring a red-light headlamp.
• The surf here is powerful; beginners should stick to the south end near the estuary.
• Groceries are basic in the village; the big supermarkets are in Huacas and Tamarindo.