Playa Negra in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste on the Northwest Pacific Coast probably isn’t on your radar. It feels worlds away from the popular, developed surf towns of Tamarindo and Jaco. With barreling waves, beautiful tide pools for swimming, and a relaxed community atmosphere, Playa Negra is Costa Rica’s hidden gem.

You should go there now.

Vagablonding

Location

Playa Negra is less than a two-hour drive from the Liberia International airport, making it a convenient first stop after landing in the country. It’s also just a half hour drive away from the world famous waves in Tamarindo. The town and surrounding area can be accessed only by small dirt roads, making a 4-wheel drive vehicle necessary. The road can be rough and there are several river crossings. However this difficult path is exactly what keeps out most of the tourists and development.

To reach the capital of San Jose, visitors and residents can fly from Tamarindo in under an hour or drive around four to five hours depending on weather. Public buses leave from the town of Santa Cruz, just a few miles away from Playa Negra.

Magalie L’Abbé

Activities

Most famous for its great surfing, there is plenty to do in Playa Negra. The town has two popular surf breaks and several more nearby that you can drive or take a boat to. A break exists for any surf level and beginners can take lessons right in front of Playa Negra. Swimming on the beach is possible because of tide pools, making it a great hangout beach for families. There are also horseback riding tours down the beautiful beach, fishing trips in small boats, body boarding, mountain biking in the gorgeous jungle, canopy tours, and yoga classes; just like at other popular spots in Costa Rica.

For even more adventure the Ostional National Wildlife refuge, a nesting site for the Olive Ridley sea turtle, is less than thirty miles away. During the months of July through December hundreds of turtles run from the beach out into the sea under the full moon, a stunning natural phenomenon.

Drew Domkus

Why You Should Go to Playa Negra Now

First Class International Dining

Playa Negra may be a small town, but the quality of restaurants serving international dishes puts it on par with much larger cities for dining.  From wood fired pizza to Tex-Mex to French pastries, this town seems to have it all. Café Playa Negra has the best Peruvian food in Costa Rica serving ceviche patacones, passionfruit cheesecake, and of course Pisco Sours. A former five star restaurant chef from the U.S. has opened Villa Deevena with elegant dishes and an extensive wine list. There are also plenty of local Costa Rica restaurants that add some fusion and flair to their cuisine.

Excellent Surf Opportunities

Tamarindo may be famous for its consistent barreling waves, but Playa Negra has excellent surfing with less crowds and development. The main peak in Playa Negra is considered the best reef break in all of Costa Rica and has a fast, long right that tends to get quite hollow with plenty of green room. This area is unpolluted, which means the ocean remains crystal clear and full of animals. While surfing you can simply look down into the water and see parrotfish, sea turtles, and colorful reef fish; a truly magical experience.

Just a five minute drive away is famous Playa Avellanas which caters to many surfing abilities. Beginners and intermediates can surf the soft rights and lefts near the shore with a long board. Surf camps and surf instructors generally take students here. More advanced surfers can walk down to the Avellanas Rivermouth to surf an A-frame break with long barrels on both sides. Just north is Little Hawaii with a powerful Hawaiian-style right hand break. Finally, Playa Negra is close enough to Tamarindo to hit all of the famous spots including Witches Rock, with long lefts and rights that are easy to surf, and Ollie’s Point, with fast hollow waves that break on a rocky floor.

The Perfect Place to Get Away

Kim F

This small, sleepy town is home to just a few hundred residents, making it a peaceful place to hang out and relax. The long stretches of white and black sand beach are great for laying in the sun and reading a book or taking long walks. Tide pools with still water make little swimming pools for anyone looking to relax, especially kids, away from the waves. Perhaps one of the most relaxing things you can do is simply lay in a hammock with a cold beer and watch the sunset and Playa Negra is the perfect place to do just that.

Remote Yet Accessible

Playa Negra may feel like a quiet haven far away from it all, but it remains in close proximity to the development further up the coast. Just around the corner are the luxury resorts, variety of restaurants, and thumping night clubs in Tamarindo. This makes Playa Negra the perfect place to live out your deserted beach fantasies without missing out on any of the first world luxuries.

Map of Playa Negra, Costa Rica

Play Negra Fast Facts

• Population: A few hundred residents
• Typical temperature: Average temperature is 85 degrees
• Nearest airport with U.S. flights: Liberia International Airport
• Nearest U.S. consulate: San Jose, Costa Rica