If you are looking for an incredible adventure in a tropical paradise, look no further. Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places I have been to on my travels and one I highly recommend checking out. The country is full of wildlife, exciting excursions, beautiful beaches, glorious volcanoes, and best of all: its super affordable!
On my first visit to Costa Rica I wanted to do things right, so I turned to the internet for some guidance on where to stay. I ended up stumbling on a hidden gem in a town just north of the more popular area of Tamarindo. Playa Grande is an adorable little surf town, and the perfect getaway from the more touristy spots on the pacific side of the country. As a sucker for a unique and organic experience, I couldn't pass it up.
Playa Grande ended up being more than I could have ever hoped for and a place I plan on returning to many times. As much as I wanted to keep this little paradise all to myself, I decided it just wouldn't be fair, so I put together a travel guide for my favorite little Costa Rican getaway.
Stay:
Sugars Monkey
Sugars Monkey is a perfect sanctuary to relax in after a long day of adventures. It's a short walk to the beach and three small spots down from my favorite bar/restaurant, RipJack Inn. When I stumbled upon the listing on Airbnb, I emailed the host Enrico, and received a response within the hour. His helpfulness with all my questions confirmed that this place was exactly what I was looking for.
When you walk through the small entrance surrounded by palm fronds, you will find an incredible sanctuary of palm trees, hammocks, and an adorable little pool. There are two levels of individual rooms with patios/balconies, that look out over the pool area. Amenities include a full service bar, a pool table, an outdoor yoga/workout area, and a boutique lounge to enjoy food or drinks in. There is a surf shop in the back room that offers lessons and boards rentals on sight. They also clean your room for you every night which is a huge plus if you enjoy more of a hotel style vibe. There's been even more great updates to the place since I have visited, including their brand new website where you can now easily book your stay.
RipJack Inn
If you want a luxurious "boutique hotel style" option, RipJack Inn is the perfect place to stay. It's one of the pricier locations in Playa Grande with rooms ranging from $100-$250 a night, but it really is a tropical paradise. They offer surfing classes, yoga, and excursion sign-ups right on site along with a beautiful upstairs restaurant and bar. The pool is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a cocktail, and the beach is a short 2 minute walk through the tree line across the road. I spend a majority of my time in Playa Grande at RipJack Inn and I can tell you this is definitely the place to be if you want to socialize and hang out with the friendly locals. Keep an eye out for the cute monkeys jumping around the tree tops!
Tip: This location has been recognized by TripAdvisor, so make sure to book your stay a few weeks or months in advance!
El Huerto
If you are looking for a quiet sanctuary with a private space including your own kitchenette, El Huerto is the place to be. This place is conveniently located on the main drive into Playa Grande behind an adorable cozy pizza restaurant out front. They have a small pool indoors and wi-fi access, but keep in mind Playa Grande is a small town with very basic amenities (you may have to deal with a lack of hot water for a few days). If you are planning on leaving town for daily excursions and don't need immediate beach access (about a mile walk), this is a really affordable and convenient location to stay.
Eat/Drink:
RipJack Inn
Between the hours of 4-6 pm all specialty cocktails are half off here, so don't be afraid to take a tour through the list. Check out the frozen margaritas and refreshing muddled fruit drinks (the cucumber one is divine!). They even let you take your drinks out to the beach to walk around or watch the sunset. I can't forget to mention how fresh and delicious the food is either. The fish tacos and ceviche here are on point and the fried mac and cheese balls are a godsend for a late night snack after a full day of activities. If you stop by make sure to be friendly with the staff, they are incredible and so helpful if you want any advice on things to do in the area!
Cafe del Pueblo
If you want a break from traditional Central American cuisine, Cafe Del Pueblo is just the place. My local friend Melanie had to practically drag me here as I was sceptical about eating Italian food in Costa Rica. To my surprise I learned they hand make their own pastas and sauces, and boast a lovely outdoor seating area which we took full advantage of. The service is outstanding, the wine is plentiful, and the food is to die for.
Do:
Surfing
Playa Grande is best known for it's incredible surfing opportunities. Most of the visitors I met during my stay make multiple trips to this town every year to surf. There are a plethora of surf shops in town and most of the hotels in the area offer surfing lessons and board rentals. I took my very first surfing lessons from Frijoles Locos, a local surf shop near the entrance of town. They are highly recommended by the locals and rightfully so. The lessons are reasonably priced and the instructors are great (ask for JC)! Thanks to such clear and personalized training, I was able to surf out several waves during my first lesson!
Tip: Opt for the cheaper group lesson in the off season and you may end up with a private lesson for a fraction of the cost!
Sailing/Snorkeling
The water in the ocean off the pacific side of Costa Rica is crystal clear and perfect for snorkeling. You can rent or buy equipment to snorkel on your own, or take one of the many snorkeling tours. We signed up for a sunset sailing and snorkeling tour at RipJack Inn which departed from a beach town 30 minutes south. The oceans here are teaming with marine life, so make sure to take advantage!
Sunsets
Some of the most breathtaking sunsets can be seen right from the beach in Playa Grande. Though the beach is relatively uncrowded, it isn't rare to see the locals heading out to bask in the sheer beauty of the sky. A popular viewing spot is at the top of the big rock formation on the north side of the beach. Grab some local beers from any of the bars in town and head out to watch the day turn into brilliant shades of color before transforming into darkness. After the sunset, stay a little longer for clear views of the stars in the night sky.
Explore:
Playa Carbon
Named for its unique secluded black sand beach, Playa Carbon is a 2 mile walk north from Playa Grande. You can drive to get closer to the area, but I recommend a walk up the beach for good exercise and beautiful views. To get there by foot, head north on the beach front to the end of the neighboring beach, Playa Ventanas. At the end you will be stopped by a cliff formation and tree line. You will find a small opening in the tree line with a pathway which will lead you to the other side right onto Playa Carbon. During low tide, you can experience the tide pools in the volcanic rock area on the north side of the beach. Here you can discover sea urchins, lingering fish, and big black crabs scurrying to the safety of the ocean waters.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a bustling town just across the estuary from Playa Grande. If you are looking for unique shops, great food, and nightlife, this is the place to be. You can get here by taxi, rental car, or by boat across the estuary. Make sure to check out their farmers market every Saturday located in the town square right off the beach. There are some really cute beach front restaurants to check out, and a much bigger selection of hotels and other accommodations to choose from here as well.
Playa Flamingo
If you are interested in boat and marine life excursions in the area, look no further. Playa Flamingo is the home of one of the best bang-for-your-buck catamaran tours I have ever experienced. You can get tickets for the Panache catamaran sunset tour right from RipJack inn or on their website. A tour includes lunch or dinner, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin sightings, and of course, a beautiful sunset. Playa Flamingo is a short 30-35 minute drive south of Playa Grande, and parking is free.
So there you have it! My ultimate travel guide to Playa Grande. Did you find this guide helpful? Do you have any favorite spots in Costa Rica? Share in the comments below!
