Walking on the slightly elevated strip of sand, we were deciding on which side to explore first. The small slopes of the sand strip on either side led to two white sand beaches, which together form the picturesque Playa San Juanillo.
The soft sandy beaches contrasted by the dark grey rocks and the lush greenery lining the clear waters of the crescent shaped shoreline create for an amazing beach day ambience.
In this post, we share the details about how you can plan your visit to this beautiful beach that even not many of our local friends seem to know of.
San Juanillo: The Town
San Juanillo is a small coastal village that does not fall on the popular tourist trails of Costa Rica. So, if you stay in San Juanillo town, you will get the chance for unadulterated connections with the local community.
Although it could just be another fishing village in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, San Juanillo’s claim to fame is its spectacular beach.
San Juanillo: The Beach
The rustic dirt road in the town leads to Playa San Juanillo, an idyllic beach from the pages of a book.
Beach Activities
There are no organized activities or tours at this beach. You can enjoy here exactly the way that suits your mood for the day.
If you feel like just chilling, hang a hammock against the trees or lay a beach blanket on the sand, grab a book and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves. Bring a picnic lunch to make it more fun (but remember to leave no trash on the beach).
If you are looking for more active time at San Juanillo beach, take a swim in the ocean. The water is warm and clear for a pleasant swim, but you need to be careful of the rocks. You can also hike up to the top of the rocks, from where you will get an elevated view of the strip of sand that separates the two crescent shaped beaches.
When you are in the area, take a look at the turtle arribada (arrival) announcements. Playa Ostional is where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come to lay their eggs. You can go on a guided tour to witness this wonderful phenomenon in Ostional. The tour office in Ostional lies about 8 km (5 miles) to the south of Playa San Juanillo. You can read this post to plan your Ostional turtle nesting tour or check out our YouTube video for our experience of the tour.
Beach Facilities
- Parking: There is no guarded parking area at Playa San Juanillo. You can park right next to the beach. Remember to lock the car and not leave any valuables. The other option is to park in the town and then walk to the beach. If you are staying in San Juanillo town, it is easier to leave the car at your hotel/hostel’s parking lot and then walk to the beach.
- Restrooms: The best option is to grab a quick bite in town and use the restaurant’s restroom.
- Restaurants: There are no restaurants on the beach but the town is only a short walk away. You will find small eateries in town for meals.
How to Reach Playa san Juanillo
Playa San Juanillo is 263 km (163 miles) from San Jose airport and 97 km (63 miles) from Liberia airport. From Liberia, the drive can take about 2 hours whereas from San Jose, it is about 4.5 hours drive.
From either direction, San Jose or Liberia, you need to drive till Santa Cruz and then take Ruta 160 and continue until you reach San Juanillo town. Take the right and enter town and then drive for another couple of minutes to reach the beach, Playa San Juanillo. From Liberia, there are couple of other alternative similar ways. You can choose the one that is best according to the traffic conditions at the time of your drive.
It is important to note that the last stretch of the road is filled with really bad potholes that make the journey uncomfortable. But the beauty of Playa San Juanillo is worth the pain!
You can find Playa San Juanillo on Google Maps here.
Where to stay in San Juanillo
- Cocobolo Beach Boutique Hotel: With a great location of just by the San Juanillo beach, this boutique hotel offers beautifully appointed air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and ocean views. Click here to check availability and tariff.
- Treetops B&B Inn: Beachfront property with rooms featuring terrace or balcony. Although the rooms are rustic, onsite free parking, free WiFi, hot shower and direct access to the beach make this place a convenient choice for stay. Check prices and availability here.
- Paraíso Terrenal: It is an independent two-bedroom house with fully fitted kitchen and private swimming pool. Located on the main street of the town, this is a local house and not a full-service hotel. Check availability and tariff here.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica is blessed with several gorgeous beaches, both on the Pacific coast and on the Caribbean coast. But despite the steep competition, I would say Playa San Juanillo is one of the prettiest beaches of Costa Rica!
Even if staying in San Juanillo is not part of your original Costa Rica itinerary, if you are visiting Nosara or Ostional, you can add a little side trip to this beautiful Playa San Juanillo. You will not be disappointed.
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