Playa Langosta, Guanacaste

Sitting just south of Tamarindo, the small beachside community of Playa Langosta is an exotic locale with excellent surfing conditions.

The sprawling sandy beach at Playa Langosta is much quieter than its neighbor, and is one of the best places in this region to let your hair down and relax.

Although it tends to get crowded during high season, Playa Langosta is commonly less crowded than Tamarindo and it sits right next to Marino Las Baulas National Park.

Hitting the Waves

One of the most common reasons for visiting Playa Langosta is its unbelievable surf.

At the southern end of the sandy shoreline, the mouth of an estuary has an excellent surf break that often attracts surfers who prefer to hit the waves in a low-key, quiet area.

The river mouth waves are short and fast, and are ideal for experienced surfers. Boasting both right and left breaks, Playa Langosta's waves typically peak at the same place, but surfers should still keep an eye out for rocks and coral here. Most of the coral head is exposed during low tide and sits just below the surface during high tide.

Surfers will love coming to this area, as there are several other beaches in the region that feature great conditions.

Tamarindo, Playa Negra, Playa Grande and El Estero are all within arm's reach, so to speak.

Playa Grande has the most consistent breaks in the region and is popular for its surf spot called "La Casita."

Playa Negra is another great spot to catch a wave, but is only recommended for expert riders as the break is very fast. You can check out our Surfers Guide to see all of the best surfing breaks in Costa Rica.

Playa Langosta

Where to Stay

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Marino Las Baulas National Park

Created in 1990 in effort to save the leatherback turtles that nest along the shores of Playa Grande, Marino Las Baulas is one of the most biodiverse parks in the region.

Featuring mangrove wetlands along the coast, lush forest and stunning white-sand beaches, Marino Las Baulas is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. The park spans 1,100 acres of mangrove and 54,000 acres of forest. Bird watching is very popular in this park, as there are roughly 174 species of birds that reside here.

However, the face of Marino Las Baulas is a species that doesn't technically live here. Each year, leatherback turtles, the largest turtle in the world, make their way to the shorelines to lay their eggs from October to May.

These massive creatures can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, but they are quite endangered. Because of this, the beaches are closed at night, but travelers can watch the turtles with the help of a tour guide.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Making the Trek

Located just 2.5 kilometers south from Tamarindo, Playa Langosta is easily reachable from the Tamarindo's local airport.

Travelers landing at Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia can be in Playa Langosta in about an hour, as it is about 70 kilometers away. Those renting a car will be able to reach Playa Langosta via Route 21 and 155.

Those planning on landing in San Jose will likely want to take a domestic flight to Tamarindo airport, as San Jose is roughly 263 kilometers away.

Surfers will love coming to the small town of Playa Langosta, but it's not necessary to catch some waves to enjoy a stay here. Anyone seeking a getaway to a beach town with a small population of tourists should make it a point to come to Playa Langosta.