North Pacific Coast

Sunny days, awesome surf and stunning beaches are three ways that best describe the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Entirely encompassed by Guanacaste province, this part of the country is the most visited, yet it is also one of the least populated parts of Costa Rica.

Among the best and most easily accessible diving sites in the country, the North Pacific Coast has an abundance of marine life, especially around the Isla Santa Catalina area, Playas del Coco and Playa Ocotal.

Tamarindo

Today, areas like Tamarindo are also becoming increasingly popular and little fishing villages are exploding all over the place, with more and more foreigners wanting to move here to find a piece of paradise.

The beaches in the North Pacific Coast are some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire country.

They are vast and always sunny, with endless coves and pristine shorelines just a short walk away from one another.

Some of these areas are quickly being developed with luxury resorts, while others are still small fishing villages just waiting to be discovered.

Papagayo Gulf

This part of the country is also home to the luxurious Papagayo Gulf, which is being developed as an ultra modern resort town.

Housing the most expensive hotel in the country, the Four Seasons, this area is geared towards the traveler who wants the very best.

Known for its amazing beaches and unparalleled surf the North Pacific Coast has quite a bit to offer.

Aside from sun bathing on the beautiful beaches of the northern coast, water sports are one of the major attractions here, with some excellent surf spots.

Many surfers from all over the globe frequent this area looking to find the perfect point, reef or beach break. There are countless surf breaks along the north shore and if you are lucky, you can find your own break and take in the endless beauty that both the ocean and beach have to offer.

Map of North Pacific Coast

Click to enlarge map - North Pacific Coast Map

Beautiful Beaches & Tropical Dry Forests

Compared to other parts of Costa Rica, the climate along the North Pacific Coast is typically hot and dry.

Home to vast expanses of tropical dry forests that often line the beaches, this area plays host to an array of animals including many species of sea birds and monkeys.

North of Tamarindo is the Marino las Baulas National Park, where every year hundreds of leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects to emerge from this region has been the Guanacaste cowboy.

With this area nicknamed the “Wild West” of Costa Rica, in the recent years many cattle ranches have sprung up around the place.