Papagayo Peninsula Beaches
One of the best things about Nuevo Arenal is its proximity to the amazing beaches of Guanacaste. This time, we’ll focus on a few spots on the Papagayo Peninsula. People come from all over the world and pay hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars for a night close to these shores, but all you have to do is take a short drive!
Less than 2.5 hours away from Nuevo Arenal, on the Papagayo Peninsula, lie some of the most gorgeous beaches you’ll ever see. We’ll start with Playa Nacascolo, Blanca, Virador and Prieta. You cannot go to any of these directly with your car, as access is regulated by a resort complex, which houses some of Costa Rica’s most luxurious properties such as the Four Seasons, or the Andaz Papagayo Resort. When you enter, you will need to take a roundabout and exit where it says “Visitantes Playas”. You’ll find a secure parking lot where you can leave your car, and a free shuttle is there to take you to the entrance of the beach of your choice from 8 am to 5 pm!
All of the beaches here have restrooms, changing rooms and showers so you can rinse off at the entrance. You’ll also find plenty of trash cans and recycling bins along the beaches.
Playa Nacascolo
The most popular beach on this part of the Papagayo Peninsula, and for good reason! It’s accessible via a short, flat walk on a well-maintained wooden path. Some coatis will probably join you on the trail, and in just a couple of minutes, you’ll be on a pristine beach with crystal-clear, completely still waters. A good portion of the sand is made up of tiny little shells, and when the tide rises, the scenery transforms as the water floods the mangroves that are all around. A perfect place for all ages!
Playa Blanca, Papagayo Peninsula
This one requires more of a workout to get to, but if you’re up for it, it’s absolutely worth it! You’ll have to go down over 500 steps through the dry forest. Again, everything is beautifully constructed and maintained, and the views are great. We saw lots howler monkeys hanging out in the trees on our way down – a good excuse to take a break and watch them for a while.
The beach is simply out of this world, with light sands and transparent waters with soft waves. The best thing about it being more out of the way is that you’ll probably be some of the only people there! Make sure to bring your snorkeling gear of you have it, as this is one of the rare places in the country where it’s decentish from the shore.
**There are 2 other Playa Blancas in Puntarenas: one close to Jacó, in the Central Pacific, and the other one on the Osa Peninsula, at the very south of the country.
Playa Virador
Playa Virador is another one that you’ll have to work for! There are over 600 steps to hike down to this beach too, and it is just as breathtaking as Nacascolo and Playa Blanca. The only drawback we found with this one is that there were more people on it than on Playa Blanca, as it looked like it is the main beach for the resorts around here. It’s still a fantastic place to spend the day, and you can easily find a nice spot in the shade.
We still need to visit Playa Prieta, which is also down about 600 steps.
Stay tuned!
How to get there
It will only take you about 2.5 hours to get to the amazing beaches on the Papagayo Peninsula from Nuevo Arenal. The map below shows a shortcut on an unpaved, but relatively well-maintained road. It’s incredibly scenic, with gorgeous views of the lake, and wind turbines surrounding you! Plus, you save about 30 minutes by skipping Tilarán.
Lodging in the Papagayo Area
The Papagayo area is where you will find some of the most luxurious properties in the country. This isn’t really a shock, as the weather is almost perfect practically year round, and the beaches are out of this world! If you are looking for a high-end, relaxing getaway, the Papagayo Peninsula is the perfect place for you.
Of course, not everyone can afford to stay on the peninsula itself, and luckily, there are much more reasonable options within a short drive. You may want to look at accommodations in Playa Panama, Playa Hermosa, or even Playa del Coco. All of these are located less than an hour away from the peninsula, and will offer a great selection of hotels and vacation rentals for all price ranges.
Please have a look at the map below to help you find your perfect base to explore the Papagayo Peninsula!
