Major city · Costa Rica
Playa Carrillo
Half a day or a quiet overnight: the beach is a calm crescent with safe swimming, but there are no tour operators or nightlife. Stay in Sámara and drive 10 min here for the afternoon.
Playa Carrillo is a calm, palm-fringed crescent on the Nicoya Peninsula, about 6 km south of Sámara. The beach is wide, the water is gentle and the town of Puerto Carrillo has a handful of hotels and sodas. There are no tour desks, no surf rentals and no bars: this is a beach-only stop. Most travellers visit as a half-day trip from Sámara or Nosara, or stay one night for the sunset and a quiet swim.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season; road to Nosara may be rough)
- Airports
- LIR · SJO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Playa Carrillo911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Playa Carrillo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyPlaya Carrillo is very safe; the main risks are sunburn, rip currents (rare but present) and the rough road south in the rainy season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIR Guanacaste International (Liberia) (About 1.5 h drive via Sámara; paved road to Carrillo.).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the beach and village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer (bottle) at a soda₡1,500–2,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Sámara–Carrillocheck₡5,000–8,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 12,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 55,000
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 80,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 25,000 · Mid CRC 50,000 · High CRC 90,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIR Guanacaste International (Liberia) (About 1.5 h drive via Sámara; paved road to Carrillo.) · SJO Juan Santamaría International (San José) (About 4.5 h drive; shuttle to Sámara then local bus or taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Playa Carrillo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walking covers the beach and village. A bike is handy for the paved road to Sámara. A 4x4 is needed for the dirt road south to Nosara in the rainy season.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sámara
goDoor to door: 10 min
Drive or taxi 6 km (3.7 mi) north on paved roadDrive or taxi 3.7 mi (6 km) north on paved road
Wider choice of restaurants, surf rentals and tours.
Nosara
cautionDoor to door: 30–45 min
Drive south on unpaved road (4x4 advised in wet season)
Road can be rough; check conditions before setting out.
Liberia
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Drive via Sámara and Nicoya
Airport, supermarkets and bus terminal.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Puerto Carrillo (the village)
A few hotels and guesthouses on the hill east of the beach; walk to the sand in 5–10 min.
Sámara
6 km (3.7 mi) north; more choices for food, tours and nightlife; drive or taxi to Carrillo.3.7 mi (6 km) north; more choices for food, tours and nightlife; drive or taxi to Carrillo.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × CRC 55,000 | CRC 55,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CRC 50,000 | CRC 100,000 |
| Taxi Sámara–Carrillo one way1 × CRC 7,000 · check | CRC 7,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CRC 8,000 | CRC 16,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 17,800 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 97,900 per person per day, bed included | CRC 195,800 |
2026 estimate in Costa Rican colones; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda | ₡4,000–6,000 |
| Beer (bottle) at a soda | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Taxi Sámara–Carrillocheck | ₡5,000–8,000 |
| Hotel double room (mid-range) | ₡35,000–70,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Puerto Carrillo; bring cash from Sámara or Liberia.
- The road south to Nosara is unpaved and can be impassable after heavy rain.
- Rip currents are rare here, but always check the flags.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Playa CarrilloPlaya Carrillo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
Embassies are in San José; the nearest consulate is in Liberia (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Sámara–Carrillo: ₡5,000–8,000 (check)
- Bus Sámara–Carrillo: check
Say or show
- Buenos días — Hello / Good morning (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto? — How much? (KWAHN-toh)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEHN-tah por fah-VOR)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Playa Carrillo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season; road to Nosara may be rough) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Playa Carrillo
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