Major city · Costa Rica
Playa Grande
Spend 1–2 days in Playa Grande for turtle watching, surf and beach walk; arrive via Liberia Airport (1 h drive).
Playa Grande is a low‑key beach town in Guanacaste, home to the Las Baulas National Marine Park where leatherback turtles nest. The main attractions (turtle season, surf break, nearby Playa Carbon) fit comfortably in a short stay, and the town is reachable in about an hour from Liberia Airport.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, good surf)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, limited beach access)
- Airport
- LIR
- 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 Grande911 ▾
- Police / Ambulance911
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 Grande, 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 Grande is generally safe; watch for strong surf and respect turtle‑nesting restrictions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / 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 Liberia Airport (≈1 h drive north via Route 21).
- Getting aroundBicycles are the easiest way to explore the 5 km (3.1 mi) beach stretch; scooters and cars can be rented in Liberia or Tamarindo.Bicycles are the easiest way to explore the 3.1 mi (5 km) beach stretch; scooters and cars can be rented in Liberia or Tamarindo.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personCRC 2,500
- Mid-range bedDouble room (2 people), a night, per roomCRC 9,000
- High-end bedDouble room (2 people), a night, per roomCRC 15,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 4,500 · Mid CRC 7,500 · High CRC 12,000
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 Liberia Airport (≈1 h drive north via Route 21)
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
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Playa Grande: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 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
Bicycles are the easiest way to explore the 5 km beach stretch; scooters and cars can be rented in Liberia or Tamarindo.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tamarindo
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Taxi or bus from Playa Grande, about 30 min
Larger town with more restaurants and nightlife.
Las Baulas National Marine Park
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Walk north along the beach or short bike ride, 5–10 min
Main turtle‑nesting area; guided tours available.
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.
Hotel RipJack Inn
Beach‑front, surf‑focused; good for 1‑night stays
El Manglar Hotel
Villas and hostel rooms in Palm Beach Estates; budget‑friendly
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
- ₡4,000–6,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡6,000–9,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡9,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (2 people)1 × 1 night × CRC 9,000 | CRC 9,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CRC 7,500 | CRC 15,000 |
| Liberia Airport → Playa Grande transfer (taxi or shuttle)2 × CRC 15,000 · check | CRC 30,000 |
| Surf lesson (Una Ola, 2 h)2 × CRC 20,000 · check | CRC 40,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CRC 5,000 · check | CRC 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 10,400 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 57,200 per person per day, bed included | CRC 114,400 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurant | ₡3,500–7,000 |
| Bicycle rental (half‑day) | ₡2,000–3,500 |
| Surf lesson (2 h) | ₡12,000–18,000 |
| Taxi from Liberia Airport to Playa Grande (≈30 km) | ₡15,000–20,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Turtle nesting sites are protected – no lights or beach fires at night (check park rules).
- Surf can be strong; beginners should take lessons at Una Ola Surf Resort.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Playa GrandePlaya Grande
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in San José (check address); other embassies in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Liberia Airport → Playa Grande (taxi): ≈ ₡15,000–20,000, 30 min (check)
- Bicycle rental (half‑day): ≈ ₡2,500
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis-kuhl-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-see-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh kwes-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (don-deh es-tah lah plah-yah)
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 Grande. 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, good surf) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, limited beach access) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add Liberia‑to‑Playa Grande transport (taxi or shuttle) to the itinerary.
- Include surf‑lesson package at Una Ola for beginners.
Sources
Ask about Playa Grande
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