Page 33 - SOUTH GUANACASTE TOURIST GUIDE

Santa Cruz
Playa Langosta
This inlet has two main sectors, divided by the mouth of the Río San Francisco. To the north, the coast is rocky and not suitable for swimming. To the south is the San Fran- cisco estuary, whose mangrove swamp is important for nesting birds. It is an import- ant nesting site for leatherback turtles and is part of Las Baulas Marine National Park. Langosta is also very popular among surf- ers. This beach has been awarded the Eco- logical Blue Flag.
Playa Langosta
Playa Mansita
Playa Mansita is located within Hacienda Pinilla. It is a small white sand beach with a landscape similar to that of Avellanas, but smaller and without the high waves that cha- racterize its neighbor. Mansita has little ve- getation and a lot of stone.
Playa Mansita
Playa Bonita
Playa Bonita is located within Hacienda Pinilla, a residential area inside a luxury resort in Guanacaste. This beach combines white sand and crystal clear water. There are also a lot of rocks, not much vegetation and an intermediate swell. It is a place to rest in solitude. This is just one of the beaches named Playa Bonita: there are a total of three with the same name in Costa Rica.
Playa Bonita
Playa Avellana
Playa Avellanas in Santa Cruz de Guanacaste is one of the most popular spots in Costa Rica. It’s the backdrop to hundreds of selfies taken by tourists. One favorite location for these vacation snaps is the iconic wooden bridge surrounded by dry branches. Avellanas is a white sand beach with shade trees along the shore. It also stands out for its waves, which make it a favorite spot for surfers, from beginners to experts.
Playa Negra
Playa Negra is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica. Its waves receive dozens of intermediate to advanced surfers every day. Despite its name, meaning “Black Beach”, Playa Negra has white sand with lots of rocks on the sides. It is a perfect location in Santa Cruz de Guanacaste for a hike or just to sit under the shade of a tree and relax. You must walk along a short trail before visiting the beach.
Playa Negra
Playa Junquillal
Junquillal is a special destination that combines big waves that draw surfers from near and far with the jungle sounds of the howler monkeys that live in the area. This beach has gray sand and has few stones. The beautiful sunsets are part of the attraction of Playa Junquillal.
Playa Junquillal
Playa Avellana
Photos: goplaya.cr
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