Exotic Hotel on Costa Rica’s Pacific Shoreline

Playa Carrillo, a secluded strip of white-sand beach surrounded by lush, tropical forest, extends more than a mile along the western shoreline of Costa Rica. A rocky reef blocks strong waves from entering the bay area here, making the calm water around Playa Carrillo a nice spot for you to dive, kayak, and swim. The beach was also awarded the Ecological Blue Flag for water cleanliness and safety. It’s a cinch to get to Playa Carrillo from Hotel Guanamar, which overlooks the water from a hilly perch at the southern end of the bay.

Bay-front and ocean-view rooms all have spectacular views of the bay and the Pacific Ocean beyond; ocean-view rooms have private balconies facing the water. You’ll find equally spectacular views at the outdoor pool, which is ringed by a wooden deck equipped with plenty of lounge chairs and thatched cabanas.

You can grab a cocktail and watch the sunset at the open-air restaurant and bar. It serves local lobster and shrimp in an intimate dining room decorated with tropical plants.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Forested Mountains and Legendary Surfing Beaches

The province of Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica takes its name from the Guanacaste tree, an umbrella-shaped species also known, less picturesquely, as the earpod tree. These trees blanket the slopes of the Guanacaste and Tilaran Mountains, helping to shelter the coastline from rainstorms and keep the beaches warm and dry.

Stick to the shore of bustling Playas del Coco and you'll find plenty of waterfront activities as well as lively nightlife. But it's worth heading farther afield to take in some of the province's national parks. Starting in October, Marino las Baulas National Park serves as a major nesting ground for leatherback turtles. And in the north, Santa Rosa National Park is known for its legendary surf breaks, including one featured in the documentary The Endless Summer II.

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