This post was updated in 2025 to reflect the new hotels now built on Playa Penca and Playa Huevo.
If you’ve ever researched about the beaches in Guanacaste, I’m sure you have heard of Playa Conchal, Playa Potrero, or Playa Flamingo when it comes to the most beautiful ones in this area. All these beaches are incredibly beautiful and are popular for a good reason: white sand, turquoise waters, stunning sunset views, tranquil atmosphere.
However, what’s special about Guanacaste is that there are so many beaches that you can discover a hidden beauty that barely anyone has ever heard of. You can take your car and explore for a day, stumbling upon places that are so off the map that not even the locals know the name of the place!
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Playa Mina
We randomly found Playa Mina one day as we were exploring Bahia de los Piratas. Bahia was beautiful but we were in the mood to keep exploring so we looked for another beach that a local had mentioned to us. He didn’t know the name and all he could tell us was to “go down the small path to the left.”
As we drove back, Yeison and I noticed an opening in the middle of the forest and guessed the entrance was here. We nearly went back because this road was so terrible that we actually got stuck on a rock and had to push the car off! Thank God it wasn’t raining that day or we would have been stranded for sure! Luckily we made it down and we weren’t disappointed, Playa Mina was breathtaking.
There’s nothing at Playa Mina, no facilities, no boats, not even a parking lot. This was truly a hidden beach in the jungle. Gorgeous bright blue water, soft sand and stunning scenery. The waves were a tad rougher but still swimmable. Playa Mina is an incredible secluded beach where you can relax in total peace.
Here is our guide to visiting Playa Mina.
Playa Penca
Waldorf Astoria built a huge hotel and residencies on this beach and opened their doors in 2025. Playa Penca is no longer a secret beach.
This isn’t the Playa Penca near Playa Flamingo. This beach is actually pretty close to Playas del Coco, just around the corner to the right. You can get here by kayaking, boating or you can drive to the entrance near the Cacique neighborhood and walk down.
I went to this beach for the first time a few weeks ago by walking (we normally kayak here) and absolutely fell in love all over again. The water is a brilliant blue with pillowy white sand, very Caribbean like.
Not all the beaches in Costa Rica are like this, it’s actually quite common to see dark or black sand with grey water but Penca was like a dream beach. Great snorkeling, soft waves and the water was so clear you can see your feet like you were looking through glass.
This is one of our favorite white sand beaches in Costa Rica.
You can also visit Playa Calzon de Pobre which is right next to Penca.
Playa Junquillal
You can only reach Playa Junquillal by boat, there is no driving entrance or foot path and it’s located within the Gulf of Papagayo, about a 20 minute ride from Playas del Coco.
We go to this beach whenever we go out boating in the Gulf of Papagayo and it is one beach that we have never seen anyone else there before.
What I love about Playa Junquilal is the color of the water, it’s so green! Beach characteristics change so much in Costa Rica, even if there are two just a few hundred meters from each other they can be completely opposite. It’s fascinating to see the differences! This beach has white sand and green water, still clear and great for snorkeling.
Playa Palmares
Playa Palmares is a stunning beach that has a nice spot for snorkeling.
It’s located within the Papagayo peninsula and is also only reachable by boat. I love the view of this beach, when you’re looking out at the water you see the Gulf of Papagayo all around you including the different beaches, rock formations and dazzling green scenery. In the past when we’ve boated here, we’ve seen manta rays jumping, dolphins, turtles and even whales once!
The waters are fairly calm and very clear so it’s fabulous for snorkeling, especially on the right hand side where there are lots of rocks. You can walk on these rocks when the tide is low to see little tide pools and the funny looking blue crabs scuttling around.
Playa Huevo
Ritz Carlton has built a hotel on this beach in 2025. Playa Huevo is no longer a secret beach.
This beach you might have heard of. Playa Huevo is only reachable by boat and it is one of the most visited beaches if you hire someone to take you around the Gulf of Papagayo.
You can snorkel here but my favorite things about the beach are the cliff views and the caves. There’s a short path over near the caves where you can walk up the hill and come to an amazing cliff view. Be careful you don’t run up too fast or you might run right off!
The caves are another fascinating part of the beach. During low tide, you can walk all the way through the cave and climb on the rocks! They have been there for thousands of years and it’s a ton of fun to explore.
So there you have it, 5 fabulous beaches in Guanacaste that you can now add to your list of places to visit. All of these beaches are worth a visit if you want to experience a secluded beach all to yourself, away from everything and everyone.
Who doesn’t love having a beach all to themselves?
How to see these hidden beaches in Guanacaste
If you want to see some of these hidden beaches in Guanacaste, the best way is to go boating as some of them are reachable only by boat. Our friend Marcy has a boating company and can take you to all these spots and go snorkeling! Read more about the company and our experience going boating with him here.
Karen Warren says
They look a bit quieter than European beaches! Great if you want to get away from it all.
Sammi says
I heard beaches in Europe are absolutely packed! I couldn’t do that, I’m so used to having beaches all to myself 😛
Dave Cole says
I can’t think of any better way to reward some jungle hiking than one of these beaches at the end of the trail. I’m sure you guys were floored as soon as you got a glimpse of the white sand and shades of ocean blue when you saw these spots for the first time. Nice to know these place still exist in the world – thanks for sharing!
Sammi says
We definitely were! It’s a great reward when you go adventuring and find something totally unexpected!
Christina says
Wow. One beach is more beautiful than the other. I will keep your now not so “secret” beaches in mind. After I read some of your Costa Rica posts I HAVE to Costa Rico to my bucket list.
Sammi says
Hope you make it here one day 🙂
Samantha says
Costa Rica looks amazing and it seems the world and its wife have been but I haven’t! Pictures are just sublime. Just out of interest can you do a self drive holiday there? Hire a car and drive around? Are there enough places to stay? I’d love to do a tour of Costa Rica but I don’t want to do a group tour. We prefer to explore by ourselves… 🙂
Sammi says
You can definitely rent a car and drive yourself around but a couple tips. First, there are no addresses (no street signs, no house numbers) so it’s super easy to get lost. Second, most of the roads here are not paved and can get anywhere from driving on gravel or a few potholes to crossing rivers that come up to your waist. Third, the driving here is quite insane. People walk and bike in the middle of the road wearing no reflectors at night, alot of streets don’t have street lights. If you’ve never driven in conditions like this before and want to explore off the main road, it’s advisable to hire a driver instead. There have been soo many tourists who get into car accidents here because they’ve never experienced this driving before
Patricia Rios says
thanks Sammy for sharing this images, these beaches are really beautiful.
Sammi says
Con Mucho gusto! 🙂
Agness says
You are so right guys! I’ve never heard of any of these stunning beaches. I guess it’s because I never made it to Costa Rica, but that must change soon. Playa Junquillal took my breath away!
Sammi says
I love that beach too, the color of the water will never stop fascinating me!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
It has been so fun to follow your posts about Costa Rica! We have been there three times, the last a few years ago to Guanacaste. I did three blog posts about the area, really centered on the food and some of our adventures. We went snorkeling at Playa Conchal, loved the little spots to stop for a drink and food in Brasilitas afterward. A favorite had to be the beach by Lola’s for the long (exciting in our case) walk and the food. Such a great spot! Glad to have moved from our Triberr connection to reading your blog! Here were our beaches: http://boulderlocavore.com/2011/08/costa-rican-ceviche-marinated-fresh-fish.html
Sammi says
Conchal is a really popular beach, it is gorgeous though! I prefer the less popular ones myself but haven’t been to a beach that I don’t like in Guanacaste so far (except maybe Playa Grande haha)
Stef says
You were so right with the title of your blog post. Absolutely gorgeous beaches and I haven’t heard of them before 😉
Sammi says
Thanks! They are super beautiful !
Calli says
Wow, those beaches are all so beautiful I don’t think I could pick a favorite! Although any beach that doesn’t have a name sounds like the perfect place to set up my towel 🙂
Sammi says
Haha totally agreed 🙂
Jen Seymour says
Awesome post on hidden beaches in Guanacaste!! They all look beautiful and gorgeous, maybe Greg & I will be able to check some out on our trip there next month. Thanks Samantha.
Sammi says
Thanks Jen! Yeaaa we can be your tour guide hehe 🙂
Cathy says
We are looking for a good place to stay that has whale watching tour that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and someone that can take us to these 5 hidden beaches. also where are the good places to eat in this area?
Thanks sammi! Enjoyed your video of the whales. We’re trying to track down the Blue Whales & were informed that the Costa Rica Dome is the place to go to find them. Do you concur?
Sammi says
Also the Dome is probably the best place to see blue whales. They are tricky though, I haven’t met anyone who’s seen one, most of the time it is pilot whales or humpbacks.