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.
Raquel says
Beautiful beaches!! I want to ask you about the No Name beach… Does it by any chance have tons of crushed shells on the bottom of the water? I’m looking for a gorgeous small beach I went to when I was a very young kid. That was the 90’s… We travel by boat about 30 to 40 min from Playas del Coco, it was a small secluded beach full of wild trees, some touching the water. There were no waves at all and the water was super clear, like you could see your feet even when you were inside. The man of the boat said it was Nacazcol, but my brother went there 6 years ago and said no way..this is not it, it was a complete different beach. Thanks in advance.
Sammi says
Hi Raquel! Hmm the no name beach could be it. From what I remember as we visited that beach a couple years ago, the water was pretty clear. In the far end of the photo, it is very rocky if that jogs your memory at all. I still don’t know the name of this beach but I don’t think it’s named Nacazcol though I am not positive!
Sammi says
Hi Vichhika! Our friend has a boat tour company that you can check out. Here is our post on it:Playas del Coco boat tour .
There is another option called Coco Water Taxi, you pay a set amount and the water taxi will take you to the beach, drop you off and come back and get you at a certain time. This one is a bit limited though, they don’t take you beach hopping like our friend’s boat tour company (or you have to pay extra I think) and they don’t provide waters, snorkel equipment or anything like that. It’s purely just a taxi to get from A to B.
Vichhika Taing says
Thanks so much for the information!!! We’re super excited. I found ou on Instagram. Your pics are amazing.
Sammi says
Hi Vichhika! Aw that’s so awesome thank you! So flattered 🙂 Hope you have a great time in Costa Rica!
Vichhika Taing says
Thanks for posting all these wonderful tips in CR. My family and I are visiting Guanacaste next week and stay on Playa del Coco. Your site has been a great help. Hopefully we will be able to visit one of these hidden beaches. What boat tour would you recommend to see some of these beaches?
yeison says
Hi Cathy!
Samantha wrote a post about whales here is the link: Humpback whales Costa Rica
Ron | Active Planet Travels says
Absolutely stunning beaches. I love Costa Rica. Between the beaches, culture, food, smoothies and, of course, beautiful off-the-beaten-path towns I can’t wait to go back! 🙂
Sammi says
It’s pretty amazing!
Heidi Wagoner says
I haven’t been to Costa Rica in almost 20 years, but still remember the wonderful beaches. I spent time on both coasts and loved them all.
Sammi says
Oh I would have loved to see Costa Rica back then, it must have been much more pristine!
Heidi Wagoner says
It was Sammi. I stayed at the one and only hostel in Playa Manzanillo (West) and it was an adventure trying to get there. Hiring locals and ferries that didn’t really exist. On the East coast, we stayed in, what was a tiny town, called Cahuita. The jungle and the monkey’s were incredible. We also hired a local to take us up river to tortuga national park and we did a homestay and watched turtles nesting. I am sure they are all big tours now, back then we had to make our own tour.
Sammi says
That actually sounds amazing… there are wayyy more tourists. I went with a friend to Manuel Antonio and she went about 5 years ago and couldn’t believe at how many more people there were! I haven’t been to Cahuita though I’ve heard it’s really nice. I know in some areas in Costa Rica they try not to make the roads too nice or accessible because they don’t want to overrun it with tourists. It’d be so interesting to visit back then and visit again now to see the differences!
Mr.Di says
“No name beach” –this is playa Nacascolito –it is at the very end and secondary (smaller) peninsula of the Four Season property (peninsula) We usually take a trip with Arroyo Adventures to this location or many times we have rented seadoos from them (Arroyo Adventures) and gone here.
Playa Penca, Nacascolito and Huevos and its cave are my favourite beaches.
Sammi says
Oooh thanks! Yes that is the one Arroyo Adventures always goes to. I’m glad to finally have someone who knows, granted it’s OK if that beach doesn’t have a name but I felt like since Arroyo goes there it must have some sort of name. I love the cliff view from Huevo, it’s spectacular!
Chris Boothman says
A beautiful collection of Costa Rican beaches that all look awesome! All of these hidden gems make it almost impossible to pick one above the rest but if you made me go for one, I would likely opt for Playa Huevo just because the scenery around looks so photogenic and a really relaxing spot in the heart of Guanacaste!
Sammi says
Thanks Chris! They’re all beautiful but Huevo has the special cliff view that the other ones don’t have. So amazing!
Alli says
Playa Junquillal looks unreal. I haven’t taken very many beach vacations as of yet (just a handful here and there) but I am positive that when I do need to escape the dreadful Canadian winters, Costa Rica will be at the top of my list! Can’t wait to explore this country. Such endless options for beaches and adventures and all around relaxing and adventure activities!
Sammi says
I love Junquillal, not many people know of it so it’s one of my favorites. Hope you get to come explore one day !