If you’re looking for a secluded beach near Samara or Nosara, head to Playa Barco Quebrado to escape the tourists.
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How to Get To Playa Barco Quebrado
On Google Maps, you can set your destination as Playa Barco Quebrado. It’s best to take Route 160.
You can also see it as “Broken Boat Beach” on Google Maps.
There is a small parking lot and you’ll know when you’ve arrived when you see a small property and house on the right hand side.
Interestingly, we didn’t see any washed up boats on the beach, but perhaps they already moved it when they gave the beach this name.
4×4 Required?
Not necessarily. It’s best to go in a high clearance car as the beach access road is not paved.
Though there aren’t any steep mountains or hills, but the pot holes can damage a low clearance car if not driven very carefully, especially in the rainiest months of September and October.
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Facilities
Nothing.
Bring insulated reusable water bottle, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, towels, snacks and everything you need for the day.
Can You Swim?
We don’t advise swimming. The current is very strong and there are rip tides.
In low tide, you can bathe in the rock pools.
When we visited, it was during low tide and a local family were splashing around in the tide pools.
But this beach is best for long walks and playing in the sand.
The Beach: Playa Barco Quebrado
Playa Barco Quebrado is best during low tide so you can bathe in the rock pools and walk the shores.
In high tide, the water comes up fairly high, making it difficult to lay down and lounge.
The sand if a soft tan color and the water is a beautiful blue.
This beach is not that big and you can enjoy a leisurely walk, end to end.
Even though the name means broken boat in English, I didn’t see any when we were there. Perhaps many years ago a boat washed up on shore, and that’s how the beach got its name.
Instead, we saw a local couple walking on the beach, a kid flying a kite, and another family bathing in the tide pools.
Playa Barco Quebrado is about halfway between Samara and Nosara. It’s 30 minutes from both beach towns.
This is a great remote, local beach to visit from either town for a peaceful and quiet day.
Other Beaches Near Samara
If you’re looking for other similar beaches around, check these out below.
Playa Buena Vista: Similar beach to Barco Quebrado, near Samara.
Playa Carrillo: Picturesque crescent moon shaped beach with palm trees and soft white sand. One of our favorite beaches in the area.
Playa Barrigona: 30 minute drive. Beautiful local surfing beach with gorgeous sunsets.
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