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Playa Barrigona: Gorgeous Local Beach by Samara

July 10, 2025 By Sammi 9 Comments

If you’re staying in Samara and would like to explore some of the lesser known beaches around, then you have to go to Playa Barrigona, a gorgeous beach about 40 minutes away.

In this guide, you’ll read about how to plan your visit to Playa Barrigona.

Please make sure to read the part about getting to Playa Barrigona because of the road conditions and accessibility.

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Location and Directions

Playa Barrigona is in the south Guanacaste province, very close to Samara.

How to Get to Playa Barrigona

Although access to Playa Barrigona is much better now, there are some important things to know regarding which route to take.

You Should Have a 4×4 In Rainy Season

The road to Barrigona requires a 4×4 in the rainy season (May through November) due to the road. It’s a complete dirt road that gets super muddy when it rains a lot and becomes a slippery mess.

We also recommend a 4×4 for December, as that is the transition month from rainy to dry to the roads are at their worst condition.

In May, you can still get there in a 2wd high clearance SUV as that is just the start of the rainy season, though a 4×4 would be better.

A dirt road in Costa Rica
The road to Barrigona beach after the turn. Picture take in February so it’s dry since it was summer.

In the dry season and the driest months: January, February, March and April, you can get there in a 2wd high clearance SUV.

Read more about renting a car in Costa Rica and check out our Costa Rica car rental discount.

Best Route from Samara

The best route to take from Samara to Playa Barrigona is Route 160, Route 150 west to go back onto Route 160 and then take a left at Barco Quebrado.

After the left turn, you’ll continue on this road until you see the sign for Playa Barrigona on your right hand side. This road is called “Acceso a Playa Barrigona.”

This route takes about 30 minutes and does not have any river crossings.

Driving to Barrigona
Entrance to Playa Barrigona. This POV is if you are coming from Samara. The road on the right hand side will be the one when coming from the turn off of Barco Quebrado.

Turn onto this road to drive another ten minutes or so to reach the beach.

Do Not Take the Rio Buena Vista Route in Rainy Season

We do not recommend to take the route that crosses the Rio Buena Vista (past Samara Dive School). This river gets very big during the rainy season. There is a section in the middle where it gets very deep.

On Google Maps, it is the point called “Cross River.” If Waze or Google Maps takes you that way, we do not recommend to cross this river in the rainy season, particularly the months of July through November.

Especially October and November when the river is at its fullest and it’s super rainy.

In the driest part of the year, February and March, the river is not that deep, though you still need to drive through some water.

IMPORTANT: Water damage due to river crossings is never covered under any type of insurance for rental vehicles, even if you get full insurance.

You might see locals on motorcycles and in their cars drive through this river, but they are very familiar with it and know how to cross it.

We have personally crossed it a few times with no problem in February and July, but Yeison has a lot of experience, as a Costa Rican who grew up in areas like this. He grew up driving through rivers and knows how to find the best path.

Parking

There is no real “parking lot” at Playa Barrigona. Everyone has to park their cars right before the river and then you walk a short path down to the beach.

Barrigona parking
The parking situation at Playa Barrigona

Sometimes, mostly during the high tourism season and on weekends/holidays, there will be a local guy wearing an orange/yellow vest who say they will watch your car for you.

If you want to, you can give them a tip when you are leaving the beach.

Sometimes they will have a ceviche and coconut stand.

*Do not leave valuables in the car!*

Playa Barrigona Beach

The reward after this adventurous drive is an absolutely breathtaking beach.

If you visit in the dry season, the river on the right hand side is not very big. If you visit during the rainy season, the river gets a lot bigger and the local kids like to swim in there.

Rivermouth
Locals enjoying the river

The beach has soft white sand and bright blue waters, surrounded by forest covered mountains from end to end.

Barrigona Costa Rica beach
Barrigona beach panorama photo

During dry season, the mountains are more yellow and sparse but in rainy season, they turn a lush green.

Playa Barrigona Costa Rica aerial photo
View of Playa Barrigona from the air

There is nothing on Barrigona: no hotels, no restaurants, nothing. It’s a wonderful escape from the crowds of Samara.

A man is walking on a vast empty beach, there is a small dog near him - Playa Barrigona, Costa Rica
A man and his dog on Barrigona Beach

Sunsets here are beautiful as well.

Playa Barrigona Costa Rica sunset
Barrigona at sunset

At both ends of the beach are large rocky reefs and the north end rocks are always visible.

Barrigona in low tide
Low tide

There are some nice palm trees and flat spaces for laying down and relaxing.

Barrigona does get very busy on weekends and holidays. If you go on a normal weekday morning, there usually isn’t a lot of people.

Can You Swim at Playa Barrigona?

The waves at Barrigona are much bigger than it seems and the current is strong. We don’t recommend to swim at this beach. There are no lifeguards.

You can dip your toes and play in the sand, but swimming can be risky due to the strong currents.

Barrigona Beach
Soft white sand at Playa Barrigona.

The Triple Crown surf competition was held at Barrigona in 2014 so this beach is actually good for surfing when it’s on.

If you’re an experienced surfer tired of the crowds at Samara, this is an excellent nearby beach to catch waves. Just make sure to check conditions and if possible, go with a local. Don’t surf alone.

Other Beach Near Samara

You can also visit Playa Carrillo for another beautiful quiet beach near Samara.

Read about other secluded beaches in Costa Rica below!

Playa Mina Guanacaste: Local favorite white sand beach south of Conchal

Cuevas beach: Small white sand beach in Mal Pais, great snorkeling bordering a private reserve

Playa Cabuyal Guanacaste: Empty white sand beach in Gulf of Papagayo

Chiquita Puerto Viejo: Beautiful beach between Punta Uva and Cocles

Playa Buena: Small white sand beach between Playa Panama and Hermosa in Guanacaste

Playa Penca: White sand beach with clear waters by Playas del Coco

Filed Under: Costa Rica Beach information

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rocio Valverde Stark says

    June 18, 2024

    Very dangerous for swimming. Many people have drowned and whole families have been put into nightmares. Beware. Also so much thieves break into the cars. Not so safe due to being so secluded.

    Reply
  2. Dan says

    January 18, 2022

    A lot must have changed since 2018. The road in is better than the main road, well graded with not a pothole. the parking area is well defined and can be seen from some of the closer areas of the beach. On a Tuesday in January there were eleven cars parked.
    It’s still a beautiful beach. lots of private spots for picnics, plenty of room for everyone.
    It’s well worth checking this beach out!

    Reply
  3. Orb says

    January 19, 2021

    Are any of the beaches ok with nude sun bathing?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      January 19, 2021

      I have seen people nude sun bathing at this beach actually since not a lot of people go to this beach, I’m not sure if it’s legal or illegal in Costa Rica to be honest. I think if you’re not near any people, it’s OK but if you’re around people especially kids and families, we don’t recommend it (Costa Rica is a Catholic country) and it’s not normal for locals to sun bathe nude in Costa Rica.

      Reply
    • Jorge Sanabria says

      January 4, 2025

      No es muy recomendable ir solo por lo largo y solitario

      Reply
  4. Naima says

    December 5, 2019

    Hi. I’m really enjoying reading your blog, you def have some amazing information! I was wondering if it is to come from Nosara to Playa Barrigona, do you know about it?

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      December 5, 2019

      Yes you can, it’s better with a car but you can bus from NOsara to Samara and then try to find a taxi to take you to Barrigona or I think there are horseback riding tours in Samara that go to Barrigona.

      Reply
  5. gallobravo says

    April 10, 2018

    Might be good to note that in the rainy season when many people park just before the big muddy mess and walk the rest of the way, there have been many reports of people breaking into the parked cars.

    Reply
    • Sammi says

      April 10, 2018

      Very good point. thanks for pointing that out.

      Reply

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