A rural beach town on the Pacific coast in Costa Rica, Playa Junquillal offers a secluded place to enjoy the rolling waves and long stretches of gray sand away from the crowds. Just 45 minutes south of the more popular town of Tamarindo in Guanacaste, Junquillal is often completely deserted, with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of opportunities to enjoy local wildlife. It’s one of the longest beaches in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, with the sand stretching for over 3km.
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It’s home to a sea turtle hatchery, with the entire coastline being an important habitat for baby turtles. The beach has even been awarded an Ecological Blue Flag status for its cleanliness and conservation efforts.
Behind the sand, you’ll find a sprawling village with restaurants, vacation rentals, and several tour companies. Yet, it still offers a retreat from busier beaches further north and south along the Pacific Ocean coast of Costa Rica.
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How to Get to Playa Junquillal
By Car
The closest international airport is in Liberia. The drive from Liberia Airport to Playa Junquillal is only about 78 km or 1 hour 20 minutes. The road into Playa Junquillal has been paved in the last couple of years, making it accessible for 2WD vehicles even in the rainy season.
From the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, it’s a 4-hour drive or 255 km on good roads.
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By Bus/Shuttle
There are no direct public buses to Playa Junquillal from Liberia. However, you can take one of the several buses linking Liberia with Tamarindo for roughly $3-5 and then take a taxi from Tamarindo to Playa Junquillal, which should take about 40 minutes and cost around $60.
Another option is to take a bus to Santa Cruz, and then take another bus from Santa Cruz to Junquillal Beach. There are six buses every day between 5am and 6pm from Santa Cruz to the beach, taking about an hour and costing about $3.
You could opt for a private transfer shuttle from Liberia. However, this will set you back around $90-120 USD one way.
Parking at Playa Junquillal
At the main entrance to the beach, there is a dedicated parking area, with more parking at the end of other side roads leading to the beach. You won’t find any sort of security or parking fees at the beach due to its isolation, so ensure you don’t leave any valuables in your car.
Facilities at Playa Junquillal
The beach is quiet compared to other beaches up the coast. You won’t find much in terms of facilities, except for some picnic tables and a playground at the main entrance to the beach. For bathroom facilities, you’ll have to utilize the beachfront restaurants and accommodations.
Things to Do at Playa Junquillal
Despite its secluded location, there’s plenty to do at Playa Junquillal, Costa Rica.
Take a Long Walk
With a long rural coastline and vast empty shoreline, Playa Junquillal is perfect for long beach walks. You have kilometres worth of sand to explore that is mostly empty throughout the year.
No matter where you’re staying, you can easily walk in either direction up and down the beach for as long as you like. At sunset time, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful colours in the sky.
Go Surfing
For experienced surfers, Junquillal has a beach break with a strong left-hand break, best at high tide. The breaks are fast and hollow, so it’s not for beginners or intermediate surfers.
However, you can also head just north to Playa Avellanas where you’ll find a variety of breaks for all levels, or further north to Playa Grande for more beginner-level surf.
Closer to Junquillal is Playa Negra, with its famous right-hand barrel-rolling waves for experienced surfers.
Visit Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery
Playa Junquillal is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles, including Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Black Sea, and Hawksbills. The area is not a designated protected wildlife reserve, but the incredible work of the Verdiazul Hatchery means the turtles are being protected by passionate locals and volunteers.
The organization patrols four beaches every night, covering a total distance of 12 kilometres of coastline to keep poachers away. The best time to see the turtles is July – February (peak time is October and November).
Splash in the Rock Pools
At either end of the beach, the landscape becomes a little more rocky. At low tide, you can find small tide pools and rock pools, which are perfect for fossicking and cooling your feet. This is ideal for children who can safely splash about without the concern of rip tides in the main bay.
Camp on the Beach
At the northern end of the beach, there is a campground called Los Malinches. With an incredible view of the sea and surrounded by a forest filled with birds and howler monkeys, it’s a wonderful spot for camping under the stars.
They have great amenities, although a bit basic, and lovely grassy sites with walking access to the beach.
FAQs
Can you Swim at Playa Junquillal?
Swimming is possible at Playa Junquillal, although the waves make it a bit difficult and not overly calm. There are no lifeguards on duty at any time, so ensure you watch young children or any weak swimmers. There are also some submerged rocks, so be careful going too far out.
Can you Fish at Playa Junquillal?
Fishing is not overly popular at Playa Junquillal. However, you can easily organize a fishing charter from Tamarindo for an incredible day trip out to sea, sinking a line in for bigger fish.
Can you Surf at Playa Junquillal?
Yes, Junquillal is an underrated surfing destination for experienced wave riders. You’ll find a beach break with fast and hollow waves, with occasional reef breaks depending on the tide.
Is Playa Junquillal Safe for Families?
Playa Junquillal is a great spot to bring your family, with an endless amount of sand to enjoy for the day and minimal crowds. However, ensure you are careful of the wild waves and currents deep in the bay, as the beach is not watched by lifeguards.
READ NEXT: Best Beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Where to Stay near Playa Junquillal
Down the central and southern ends of the beach, you’ll find luxury homes and vacation rentals, including beachfront resorts.
Mid Range/Budget Hotel: Mundo Milo Eco Lodge
This Playa Junquillal eco-resort is incredible value considering its close proximity to the beach with themed bungalows offering a sense of privacy amidst the property. With a shady outdoor pool, onsite restaurants, free breakfast, and semi-self-catering villas with a large living room, the eco-lodge is a great choice for budget-conscious travellers. Prices start from $80 per night.
Luxury Hotel: Guacamaya Lodge
Located just a few minutes walk back from the beach in Playa Junquillal, this lodge offers spacious king rooms or private studios with kitchenettes and balconies. The large outdoor pool is surrounded by towering palm trees and rustic shelters with lounge chairs. The onsite restaurant serves a mixture of local and European cuisine. They can also arrange a variety of day trips for visitors. Prices are from $100 per night.
Where to Eat: Best Restaurants near Playa Junquillal
Restaurante Lochito’s
Along the main road back from the beach, this local restaurant is a great eatery for lunch or dinner. The welcoming family serves up delicious local food, including seafood and casado. The large portions and budget-friendly prices make it a popular choice amongst tourists and locals alike.
Restaurante Tatanka
Just back from the beach near Hotel Tatanka, this popular restaurant serves up fantastic pizza and other European dishes such as stuffed chicken breast, steak, and carbonara pasta. The airy restaurant also has a bar for cocktails and beer.
La Flaca Seafood Restaurant
A couple of kilometres back from Playa Junquillal in Paraiso, this seafood restaurant has freshly caught fish on the menu every day. From crumbed and fried to grilled, you can have your seafood cooked in whichever way you like. The open-air dining area makes it a great place to enjoy food within the local community.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track paradise on the Guanacaste coast, Playa Junquillal offers an endless stretch of sand for surfing, walking, splashing about, and snorkelling. With few people, you’ll likely have the beach all to yourself, with enough restaurants and hotels to make it an ideal base for exploring more of the surrounding area.
READ NEXT: Best Things to do in Playa Negra, Guanacaste, CR
