Playa Langosta

A quieter beach just south of Tamarindo, with surf breaks for experienced surfers, sunsets over the Pacific and Tamarindo's restaurants a short taxi ride away. Most of our clients spend 4 nights here.

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Fly into: LIR; Liberia 1 to 2 hours
Stay: 4 nights; What most of our clients choose
Best weather: Dec to Mar; Dry season
Region: Guanacaste; Surf, sunsets, a quieter beach
Pairs with: Arenal; Private transfer, about 4.5 hours

Why go

The quiet side of Tamarindo

Playa Langosta sits just south of Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast, close enough for the restaurants and the surf schools and calm enough to come home to. Its left and right-hand breaks suit experienced surfers, with coral and rock to watch for, so beginners usually take their first lessons on the main beach in Tamarindo. Just to the north, at Playa Grande, Las Baulas National Park is where giant leatherback turtles come ashore to nest, and a night visit can be arranged from the hotels here.

SurfingLeft and right breaks for experienced surfers

Sunset sailsThe catamaran our clients book most here

Leatherback turtlesNight visits to Las Baulas at Playa Grande

The map

Every hotel we book in Playa Langosta

2 hotels, our favourites numbered.

Map of the Playa Langosta area with the 2 hotels we book, our favourites numbered

1Hotel & Villas Cala Luna

Where to stay

Hotels we know personally

3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.

The pool and the open-air restaurant at Cala Luna, lit at dusk

Hotel & Villas Cala Luna

Villas with two or three bedrooms and a private pool each, set in thick gardens on a path that ends on the sand near Playa Langosta, with a Lahari spa, yoga and a farm-to-table restaurant.

4-starView hotel

See all 2 Playa Langosta hotels

Things to do

What our clients book most in Playa Langosta

Ranked from the trips we planned in the last 12 months.

01Catamaran sail with snorkellingPrivate, 4 hours
02Monkey Jungle canopy zip linesTour
03Zip lines through the dry forestShared, 3 hours
04Tamarindo estuary by boatTour

When to go

Dry and sunny December to March

December to March is the dry season, with long sunny days. Guanacaste has some of the fiercest sun in the country, so bring sunscreen. For the leatherbacks at Las Baulas, ask your Specialist about the nesting season for your dates.

Dry seasonGreen season, more rainSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early

Getting here

Fly into Liberia

From Liberia (LIR)1 to 2 hoursPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals

From Arenalabout 4.5 hoursPrivate transfer, our most planned route here

By small planeTamarindo airstripA domestic flight lands about 2 km from Playa Langosta

Where to go next

Where our clients go after Playa Langosta

ArenalPrivate transfer, about 4.5 hoursVolcano views and hot springs

TamarindoNext door, a short taxi ride northSurf lessons, restaurants and the estuary

Crater lake at Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

Rincón de la ViejaPrivate transfer, about 2.5 hoursHot springs, mud baths and waterfalls

Hanging bridge in the Monteverde cloud forest

MonteverdePrivate transfer, about 3.5 hoursThe cloud forest

Good to know

Playa Langosta questions we answer every week

Is Playa Langosta good for beginner surfers?

Its left and right-hand breaks suit experienced surfers, and there is coral and rock to watch for. Beginners usually take lessons on the main beach in Tamarindo, a short taxi ride north.

How many nights do I need at Playa Langosta?

4 nights is what most of our clients choose: time for a sunset catamaran sail, a boat trip on the Tamarindo estuary and easy days on the beach.

How far is Playa Langosta from Liberia airport?

Between 1 and 2 hours by private transfer. Your Specialist times it around your flight.

Can I see turtles near Playa Langosta?

Leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande, just to the north, in Las Baulas National Park, and a night visit can be arranged from the hotels here. Ask your Specialist about the season for your dates.

Your Costa Rica, planned by people who live here

Tell us what you love. A Costa Rica Specialist builds a custom itinerary around it, with private transfers, hotels we know and our team on call 24/7 while you travel.

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Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística