Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica Travel Guide: Things to Do + Tips

Searching for the ideal destination for your Costa Rica beach and surf vacation? Look no further than Playa Avellanas.

Year after year, my fiancé and I keep returning to Playa Avellanas for the gorgeous beaches, epic surf spots, incredible sunsets (every night!), pura vida lifestyle, warm local people, and wonderful restaurants… 

Oh, and the bountiful wildlife, from sea turtles to iguanas to motmot birds. What wake-up call is better than a howler monkey’s? 

And even though Playa Avellanas is rustic and slightly off the beaten path (think: dirt roads and no rules), there’s no shortage of luxurious beachfront resorts, boutique hotels, and rental homes here. 

I love this sweet little spot along the “Gold Coast” of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. And with this ultimate Playa Avellanas travel guide at your fingertips, I’m sure you will too!

Read on to discover the best things to do in Playa Avellanas, the best places to stay, where to eat, must-know tips, and so much more!

Best Things to Do in Playa Avellanas

Even though this is a small town, there are plenty of things to do in Playa Avellanas! Let’s dive into them.

1. Go Surfing

This is a surf town, so of course the top thing to do in Playa Avellanas is surf!

There are multiple different breaks to explore along the main beach, including:

• Purruja/El Parque: This beach break, in front of La Purruja, is a good spot for all levels, breaking right and left. High tide is best. 
• Little Hawaii: This is the best-known spot for experienced surfers, where the offshore waves can reach up to eighteen feet. Good on low tide, watch out for the shallow reef.
• Palo Seco: In front of the big dead tree halfway down the beach (to the north), this beach break offers rights and lefts. 
• El Estero: Though rocky, the river mouth is a good break at low tide. 

If you have a car, there are plenty more surf spots to explore up the Gold Coast, near Tamarindo, and down south in Playa Negra and beyond.

2. Learn to Surf

Want to take some surf lessons? A few surf schools operate in the area, including Avellanas Soul Surf School and Avellanas Surf School.

You can easily book a lesson by walking up to a surf school tent on the sand – or book through your accommodation.

I took a few lessons while I lived in the area, and improved a lot in just a few days!

3. Beach Hop

Plenty of beach time is in order – whether you want to laze on the sand, go for beach walks, or watch the incredible sunsets over a local craft beer. The sunsets here are some of the best in the entire world!

Beyond Avellanas Beach, which is absolutely beautiful, you may want to beach hop to some other nearby beaches…

Playa Mansita and Playa Langosta are both accessible from within Hacienda Pinilla/JW Marriott, while Playa Lagartillo and Playa Negra are a few minutes south.

Further afield, within a (very bumpy) one-hour drive south, there are many more stunning beaches to discover, including Playa Blanca, Playa Frijolar in Marbella (have lunch and local craft beers at Tiki Hut!), and Playa San Juanillo.

Note: At many of these beaches, there’ll be an attendant waiting in the parking lot. You’ll have to pay them somewhere between ₡1,000-2,000 (or $2-4 USD) to watch your car for the day, so bring cash.

READ MORE: Best Costa Rica Itinerary: 1 Week, 2 Weeks, 1 Month

4. Go Horseback Riding

One of the most iconic things to do in Playa Avellanas? Going for a sunset horseback riding tour on the beach.

When you arrive, ask the staff at your hotel to help you reserve a horseback riding tour with a local caballero.

5. Practice Yoga, Barre, or Jiu Jitsu

Want to keep up your fitness during your vacation? Check out these fitness classes.

• YOGA: You can practice yoga on the upper deck at Lola’s on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 9 to 9:30 AM. Drop-ins are $15. Find details here. In Playa Negra (10 minutes away), you can also practice yoga at Playa Negra Yoga and Playa Negra Beach Yoga. Drop-ins are $20 at both Negra studios. 
• BARRE: Pura Vida Barre studio, located at the La Esquina market in the heart of town and in Hacienda Pinilla, offers classes Monday through Thursday. Drop-ins are $15.
• JIU JITSU: There are different Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes available for young kids, children, and adults between Monday and Saturday at Lola’s. Find details here.

6. Explore the Mangroves

A long wooden boardwalk through the mangroves connects Avellanas Beach to Cabinas Las Olas, offering a peaceful nature walk through a unique ecosystem. 

On low tide, you’ll see thousands of bright orange and purple crabs. At high tide, you may even see a crocodile… but probably not. 

Access the boardwalk at this location, from the beach. It’s very rickety; watch your every step!

7. Go Snorkeling, Diving, or Fishing

Guanacaste’s coast is teeming with sea life, so scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, spear-fishing, and free-diving are also popular water sports in the area.

Talk to your hotel staff to see what’s available to book when you arrive.

8. Take a Day Trip

There are lots of fun day trips to take from Avellanas. Here are my top picks!

Visit Tamarindo

Tamarindo is extremely touristy and busy, but since it’s just 30 minutes north, it’s an easy and fun day trip.

This popular beach town (which feels like a city when compared to Avellanas) is home to gorgeous beaches, lots of restaurants, cafés, bars, surf shops, boutique shops, and every other modern convenience you could want. 

While you’re here, you can take a surf lesson, get a massage on the beach, beach bar hop, or experience the nightlife. Tamarindo is known for its salsa clubs and Latin music! 

Also, make sure to visit the Night Market on Thursday night and/or the Tamarindo Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings!

Explore Playa Negra

Playa Negra is a rustic beach village just 10 minutes south. Featured in the legendary surf movie Endless Summer II, Negra is considered one of Costa Rica’s top reef breaks.

But beyond the surf, there are some great restaurants and cafes, as well as a beautiful black sand beach and peaceful vibe. It’s a magical place – I absolutely love it. 

You can easily take a day trip here in your rental car or on your rental motorbike.

READ MORE: Playa Negra, Costa Rica Travel Guide: Surf, Black Sand & Peaceful Vibes

Visit Rincón de la Vieja Volcano

I highly recommend going on this Adventure Volcano Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo Tour at the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano.

I went on this day trip during my first trip to Playa Avellanas with 10 friends and it was so much fun!

This day trip includes a fun ziplining course, horseback riding through the jungle, tubing along the river, soaking in natural hot springs, volcanic mud bathing, lunch, and transportation. A must-do!

You can self-drive to the start in your rental car, or get picked up from the JW Marriott Guanacaste. Click here to book it!

See Sea Turtles at Ostional Wildlife Refuge

About 1.5 hours south of Playa Avellanas, near a popular surf town called Nosara, you’ll find Ostional National Wildlife Refuge – a nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles.

There are turtles in the Guanacaste Province year-round, but between late July through late December, turtles arrive in the thousands to lay eggs. They literally cover the entire beach.

The best time to see them is at dusk or dawn (5 AM or 5 PM). Be quiet and don’t disturb the turtles. Absolutely no flash photography!

You’re going to need a rental car for this excursion! Click here to find a great deal.

READ MORE: Ultimate Nosara, Costa Rica Travel Guide: 15 Epic Things to Do in Nosara!

Visit Marino Las Baulas National Park

You can also see nesting turtles at Marino Las Baulas National Park, about one hour north of Avellanas!

Marino Las Baulas is home to an estuary that you can explore on this boat tour. As you float along peacefully, you may see crocodiles, howler monkeys, iguanas, and all kinds of tropical birds. Click here to book your Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari Tour.

Where to Eat & Drink in Playa Avellanas

Playa Avellanas is a small beach village with a surprising number of places to eat and drink! This is pretty much an exhaustive list – in the order I recommend them.

• SoulShine: An Israeli-inspired café offering healthy eats, smoothies, and coffee, made with local ingredients. I love this place!
• Il Rustico: Delicious Italian food in a rustic yet romantic setting. Order the lasagna and pizza!
• Bitchin Bagels: Staying in a vacation rental? Order some fresh (and super delicious) bagels in advance for Wednesday delivery. 
• Cabinas Las Olas: This surf hotel’s restaurant and bar offers local craft beers, and international and typical Tico food. Order some fresh-catch fish tacos!
• La Purruja: At this casual beachfront bar and restaurant, enjoy some patacones, ceviche, and happy hour drinks!
• La Esquina de Avellanas: This little market in the heart of town offers an organic veggie shop, a couple of boutique shops, and a collection of food stalls offering arepas, gelato, cocktails, and more. 
• SURF HUB Coffee & Gelato: The best gelato in town! 
• Barumi’s: Burgers and fries, along with local craft beers.
• Cactus Restaurant: A cute, family-owned place for local eats.  
• Lola’s Restaurant: The original beach bar and restaurant in the area. The menu offers international classics, plus they have lounge chairs and umbrellas on the sand. They’re famous for their giant pet pig, Lola. 
• Burritos & Bowls: A brand new addition to town, serving giant burritos and loaded chicken and veggie bowls. I haven’t been here yet, so that’s why it’s at the bottom!

P.S. There are more great places to eat nearby in Playa Negra (Los Pargos). In the town of Tamarindo, which is a 30-minute drive north, you’ll find a much larger variety.

Where to Stay in Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica

Here are my top recommendations for where to stay in Playa Avellana, in every price range:

• JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa ($$$$): Nestled into Guanacaste’s dry tropical forest, on the secluded white sand beach of Playa Mansita, this luxury resort offers every amenity you can imagine.  Click here to book it.
• Hacienda Pinilla ($$$): This luxe beachfront community is home to many vacation rental homes and villas, as well as the JW Marriott. On-site, you’ll have access to their tennis/pickleball courts, 18-hole world-class golf course, fitness center, biking trails, beach club, horse stables, and so much more. I highly recommend booking a beach villa here and staying for a week. I have, and it was amazing! Click here to find a vacation rental.
• SoulShine Hotel & Restaurant ($$): This small, family-friendly hotel features cute individual bungalows, a pool area, and an Israeli-inspired café. This hotel is a 5-minute drive from Playa Avellanas. Click here to book it.
• Cabinas Las Olas ($): These basic surf cottages have everything you need for a comfortable, budget-friendly stay – yes, even AC. There’s a surf shop and restaurant, plus beach access via a boardwalk through the mangroves. Click here to book it.

How to Get to Playa Avellanas

Getting to Playa Avellanas is easy. You can fly directly into Liberia International Airport from hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Miami, and New York, just to name a few… 

From Liberia Airport, it’s a 1.5-hour drive to Playa Avellanas.

If necessary, you can also fly in/out of the Tico capital, San José. But it’s a 4-hour drive, at least, to Playa Avellanas.

Once you land at either airport, rental cars or private shuttles are the best way to get here!

Rental Car

I recommend renting a car for your entire trip. Arrange to pick up/drop off your rental at the airport in Liberia or San José. Click here to find the best deals on rental cars.

Shuttle

Don’t want to drive around Costa Rica? Then book a shuttle!

Contact my friend Héctor, owner of local travel agency Tamarindo Explorer, to arrange private shuttles for reasonable prices. I’ve been on countless trips and airport transfers with him.

From Liberia Airport to Avellanas, expect to pay about $100 USD for a private shuttle. From San José Airport to Avellanas, you’re looking at roughly $300-350. Also, remember, always try to barter on private shuttle prices!

It’s unlikely that you’ll find a shared shuttle to Playa Avellanas. If you’re on a budget, take a shared shuttle to Tamarindo and hop in a pirate taxi to Avellanas.

Taxi from Tamarindo

From Tamarindo or Playa Grande, you can take an unofficial taxi (pirate taxi) one-way to Avellanas for roughly $35-40 USD, whereas an official shuttle van journey will cost around $55-60 USD.

How to Get Around Playa Avellanas

Rental Car

The best way to get around Playa Avellanas is with a rental car. 

An air-conditioned 4X4 SUV is the most comfortable, convenient way to navigate the bumpy dirt roads, heat, long distances between restaurants/things to do, and potential rain in/around Playa Avellanas!

HOT TIP: If you only want a rental car for part of your trip (i.e. for a couple of day trips), you can rent a car at the JW Marriott in Hacienda Pinilla. I have rented from Enterprise/Alamo/National there without issues. Click here to book your rental car.

Motorbike & Golf Cart Rentals

Otherwise, you should rent a motorbike or a golf cart.

You can rent a motorbike and helmet from my good friend Gianni at Salty Rentals, located at Café Corazón in Playa Negra, for about $40 USD/day.

Otherwise, there’s a rental shop within Hacienda Pinilla, called Paradise Cart Rentals, where you can rent golf carts (starting at $65/USD/day; discounts apply for multi-day rentals), ATVs, and motorbikes; they’ll also deliver your vehicle to you for free. I’ve never rented here before.

NOTE: Do NOT rent a motorbike unless you have SIGNIFICANT experience. I have seen many people ruin their surf vacations by crashing. Also, always wear a helmet. And don’t even think about visiting Costa Rica without travel insurance!

Walking

Planning to shuttle in and out? Exploring Playa Avellanas on foot isn’t a great option – unless you’re staying at a beachfront hotel or resort (i.e. the J.W. Marriott or Cabinas Las Olas) within walking distance of restaurants.

But remember, no matter what, walking around on dusty roads in the strong Tico sun is no fun!

Must-Know Avellanas Travel Tips

• If you rent a car, keep in mind there are NO gas stations nearby. The closest one is in Villareal (25 minutes away).
• There is an ATM at the JW Marriott. Otherwise, the closest ATM is in Tamarindo (30 minutes away). Many places are cash only. Almost everything is priced in USD in this area, so if you’re American, you can bring cash from home.
• Purchase travel insurance before you come here. This is an intrepid destination where a lot can go wrong. This opinion comes from lots of first-hand experience! This is the travel insurance I have and recommend.

When is the Best Time to Visit Playa Avellanas?

• High season: Everyone will tell you that the high season, December through April, is the best time to visit because it’s hot, sunny, and dry most days. But that also means that it’s more expensive and crowded. Plus, in April, the area is dry and brown – the opposite of the lush, green rainforest you’d probably expect! The surf is great during this time, thanks to the sunny weather and strong “Papagayo” offshore winds (present December through February) that push swell in from the northwest.
• Early rainy season: My favorite time to visit is between May through August. This is the early part of the rainy season, when the crowds thin, the prices drop, and Guanacaste’s dry tropical rainforest bursts to life. Expect consistent swell and big waves during this time.
• Late rainy season: Avoid September and October. It rains way too much during this time, and many businesses close. The rain starts to let up in November.

READ MORE: Costa Rica Rainy Season: Why it’s Best & What to Know

Playa Avellanas Travel Guide:
Everything You Need to Know

Ready for your beach and surf vacation on the Golden Coast?

With this Playa Avellanas travel guide – including all the best things to do in Playa Avellanas, where to stay, and must-know tips – I’d say you are!

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