Costa Rica · Guanacaste
Places with access rules, seasons or closures worth knowing before you go.
NatureClosed or prohibited
Barra Honda has over 40 caves, including Santa Ana, the deepest (about 240 m), and Nicoa, with pre-Columbian remains.
Closed to tourism: SINAC says only Terciopelo Cave is open to the public, as it is the only one suitable for inexperienced visitors. Do the guided Terciopelo descent instead.
Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Barra Honda · 2026 · +2
AdventureRestricted access
Guided descent with gear into the only Barra Honda cave open to the public, with limestone stalactites and stalagmites.
You must hire the SINAC-authorised local guide association; minimum age 12 and non-slip shoes. Under-13s can do a tour of “la cuevita”, a small cave. It may be suspended because of rain.
Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Barra Honda · 2026 · +1
Nearby: Barra Honda National Park: viewpoint and trails (1.4 km) · Other Barra Honda caves (Santa Ana, Nicoa, La Trampa) (2.2 km)
Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Barra Honda · Wikipedia – Barra Honda National Park
Find tours(external link) Link to an external platform. Prices, schedules and availability are set by each operator.WildlifeSeasonal
Guided viewing of nesting leatherbacks at Playa Grande, Ventanas and Langosta, the reason the national park was created.
Only in nesting season (SINAC: October to February; its English page gives 20 October to 15 February), with an authorised guide, groups of up to 15 and no photos. Few leatherbacks nest today and you may see none; outside the season, consider the olive ridley arribadas at Ostional.
Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas · 2026 · +2
Tip: Wear long trousers for mosquitoes and do not bring a white torch: only red-filtered light is allowed.
Nearby: Playa Grande (1.5 km) · Tamarindo Estuary boat tour (1.9 km) · Playa Ventanas (2.2 km)
Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas · SINAC – Las Baulas National Marine Park · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo
Find tours(external link) Link to an external platform. Prices, schedules and availability are set by each operator.WaterSeasonal
Advanced diving at the Bat Islands, inside Santa Rosa National Park’s marine sector, known for bull sharks.
Bull shark season runs from May to October according to a Coco dive centre; the boat ride is long and depends on sea conditions. SINAC says the marine sector is reached only by sea and asks you to check whether it is open. Out of season, dive the Catalinas or the Papagayo sites.
Source: Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands · 2026 · +3
Tip: It is for divers experienced with currents and deep water.
Sources: Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands · Rich Coast Diving – Playas del Coco dive trips · SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · Wikipedia – Islas Murciélago
Find tours(external link) Link to an external platform. Prices, schedules and availability are set by each operator.AdventureRestricted access
World-famous break off Playa Naranjo in Santa Rosa National Park; surfers usually arrive by boat.
SINAC describes it as an experts-only wave. Land access needs a 4x4 on a very rough 12 km road; the marine sector is reached only by sea and SINAC asks you to confirm it is open. If you are a beginner, surf Tamarindo or Playa Hermosa instead.
Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · 2026 · +1
Nearby: Playa Naranjo (Santa Rosa) (2.3 km) · Santa Rosa National Park and La Casona (9 km) · Murciélago sector (Santa Rosa) (13.1 km)
Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Rosa National Park
Find tours(external link) Link to an external platform. Prices, schedules and availability are set by each operator.NatureRestricted access
Wild beach in the Santa Rosa sector with a campground, trails by the mangrove and viewpoints, facing Witch’s Rock.
4x4 only, on a 12 km road with rocks and ruts; a 2025 guide advises avoiding it from June to November. Reaching the beach on the Aceituno trail means crossing a lagoon with crocodiles. Without a 4x4, stay at La Casona and the Indio Desnudo trail.
Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · 2026 · +1
Tip: Along the road there are viewpoints and short trails (Los Patos, 1 km; Mirador Valle Naranjo, 0.6 km each way).
Nearby: Witch’s Rock (Peña Bruja) by boat (2.3 km) · Santa Rosa National Park and La Casona (8.5 km)
Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Santa Rosa National Park
NatureRestricted access
A small refuge next to Playa Conchal with self-guided trails through dry forest, mangrove and the Puerto Viejo estuary lagoon.
Open only Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00–12:00, arranged by phone or email (SINAC). If the days do not fit, spend the morning at Playa Conchal instead.
Source: SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Conchal · 2026
Nearby: Conchal Beach (1.2 km) · Playa Brasilito (2.9 km) · Playa Flamingo (4.8 km)
Sheltered bays where the sea is usually calm; even so, none has permanent lifeguards.
From lessons on Tamarindo’s small waves to experts-only breaks in Santa Rosa.
Wetlands, mangroves and dry forest for crocodiles, monkeys, waterbirds and turtles.
Boat trips from Coco, Flamingo and Tamarindo to islands, bays and deep water.
Waterfalls, caves, history and crafts less than two hours from the coast.
Public beaches, towns and waterfalls that cost little or nothing.