Costa Rica
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People on rocks beside breaking waves at sunset in Santa Teresa.

Costa Rica · Nosara & Santa Teresa

Free on the peninsula

Public beaches, tide pools, trails and a market that cost nothing.

8 places

  1. 1

    BeachOpen

    Playa Barrigona

    West of Sámara, on a dirt road20.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A beach of very white sand and deep-blue water north of Sámara, considered by many the prettiest in the area, with no facilities.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Sámara · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: The road is dirt and a 4x4 is advisable in the rainy season. Bring everything you need.

    Nearby: Samara Trails and viewpoint (5.2 km) · Sámara farmers market (5.2 km) · Playa Garza (7 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Sámara

  2. 2

    BeachOpen

    Playa Pelada

    North of Guiones, Nosara34.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Small light-sand beach with rock formations in Nosara, with a blowhole and tide pools; good for sunsets.

    Source: SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Wikivoyage considers it better for swimming than its neighbours, but other sources do not confirm it: ask about the day’s conditions.

    Nearby: Horseback ride in Nosara (0 km) · Nosara biological reserve trails (1.2 km) · Yoga in Nosara and Santa Teresa (1.5 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · Wikivoyage – Nosara

  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    Mal País tide pools

    Mal País, down an unmarked dirt road south of Santa Teresa34.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A rocky shelf with pools of different sizes full of tropical fish, crabs and urchins, to explore at low tide.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Mal País tide pools · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Go at low tide (check a tide chart) and wear water shoes because of urchins. Park where you can see the car and leave no valuables.

    Nearby: Playa Carmen (0.9 km) · ATVs in Santa Teresa and Mal País (2.8 km) · Surf schools in Santa Teresa (3.2 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Mal País tide pools

  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    El Chorro Waterfall

    Between Montezuma and Tambor43.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A waterfall that pours straight into the sea on a beach north of Montezuma, reached on foot, on horseback or with a short hike after driving.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Check the tide before you go: walking along the beach is easier at low tide.

    Nearby: Playa Tambor (3.6 km) · Montezuma village and beach (5.6 km) · Montezuma Waterfalls (6.5 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Montezuma · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Tambor

  5. 5

    NatureOpen

    Nosara biological reserve trails

    Between Playa Pelada and the Nosara river35.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A network of about 9 km (5.6 miles) of trails through protected forest by the Nosara river, for monkeys and birds near the beach.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Go early because of the heat and bring repellent.

    Nearby: Playa Pelada (1.2 km) · Horseback ride in Nosara (1.2 km) · Nosara river trip (1.8 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning

  6. 6

    FoodOpen

    Sámara farmers market

    Sámara village16.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    7:00–14:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A weekly market with local produce, food and crafts in Sámara village.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Sámara · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Hours
    Saturdays 7:00–14:00 (September 2026).

    Nearby: Samara Trails and viewpoint (0 km) · Playa Sámara (2.1 km) · Dolphin watching and snorkel in Sámara (2.1 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Sámara

  7. 7

    BeachOpen

    Playa Nosara

    North of Nosara, towards Ostional36.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A quiet grey-sand beach north of Pelada, next to the Nosara river mouth.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Crocodiles have been seen near the Nosara river mouth after heavy rain (Tico Times, January 2026).

    Nearby: Nosara biological reserve trails (1.9 km) · Olive ridley arribadas at Ostional (2.2 km) · Nosara river trip (2.6 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Nosara trip planning · SINAC – Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional · Tico Times – Crocodiles share waves with surfers

  8. 8

    BeachOpen

    Playa Carrillo

    Route 160, 5 min south-east of Sámara13.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    An undeveloped cove with palm trees, clear water and usually gentle waves, five minutes from Sámara.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Carrillo · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: You park along Route 160. There are almost no facilities: bring water and food.

    Nearby: Playa Sámara (1.5 km) · Dolphin watching and snorkel in Sámara (1.5 km) · Isla Chora kayak and snorkel (1.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Carrillo · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Sámara

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