Visiting Playa Junquillal In Guanacaste Costa Rica
Playa Junquillal is a beautiful quiet beach village in Guanacaste, with just a few hotels and restaurant options. It’s just 45 minutes south of the bustling beach town Tamarindo, so it’s a great alternative for those looking to escape crowds.
I stayed in Playa Junquillal for two nights, after staying in Tamarindo and really enjoyed how peaceful it was. This article will cover where to stay in Playa Junquillal, what to do, and the best nearby beaches to relax at.
Here is everything you should know before staying in Playa Junquillal.
Where is Playa Junquillal?
Playa Junquillal is around 45 minutes south of Tamarindo, and 1.5 hours south of the Liberia airport. To get to Playa Junquillal, you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle since the roads are well-paved. It’s a very short and scenic drive from Tamarindo.
Playa Junquillal At A Glance
The town of Playa Junquillal consists of a few hotels, restaurants, and one main supermarket. With it being so small, everything is within walking distance. I visited in early November, and there were hardly any other tourists.
So, I was able to walk from the hotel to the beach, and continue walking along the beach for the most peaceful walks.
The beach has long stretches of dark sand, fringed with coconut palm trees, and beautiful sunsets. The waves are very strong so it’s not safe for swimming, which is part of the reason why it remains so uncrowded.
Just up the street from the beach, you can dine out at Restaurante Lochito’s, La Ventana del Surfista, or any of the hotel’s restaurants to enjoy seafood and cocktails.
There are only two supermarkets in town, the Junquillal Supermarket, and Mini Super Campeon. They’re small and can be expensive, so I recommend getting groceries outside of town before you arrive.
Additionally, there’s no gas stations in town. The closest place to refuel is in Santa Cruz, 20 minutes away.
Where To Stay In Playa Junquillal
Junquillal has three main hotels, the Guacamaya Lodge, Mundo Milo Eco Lodge, and Tides Oceanfront Resort. All of these hotels have onsite restaurants, pools, and are within walking distance from the beach.
There are also a variety of luxurious vacation rentals available in Junquillal on Airbnb and VRBO.
- Guacamaya Lodge: Rustic hotel with restaurant, swimming pool, and beautiful grounds
- Mundo Milo Eco Lodge: Eco lodge with restaurant, swimming pool, and free breakfast
- Tides Oceanfront Resort: Beachfront hotel with restaurant, swimming pool, and free breakfast
Guacamaya Lodge Review
I stayed at the Guacamaya Lodge in Junquillal for two nights. This is a small rustic hotel with clean rooms, a large swimming pool, and an onsite restaurant and bar.
The hotel had beautiful grounds and lots of outdoor space for lounging.
I really enjoyed relaxing by the pool area, and it was less than a 5 minute walk from the beach. Prior to staying here, I stayed at Best Western Tamarindo. There’s a world of difference between Junquillal and Tamarindo in terms of quietness and overall peacefulness of the environment.
I also had my laundry done at Guacamaya Lodge (for around $15), which was super convenient. If you’re looking for somewhere clean and quiet to stay, this is the place to go.
Things To Do In Playa Junquillal
My favorite things to do in Junquillal were lounging by the hotel pool, and going for long peaceful walks on the beach. But, while exploring around the area, I discovered the Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery, and a few amazing nearby beaches.
Here are some of the best places to check out around Junquillal.
Playa Junquillal
If you want to go for long walks on the beach, head to Playa Junquillal. I walked for miles on this beach and it was nearly empty, with the exception of a few local families.
On the far south end of the beach, there’s extensive tide pools you can explore when the tide is low.
This is also an amazing beach to watch the sunset.
Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery
The Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery is a small sea turtle hatchery located on the shores of Playa Junquillal. Their organization helps protect sea turtles during the nesting process, and they host turtle workshops during nesting season.
During these workshops, you can watch baby sea turtles hatch and be released into the ocean!
Playa Negra
Playa Negra is a gorgeous black sand beach, just 15 minutes north of Junquillal. By the beach, there’s a surf shop, restaurant, and the Hotel Playa Negra.
This area was slightly more crowded than Junquillal when I visited, and there’s a few more cafe and restaurant options in town.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a hidden white sand beach, just 5 minutes north of Playa Junquillal. This beach has powdery white sand, and strong waves so it’s not ideal for swimming, but it’s the most beautiful beach I’ve seen in Costa Rica.
This is the perfect place to sunbathe or set up a picnic on the beach. It’s very easy to get to, and there’s a small free dirt parking lot by the beach.
Playa Junquillal Map
Playa Junquillal FAQs
How far is Playa Junquillal from Tamarindo?
Playa Junquillal is just 45 minutes south of Tamarindo.
Is it better to stay in Playa Junquillal or Tamarindo?
If you prefer staying in a bustling surfing beach town with many shops and restaurants, you’ll want to stay in Tamarindo. But if you want to relax away from crowds and don’t mind limited restaurant options, Junquillal is a fantastic option.
The main strip of Tamarindo is lined with shops, farmer’s markets, grocery stores, and restaurants. Whereas Junquillal is limited to just a few hotels and restaurants.
Additionally, Tamarindo Beach is more suitable for swimming and surfing, whereas Junquillal has very strong waves.
Is Playa Junquillal family-friendly?
Playa Junquillal is very family-friendly and safe, but there’s not as many activities for kids.
A better family-friendly beach town to consider staying at is Playa Samara (1 hour south of Junquillal). It has a relaxed environment like Junquillal, but it offers more activities like surfing lessons, horseback riding, and snorkeling on the beach.
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