Playa Junquillal

Playa Junquillal is situated 30 km west of Santa Cruz and 20 km south of Tamarindo. Found in the North Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste province, you can reach this beautiful beach either from Villareal or from Santa Cruz.

With a quiet and serene environment, Playa Junquillal is a three kilometer beach strip that is unlike any other on the Guanacaste Gold Coast. Backed by lovely grasslands, the beach here is mostly empty with just a few hotels and restaurants in Playa Junquillal.


The perfect escape, if you wish to avoid the humdrum and noise of the other beaches, Playa Junquillal is a short distance away from the village of Junquilla. This beach is great for a tranquil stroll alone or with your partner, as the sunsets here are quite spectacular. Not the best beach for swimming as the waters here tend to be very rough, Playa Junquillal has some nice surfing spots as well as an estuary in the area. For those who prefer some action, activities such as horseback riding, deep sea fishing, and snorkeling are available too.

Often called one of the province’s best kept secrets, Playa Junquillal is a pristine beach with fantastic surroundings. If you are the outdoorsy type, camping out under the stars is a fun option. You can also rent mountain bikes and view the lovely environs, or take a horseback ride along the beach strip. Keep a look out for monkeys, turtles and a variety of butterflies and birds that live in the area. There is plenty to explore, and you can additionally explore the immediate dry tropical forests on foot or enjoy some fishing or diving if you get bored.

You can take a trip to nearby Playa Avellana or Playa Negra from some excellent surfing opportunities or visit the Parque Nacional Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste, a national marine park that is just north in Tamarindo. If you are on vacation to get a way from it all, this beach is just right as it is secluded yet easily accessible at the same time.