Playa Flamingo

A white sanded paradise for the luxury traveler

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Visiting Playa Flamingo

Costa Rica beaches are infamously beautiful, but Playa Flamingo is the kind of beach that stars in your daydreams. One with white sands, clear blue waters and an ambiance of sophisticated elegance. Don’t let the name deceive you, though. You won’t find a large population of flamingos here. Rather, the right weather conditions have been known to turn the sand a beautiful but subtle shade of pink.

Located at only an hour from Liberia’s international airport, Playa Flamingo is part of the Guanacaste province. Unlike the equally beautiful beaches of Coco and Tamarindo, Flamingo doesn’t have an active nightlife. The small town has a few small shops for basic necessities within walking distance and that’s it. You won’t find as many locals here either since the stunning, peaceful surroundings have persuaded many tourists to buy property near the beach. In that sense, Playa Flamingo can offer a real upscale and exclusive feel for those who favor luxury travel during their Costa Rica vacation!

Highlights

Scuba diving

Scuba Diving Costa RicaFlamingo is only a 20 minute boat ride away from the Catalinas Islands where you can experience some of the best scuba diving in the country. These islands are most famous for the Pacific Giant Mantas who are regular visitors. But you are also very likely to see sharks, eels and turtles! You can take a normal diving tour or make it official and combine your trip to Costa Rica with an official PADI certification!

Fishing

Senuelo-Boat-Guanacaste2Fishing enthusiasts can marvel at the wide variety of marine life near the shores of Playa Flamingo. You can opt for inshore fishing at the Catalinas Islands or deep sea fishing at a one hour boat ride away. Inshore you will find species like the rooster, cubera snapper, tuna and wahoo. But if you venture deeper, you will encounter fish like the marlin, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna!

ATV Tours

ATV Tour GuanacasteIf you love an off-road challenge and can’t wait to reach some of those fantastic viewpoints, you will definitely want to take an ATV tour. With the beaches of Potrero, Brasilito and Conchal very close, why not use the ATV to pay a little visit to these friendly neighbors? Make an exciting day of it and combine an ATV tour with some snorkeling, sailing or even a blood-pumping zip line!

Golf at Hacienda Pinilla and Garra de Leon

Hacienda Golf PinillaFor those wanting to wind down with some golf, there are two great options close to Flamingo. You can visit Garra de Leon near Playa Conchal or Hacienda Pinilla near Tamarindo. Spend some time at these amazing locations since they offer more than just golf. Natural beauty, wonderful beaches, acres of ranches to explore… And a chance to see some wildlife!

Sailing tours

Costa Rica SailingCombine a little smooth sailing with snorkeling in the morning or a couple of cocktails with an ocean sunset in the evening. You will be sailing along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast and enjoy several hours away from the bustling beach and on the tranquility of the waters. You can also combine this sailing trip with a fishing or scuba diving tour.

Nearby Beaches

Playa Grande GuanacasteFlamingo is very close to the beaches of Potrero, Brasilito, Conchal but also to Playa Grande and Tamarindo. You can easily spend the day exploring all of these! Travel to Conchal to see the beach made entirely of crushed shells and head to Tamarindo for some incredible surfing experience. You can end the day in Playa Grande and with a little luck, you will be able to see the giant leather-back sea turtle!

Rincon de la Vieja adventure tours

Rincon de la Vieja adventure toursGuanacaste Costa Rica has more to offer than just beautiful beaches! If you would like a little more action, take a tour to the national park of Rincon de la Vieja for some white water tubing and waterfall rappelling! You can end your tour indulging in a mud bath or soaking away in the natural hot springs.

Tips

Visit between January and March:

By visiting during the dry season, you will get most out your beach time and outdoor activities!

Rent a car:

A car is pretty much the best way to explore Costa Rica’s beaches as well as the rest of the country.

Sail towards the sunset:

At Playa Flamingo Costa Rica you can view some amazing sunsets and you will no doubt enjoy it even more while sailing.

Explore other beaches in the area:

Every beach has something unique to offer so it would be a shame to focus on one beach only. Playa Conchal, Playa Grande, Tamarindo, … Take you pick!

Do a day trip:

Book a lovely resort and plan some tours around the whole province!

Getting there

Closest International Airport: Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR)

Costa Rica ShuttlesWith the Daniel Oduber International Airport located in Liberia, getting to Playa Flamingo is very easy. You can fly to Liberia straight from your country to departure and travel to Flamingo from there. Should you travel from San Jose, you can take a domestic flight for around $40, depending on the season. With Liberia laying at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 21, you can also rent a car from San Jose and further your trip 50 km from Liberia to Playa Flamingo. If you prefer to take a private shuttles, it could cost around $200 where shared shuttles will cost you between $50 and $100.

Dining

Costa Rica FoodFlamingo is pretty small and your best dining options will be inside the high end, all inclusive resorts you can book here. There are several resorts around and all of them offer great restaurants like Angelina’s and Marie’s. Here you can enjoy casual and cozy dining as well as a great atmosphere for some cocktails!

Where to stay

Sunset From MargaritavilleAs a leading lifestyle escapism brand, Margaritaville Beach Resort will bring the tropical beach experience right into the resort itself. With a wide range of daily activities, a gorgeous pool and a spa. It is one of the most popular Costa Rica resorts. For a beachfront property with a boutique ambiance, stay at Paradise Flamingo Beach Hotel & Casino. This beach resort will add a generous splash of indulgence to the already luxurious paradise that is Playa Flamingo.

Playa Flamingo - Get Info

Playa Flamingo Map

Playa Flamingo is very conveniently located only 1 hour from the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR).

Click to Enlarge Costa Rica Map

Playa Flamingo Hotels

Enjoy the luxury and comfort of an all-inclusive beach hotel.

Margaritaville Beach Resort

Margaritaville Beach Resort

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From: $200 - $300
Paradise Flamingo Beach Hotel & Casino

Paradise Flamingo Beach Hotel & Casino

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From: $125 - $200

Playa Flamingo Tours

Experience an interesting mix of relaxing activities and exhilarating day trips.

Sportfishing Angelica IV 29′ Feet Boat

Sportfishing Angelica IV 29′ Feet Boat

From: Over $100
Sportfishing Bushwacker 42′ Feet Bertram Boat

Sportfishing Bushwacker 42′ Feet Bertram Boat

Sportfishing Wetass II 31′ Feet Boat

Sportfishing Wetass II 31′ Feet Boat

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