There are a few beaches to pick from in Bahia Salinas, Costa Rica, in the far northwest corner of the Guanacaste Province and bordering Nicaragua.

There are plenty of things to do in Bahia Salinas, and one activity that is gaining more and more participants all the time is kitesurfing. Bahia Salinas frequently garners winds of 25 mph making it a top spot to strap on a board, harness and kite whereby you can propel yourself along the water. Other recreation activities of the area include sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking to isla bolaños and taking long walks on the exceptional stretches of uncrowded beach. Kitesurfing, however, is the focal point for the bay of Salinas.

A packing list for Bahia Salinas might consist of a kite (for kiteboarding or just to fly), a swimsuit, a camera, a board (boogie, surf or wake), a fishing pole, a beach ball and maybe a Frisbee or two. The area can play well to a number of interests. Maybe you would just care to lay out in a hammock and read, or you could try out the sea with some fancy scuba gear.

A few of the beaches that line the Bay of Salinas include Playa Copal, Playa Papaturro, Playa Rajada and Playa Pochotes. Along any number of these beaches you may find accommodations which range from upscale resorts to little bed and breakfasts, hostels and cabina hideaways. Several of the area hotels include Ecoplaya Beach Resort, Bob’s Cometa Copal, Villas El Recreo Resort and Blue Dream Hotel. Many of Kitesurfing schools offer accommodations, also.

Salinas is reachable via shuttle, taxi, bus or rental car from both the international airports and the capital. From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica, Bahia Salinas is one hour and eleven minutes away. Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela is four hours and twelve minutes afar, and San Jose is six hours and two minutes.

The best time of the year to head to Salinas for kiteboarding is from November to May when the winds are at their strongest. There are a number of schools that offer lessons off the beach of Copal. Among the schools you might look to there is Vista Copal, Kite House and Kitesurf School 2000.

Location: Bahia Salinas
Items to bring: kite, swimsuit, camera, board, fishing pole, beach ball, Frisbee, hammock, scuba gear
Distance from San Jose: 6 hrs and 2 mins
Distance from Liberia: 1 hr 11mins
Hotels nearby: Ecoplaya Beach Resort, Bob’s Cometa Copal, Villas El Recreo Resort and Blue Dream Hotel
Ways to get here: private shuttle, taxi, tour bus, rental car