Playa Avellana is on the Pacific coast in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This beach has all the makings of a wind-swept hidden oasis where the sea meets an untouched landscape.

This beach is not populated with roving crowds of tourists, because it is more of an off the beaten track locale for surfers. In fact, most of the local hotels and cabins are on the smaller side and catering to the surf lifestyle. There are a number of surf camps that operate out of this area. These camps frequently offer surf lessons, room and board and transportation to and from the beach.

Reaching Playa Avellana is not for the faint of heart if taking the long hard walk from the most nearby town of Tamarindo or the JW Marriot Guanacaste Resort & Spa at Playa Mansita a few clicks north of Playa Avellana. If you do decide to venture out on your own from this location, you might be well advised to rent a bicycle, taxi or rental car. Some of the other guest houses and hotels which you could pick to stay in are Surf Camp Mediterraneo, Las Avellanas Villas, Hotel Punta Islita and the highly rated Crystal Azul.

For the trip, you’ll need to bring all the amenities you might see fit to have in an area where you won’t find a shop for some miles (kilos). A packing list might consist of snacks, neoprene boots and a wetsuit, sun block, a water bottle and a change of clothes.

Once there you’ll be able to fill your schedule with waves and paddling. Let the buyer beware, though, that some of the break points are far more difficult than a novice or intermediate rider should attempt. El Parqueo and La Pala breaks might be more suitable to surfers with less experience. Do not endeavor to take on Little Hawaii or El Estero de Avellanas without a fair amount of rides already under your belt, like 800.

Playa Avellana is around an hour and twenty to an hour and forty five minutes from Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica. It is around four hours from Juan Santamaria International Airport in Alajuela, Costa Rica, and about six hours to the capital, San Jose.

Beach: Playa Avellana
Location: Guanacaste, Playa Avellana Location
Items to bring: snacks, neoprene boots and a wetsuit, sun block, a water bottle, a change of clothes
Distance from San Jose: 5 hrs 44 mins, or 6 hrs 4 mins (depending on the route taken)
Distance from Liberia: 1 hr 45 mins
Hotels nearby: JW Marriot Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Surf Camp Mediterraneo, Las Avellanas Villas, Hotel Punta Islita, Crystal Azul