At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- About 4 hours on the paved road via Paquera and Nicoya. The coast road is a dry-season 4x4 route with river crossings
- From Liberia airport (LIR)
- About 2¼ hours, paved all the way via Nicoya and Sámara
- Swimming
- Calm: rocky headlands shelter the bay on both sides. Watch children, as on any beach
- Best for
- Families with young kids; couples who want a beautiful, quiet swim; picnics
- Facilities
- Nothing on the sand. Shady parking under the palms; hotels, shops and restaurants in the village up the hill
- Getting there
- 8 km south of Sámara on a paved road; see our Sámara and Carrillo guide
- Surf
- Mostly flat: surfers and learners go to Sámara or Camaronal
What is Playa Carrillo like?
Postcard Costa Rica: a wide crescent of light sand, turquoise water and a long row of palms, with rocky headlands at each end and no hotels, bars or houses on the beach. A two-lane road runs behind the palms, and you park in their shade. Nearby, Puerto Carrillo, the area's sportfishing port, sits in a rocky cove; the village with most of the hotels, shops and restaurants is up the hill.
Can you swim at Playa Carrillo?
Yes. The headlands shelter the bay on both sides, so the water is calm and well suited to swimming, and the surf is mostly flat. It's a relaxed place for young children to play at the water's edge; keep them within reach all the same, and follow any posted signs.
Insider tip: Go on a weekday. At weekends and on holidays, Costa Rican families come for picnics under the palms and parking fills up; midweek, Carrillo is far quieter.
When is the best time to go?
December to April for sunshine and dry roads, on a weekday morning for space. In the green season (May to November) you'll often have sunny mornings and rain later in the day; September and October are the wettest months. See the best time to visit.
What's nearby?
- Playa Sámara, 8 km north: the town, restaurants and a reef-calmed bay.
- Playa Camaronal, just south: a turtle refuge beach.
- Punta Islita, farther south: a horseshoe bay and secluded resort.
- Sportfishing trips from Puerto Carrillo.
Where should you stay near Playa Carrillo?
- Families: Hotel Leyenda, above Puerto Carrillo, has a kids' water playground and family suites. Or stay in Sámara, which is walkable, and drive down for the day.
- Couples: a small hotel or rental in Carrillo's hillside village for quiet and views, or Hotel Punta Islita down the coast.
Nearby beaches
Frequently asked questions
Is Playa Carrillo good for swimming?
Yes. Rocky headlands shelter the bay on both sides, so the water is calm and the surf mostly flat. It's one of the easiest swims on the peninsula for families.
Are there restaurants on Playa Carrillo?
Not on the beach itself: nothing is built on the sand. Restaurants, shops and hotels are in the village up the hill and in Sámara, 8 km north. Bring water and snacks for a beach day.
Playa Carrillo or Playa Sámara?
Carrillo is quieter and more scenic, with no buildings on the beach. Sámara has the town, restaurants and activities. Both have calm water; stay in one and spend a day at the other.
How far is Playa Carrillo from Santa Teresa?
About 4 hours on the paved road via Paquera and Nicoya. In the dry season, the coast road is shorter for a 4x4, but it crosses rivers without bridges. See Santa Teresa to Sámara.