Playa Azul

Stunning Playa Azul, named for its mile long stretch of dark, almost cobalt blue sand and glittering azure sea, is one of Costa Rica’s most exclusive and secluded gems.

Playa Azul is worlds away from the more developed beach Resorts further up the coast. This tranquil, tropical haven, surrounded by lush, verdant forest, is a virtual paradise for those really wanting to ‘get away from it all’. This is the perfect place to relax the day away. Visualize yourself wandering the pristine, solitary beach, listening to the Howler Monkeys, watching the waves crash against the shore, seeing the spectacular sunset light fire to the sky, indulging in a swim, some fishing, early morning Bird Watching, or a leisurely Horseback ride along the shore.

This off the beaten track, remote area of Guanacaste has only recently opened up to tourists. Improvements in transportation and accessibility have led to the development of some of the most luxurious, upscale accommodations in the country. There are no salesmen, hordes of sunbathers or noisy discos to contend with here!

There are very few amenities at Playa Azul itself, as the main attractions are its isolated, unspoiled beauty, and the Sanctuary Resort and Spa. This resort is an exclusive new development that overlooks the ocean and is set in 80 acres of protected forest with lush, landscaped gardens.

The resort offers a range of accommodations, from one-bedroom suites to condos and family Villas. It also features a health spa, infinity pool, five star restaurant, and a range of activities that include jungle tours, kayaking, horseback riding, sports fishing and snorkeling.

Just a few miles to the north, the once sleepy fishing village of Marbella is now a popular Surfing destination that is known for its consistent, world-class breaks.

Picturesque San Juanillo lies just two miles south of Playa Azul and is the starting point for several sports fishing and dive charters. It is also a great place to find fresh fish and lobster!

Situated 45 minutes -1hour inland are the important towns of Santa Cruz and Nicoya where you will find all the stores, medical and banking facilities you may need. Santa Cruz hosts its annual festival in January where you can see rodeos, dances, music and other local traditions.

Nicoya, the cultural center of the province of Guanacaste, is home to Costa Rica’s oldest church, the Iglesia de San Blas. The church was founded in 1644, and now operates as a small museum. Nicoya also houses the region’s biggest and best-equipped hospital, Hospital La Anexion.

A short drive south towards Nosara lies the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional or the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, one of Costa Rica’s most important sea-turtle nesting sites. Created in 1984, this refuge protects Leatherbacks, Olive Ridley and Green turtles who come ashore to nest at different times of the year. The refuge also safeguards an array of marine wildlife and large colonies of birds.

Turtles nest at Ostional all year round but peak time is during the rainy season from August to December. During these months you may have chance to witness a rare biological wonder – the arribada. Each month, around the third quarter of the moon, thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of Olive Ridley turtles come ashore, en masse, to one specific mile of the beach to dig nests in the black sand and lay their eggs. The largest arribada ever recorded at Ostional was in November 1995 when at least 500,000 females came to nest. During the latter part of the nesting season, October and onwards, you may also see the tiny hatchlings making their way out to sea.

Visitors are welcomed to the refuge at any time for a small entry fee of $6. During an arribada you are only allowed on to the beach when accompanied by a guide, for which there is an extra $7 charge. No flashlights or flash photography is permitted, as it bothers the turtles.

Also close by, just north of Tamarindo at Playa Grande, is the Parque Marino de las Baulas, another nesting area for sea turtles. Established in 1990, this refuge encompasses an area of roughly 450 hectares of coastline and mangrove swamp, and is one of the world’s most significant nesting sites for the endangered Leatherback turtle. These giant, majestic creatures come ashore to nest between November and April. The park is also a great place to spot marine birds, including the White Ibis, the Blue-winged Teal and the Muscovy Duck, as well as monkeys, Coatis and even crocodiles. There is an informative turtle museum on site and night-tours are offered during nesting season.

Playa Azul is situated 33km northwest of Samara, between the small villages of San Juanillo and Marbella. It is accessed by dirt road from Junquillal to the north or Nosara to the south. It is advised to use a four wheel drive vehicle, especially during rainy season.