You may or may not hear the term Gold Coast of Costa Rica as much as you might have in the past, but with such a legendary title, we’d thought we’d be sure you know you’re on to something if you’re thinking a visit might be in the near future for you and perhaps your family or friends.
Since we’ve been hosting guests in our Tamarindo vacation rentals and surrounding beaches such as Playa Conchal, Langosta, Playa Grande, and within Hacienda Pinilla, we want to share with you what makes the area so special, through the eyes of thousands of our guests over the years.
Where Is Costa Rica’s Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast of Costa Rica is in the northern part of the country on the Pacific Ocean, at the top of the Nicoya Peninsula and not too far from the border with Nicaragua.
All of this stretch of coast falls within Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, known for its tropical dry forest climate, less rain than other parts of the country, and cowboy culture. Many people ask us about the Tamarindo Costa Rica weather, and it’s amazing all year.
Perhaps the most famous American to have a shared story with the area is Pat Pattillo, developer of Hacienda Pinilla. Former President and Nobel Prize Winner Oscar Arias also is closely associated with the area, with his family sugar cane plantations near Liberia.
You would never think it, but there’s also a space exploration company in the area, which more recently has shifted to solving earthly environmental problems. Ad Adstra Rocket Company, founded by Costa Rican astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz is between the airport and the coast.
Was There Gold at the Gold Coast?
Costa Rica means “Rich Coast.” Puerto Rico means “Rich Port.” Many locations with variations of rich and gold in their names carried them forward from colonial times.
But unlike other locations, there was never gold in the area or even a colonial settlement of note.
The area was underdeveloped until the early 90s and really boomed for the first time in the early 2000s, just before the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, when speculative real estate investment in the area took off.
Since then, the country has put substantial investment into what used to be gravel roads that were unpassable without a 4×4 for the rainy season in past years.
Those days are past and what people come to the Gold Coast for these days is amazing beach time, incredible wildlife viewing, and every outdoor activity you can think of.
How Do You Get to Costa Rica’s Gold Coast?
So you guessed it. A lot of Gold Coast visitors arrive in the area via Daniel Oduber International Airport. There’s also a local airport in Tamarindo.
The drive down the mountains from San Jose to the Tamarindo area is also quite scenic and takes about 4 hours.
You’ll find the major rental car brands at both of Costa Rica’s international airports.
If you prefer not to drive, you can grab a local shuttle directly to the door of your Tamarindo vacation rental or homes in Hacienda Pinilla.
For some of our more off-the-beaten-path vacation rentals in Playa Conchal or Avellanas, we’ll meet you and drive with you directly to the property.
What Should You Do on Your First Visit?
There’s so much to do! But don’t forget to rest and relax. Ticos (Costa Ricans) live the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, which means “Pure Life” or a more relaxed approach to life than more frenetic neighbors from North America, Europe, and Asia.
So don’t forget to relax! If you go back home without being in a relaxed state of mind, you haven’t done your job. We provide property management in Hacienda Pilla, Playa Grande, and Playa Conchal as well.
But seriously…Costa Rica is outdoor activity heaven. Here are some ideas for you:
- Surf Lessons – The Gold Coast has waves and beaches for all skill levels: Beginner waves at Tamarindo. Huge waves at Playa Grande and Playa Negra. Famous waves at Little Hawaii, Witch’s Rock, and Ollie’s Point. Did you know Endless Summer II was partially filmed in Tamarindo?
- Ziplines/Canopy Tours – Another idea for those that like a little adrenaline, a canopy tour adventure will have you zooming between trees with panoramic views in all directions and the chance to see Howler Monkeys up close.
- Sailing/Booze Cruises – Whether you want a family snorkeling experience a more adult, open bar experience, you have plenty of choices leaving from Tamarindo Bay and the Flamingo Marina. You’ll see Dolphins and have a good chance to see Whales in season. If you snorkel, you can check out local reefs and spot Parrot and many other species of fish.
- ATVs – Want to get dirty? Get an ATV tour of the backcountry of the Gold Coast. Head down the dirt road into Avellanas or other areas and see the local communities, cattle ranches, and amazing flora and fauna.
- Massages & Spa Treatments – Costa Rica has full day spas and you’ll also find massages available on an hourly basis in Tamarindo and Flamingo and on the beaches at Tamarindo, Langosta, and other areas.
Want more ideas? Check out a full list of Costa Rica activities here.
What Are the Gold Coast Beaches Like?
More California than Florida, Costa Rican beaches are sandy between rocky volcanic outcroppings. The water is warm all year round, however.
If you plan on surfing, you can rent shorty wetsuits but most people just wear a swimsuit and a rashguard.
We mentioned waves of different sizes. You’ll also find completely sheltered beaches like the Southern end of Playa Conchal, which makes it a great place for snorkeling from the beach.
If you want amenities, you can book a day at the beach clubs in Tamarindo or Langosta and use their bar, cabanas, and swimming pools, or choose one of our vacation rentals with similar amenities.
If you’re looking for an isolated beach, head to Playa Ventana on the north end of Tamarindo Bay and head around the point to Playa Carbon. Our Hacienda Pinilla guests will find more people in font of Avellanas at the beach club, but Playa Mansita is always very quiet.
You can also drive to Bahia Las Piratas or Playa Minas, hidden between Playa Grande and Playa Conchal.
Remember: all beaches in Costa Rica are public!
Who Will You Find in the Gold Coast?
Seasonal tourism is a big deal. You’ll see swings in tourist demographics based on what’s happening in home countries. Europeans visit throughout the year and are more likely to take advantage of rainy season.
North American college students visit during Spring Break and Summer Break.
Families from all over the world visit over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Costa Rican families from San Jose love to visit the coast during Semana Santa.
In terms of permanent residents, you’ll find Tamarindo and Playa Grande to be more of a cultural melting pot and trend more towards younger folks, in part due to the popularity of surfing. It’s also always been popular with the laptop class. With Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa, that trend will only accelerate.
Brasilito, Flamingo, and Potrero have always had a strong North American retiree population.
What Else Is Special About the Gold Coast?
With amazing food driven by a cosmopolitan local population. Tamarindo is a melting pot of cultures.
Combine cuisine from all over the world with incredible local seafood and produce, and you have some of the most amazing food options in the world. We have a list of top Tamarindo restaurants if you need some ideas.
We encourage you to try some restaurants while you’re visiting, and we’ll be happy to tell you how to find the local seafood trucks in each of our areas. If you’re looking for nightlife in Tamarindo, you’ll find many options.
You’ll also find a number of great restaurants in Playa Grande and past Playa Conchal in Brasilito and Potrero.
Did we mention the culture? It’s really a special place. With tourism being the primary driver of the local economy and a strong expat population having settled in the area over the last 30 years, you’ll find a unique place where you can feel free to ask a complete stranger for directions and English is spoken by pretty much everyone.
Did you have a question about the Gold Coast that we didn’t cover above? Feel free to drop it in the comments or send us a chat.
Pura Vida!
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