Playa Grande is a town in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, just north of Tamarindo. It comprises most of Parque Nacional Marino Laus Baulas, the most important nesting site in Central America for the giant leatherback sea turtle. Here a 5km long stretch of white sand beach backed by a large mangrove estuary that is home to many nesting birds and other wildlife.
Due to laws protecting the nesting site, Playa Grande has remained virtually unchanged by the rapid coastal development that has proliferated along the coast in the area, known as the "Gold Coast" of Costa Rica.
- Giant Leatherback sea turtles laying their eggs.
- The black sand beach at Playa Carbon, which is just around the corner.
- Large lizards wandering around the town, beautiful birds in the treetops
Surf the perfect waves that break along the shores of Playa Grande. If you don't know how to surf you can take surfing lessons at Una Ola Surf Resort. Take a jungle boat tour along the estuary to see crocodiles, monkeys and numerous species of birds. Go fishing, using handlines and casting nets like the locals at the northern end of Playa Grande.
There is no shopping in Playa Grande other than a few surf shops and the grocery store a Las Malinches in the Palm Beach Estates neighborhood on the southern end of Playa Grande.
There are several restaurants in the area that serve local and international cuisines. There is El Huerto, Rip Jack's, Kike's Place, Marbar, Bula Bula, Catarana, Playa Grande Sushi, Las Tortugas and Malinches, which serve lunch and/or dinner.
Kike's Place is the only hotspot for nightlife in Playa Grande, but there are a few other spots to have a drink.