The Top 5 Beaches Near Villa Buena Onda
Five beautiful beaches. Five completely different Costa Rica experiences.
One of the best things about staying at Villa Buena Onda is the location.
Tucked into the hills on the edge of Playas del Coco in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, the villa gives guests the privacy and tranquility of a secluded estate while keeping some of the region’s most beautiful beaches remarkably close.
From the lively shores of Playas del Coco to the white sands and turquoise waters of Playa Flamingo, you can experience a different beach almost every day of your stay. Whether you’re looking for swimming, restaurants, sunsets, surfing, or simply a quiet stretch of sand, there’s a beach nearby for almost every mood.
Here are five of our favorites.
- Playas del Coco
Our Hometown Beach
Just a few minutes from Villa Buena Onda
Playas del Coco isn’t simply the closest beach to Villa Buena Onda — it’s our home.
Villa Buena Onda sits on the edge of town, tucked into the surrounding hills. Guests enjoy the privacy and peaceful atmosphere of the villa while still being just minutes from the beach and the heart of Coco.
Coco is one of Guanacaste’s classic beach towns. Its broad, crescent-shaped bay is framed by hills and dotted with fishing boats and sailboats, giving it a distinctly Costa Rican character.
The beach is perfect for a morning walk, an afternoon by the water, or one of Guanacaste’s spectacular Pacific sunsets. Coco is also a hub for boating, fishing, diving, and sailing excursions.
Just off the beach, you’ll find restaurants, bars, cafés, shops, and plenty of local activity. It’s an especially convenient choice for Villa Buena Onda guests who want to combine a relaxing beach day with lunch, shopping, or an evening out.
And when you’re ready to leave the activity behind, the tranquility of Villa Buena Onda is only a few minutes away.
Best for: Convenience, sunsets, restaurants, boating, fishing, and experiencing a real Guanacaste beach town.
- Playa Hermosa
Calm Water & Easy Swimming
Approximately 6 miles from Villa Buena Onda | About 15 minutes
Just north of Playas del Coco is Playa Hermosa, one of the area’s most beautiful and accessible beaches.
True to its name — hermosa means “beautiful” in Spanish — this long stretch of dark volcanic sand is surrounded by green hills and typically features calm, protected water.
That makes Hermosa particularly appealing for swimming, paddleboarding, and simply relaxing in the ocean. The beach has a quieter atmosphere than Coco but still offers several beachfront restaurants and places to stop for lunch or a drink.
Families often love Hermosa because it combines calm water with easy access and plenty of room to spread out.
It’s close enough to Villa Buena Onda that you can spend a few hours at the beach and still be back at the villa in time for an afternoon by the infinity pool.
Best for: Swimming, families, calm water, paddleboarding, and a relaxed beach day.
- Playa Ocotal
A Secluded Beach with a Special Local Feel
Approximately 5 miles from Villa Buena Onda | About 15 minutes
Just south of Playas del Coco, you’ll find Playa Ocotal — a smaller, more secluded beach with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Surrounded by hills and tucked into a sheltered cove, Ocotal feels a world away from the busier beach towns nearby. Its dark volcanic sand, rocky shoreline, and beautiful setting make it a favorite for guests looking for a quieter beach experience.
One of the special things about Ocotal is Father Rooster’s, a distinctive beachfront bar and restaurant right on the sand. It’s the kind of place that makes a beach day feel less like an excursion and more like discovering one of those memorable little spots you’ll talk about long after you leave Costa Rica.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the water, enjoy a drink or lunch at Father Rooster’s, and take in the surrounding hills and Pacific views. And because Ocotal is only about 15 minutes from Villa Buena Onda, there’s no need to spend your day driving to find a beautiful, peaceful beach.
Best for: Seclusion, relaxing by the water, Father Rooster’s, beautiful scenery, and a laid-back beach day.
- Playa Flamingo
White Sand & Turquoise Water
Approximately 22 miles from Villa Buena Onda | About 40–45 minutes
For a classic tropical beach experience, Playa Flamingo is well worth the drive.
Flamingo is famous for its pale sand, clear blue water, and sweeping Pacific views. It’s one of the most visually striking beaches in this part of Guanacaste and has long been one of Costa Rica’s premier beach destinations.
The area is also home to Marina Flamingo, making it a major departure point for sport fishing, sailing, and private boating excursions.
Spend the morning on the beach, enjoy lunch overlooking the water, and make an afternoon of exploring the surrounding coastline.
Flamingo offers a slightly more polished resort atmosphere than Coco or Ocotal while still retaining the relaxed character that makes Guanacaste so special.
Best for: White sand, beautiful water, sailing, sport fishing, and a full beach-day excursion.
- Tamarindo
Surfing, Restaurants & a Lively Beach Scene
Approximately 30 miles from Villa Buena Onda | About 1 hour
If you want to experience one of Costa Rica’s most famous beach towns, take a day trip to Tamarindo.
Tamarindo is known internationally for surfing, but you certainly don’t have to surf to enjoy it. The long sandy beach is great for walking and swimming, while the town offers one of the largest selections of restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and nightlife in Guanacaste.
For beginners who have always wanted to try surfing, Tamarindo is also an easy place to arrange a lesson.
It has a distinctly livelier and more international feel than the beaches immediately surrounding Villa Buena Onda — which is precisely what makes it such a fun day trip.
Enjoy Tamarindo for the day, watch the sunset over the Pacific, and then return to the privacy and quiet of Villa Buena Onda.
Best for: Surfing, shopping, restaurants, people-watching, and a full-day excursion.
Five Beaches. Five Different Experiences.
One of the pleasures of visiting Guanacaste is discovering that no two beaches feel exactly alike.
You can start your morning at Playas del Coco, just minutes from Villa Buena Onda. Swim in the calm waters of Playa Hermosa. Escape to the secluded setting of Playa Ocotal and enjoy an afternoon at Father Rooster’s. Spend a day on the beautiful sands of Playa Flamingo. Or experience the famous surf-town atmosphere of Tamarindo.
And you don’t have to choose just one.
With Villa Buena Onda as your private home base, some of Costa Rica’s most memorable Pacific beaches are within easy reach — while your infinity pool, spa, chef, and peaceful hillside retreat are waiting for you when you return.
That’s one of the things we love most about our corner of Guanacaste: the beach you want today is probably just down the road.
Villa Buena Onda
One villa. One group. One seamless Costa Rica experience.
