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Small Beach Town along the North Pacific Coast

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kingsroad

3/27/2018 15:10 EST

Hello,

I will be travelling to CR in April for 13 days for the first time to look for Rental in a small beach Community along the North Coast for next January and February, Playa del Coco has been recommended to me so far and I am planning to go there as well as Tamarindo. Are there any other small quaint Beach towns you would recommend I visit? Appreciate any and all replies! Thank so much, Anne

Kohl

3/27/2018 16:06 EST

Neither Playas del Coco nor Tamarindo would be considered to be 'small quaint towns' but suggest you check out as many as possible to see which one fits your needs. In January & February both will be very busy, with the annual influx of visitors.

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kingsroad

3/27/2018 16:12 EST

Hi Kohl,

Thanks for your reply! This will be my first visit to CR, so this is all new to me. Is there a Beach Town you would recommend I make sure to visit? Thanks again, Anne

lindyluvsCR

3/27/2018 16:31 EST

To add what Kohl said - any higher prices.

kingsroad

3/27/2018 16:38 EST

I also heard Samara is nice. Any thoughts on that? First Timer needing some local input. Can not afford really high prices. Love to find a small quaint beach town with a town nearby to buy groceries to spend a couple of months next Winter.. Any suggestions? Appreciate your help! Anne

kingsroad

3/27/2018 16:38 EST

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Kohl

3/27/2018 17:17 EST

Can you give us an idea of what you would pay for rent? Since it is a short time rental, utilities will 'probably' be included, however as previously mentioned this is prime season.

Samara is also a nice beach town....and very popular.

shermanwc

3/27/2018 23:27 EST

I recommend looking at Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, and Samara as moderate size beach towns (small compared to full size CR cities) with decent stores and restaurants conveniently available. You could also look at Playa Grande, Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Playa Hermosa, etc for smaller town options - basically, drive along the coastal towns west and south of Liberia to find the right "vibe" for what you want. We visited several of these towns and Tamarindo in November 2010 and Tamarindo felt like a "small and quaint" beach town to us (during low season). We have lived there 5 years and are happy with our choice, But some time periods are overpopulated with tourists there. You just need to find a town that "feels right".

lindyluvsCR

3/28/2018 09:02 EST

I agree Sherman. A person can have all the facts and pictures, but my experience is that when you are in the right place it 'feels' like home.

I did lots of reading and filtered out by books what I was not looking for in terms of temperature, size etc.

I whittled down to 2 locations and when we came to Grecia, we knew that was it. The first rental we saw that was it. If you know who you are and what you want, it does not take umpteen trips. Same way with first time visitors. Costa Rica is either for you - or not.

Kohl

3/28/2018 09:29 EST

If you intend to utilize the public bus system, check the schedule and see if it suits you, if you have to travel for groceries, etc.

guestuser

3/28/2018 10:58 EST

So true---the idea of moving and renting and moving and renting is not for most people. I mean think about it---what do you do with your house in the States meanwhile, What about your belongings? What about all the money you spend on moving and rent etc. when that could be put towards investment? Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Gill Phelan
www.gvecr.com

MungoDave

3/28/2018 11:49 EST

Although I only spent a week there last Spring,Brasilito is a very nice little beach town.

Kohl

3/28/2018 18:36 EST

We used to go to Playa Brasilito often to visit friends who lived there and enjoyed the 'day trip', but I can't imagine finding enough to keep oneself busy or spending two months there...

Playa Potrero seems to offer more.

CRVacations

3/29/2018 12:42 EST

I would highly recommend going a little further south (about 2 1/2 hours from Liberia airport) to the gorgeous town of Nosara. Actually the beach is Playa Guiones. The way the town is built is really nature friendly. You will not see rows and rows of hotels and condos, but the businesses are all built between the foliage. And the beach is protected by tree line as well. My favorite beach south of Tamarindo. I can help you with hotels if you need assistance. Check out our website at www.costaricavacations.com or email me at I've been here in Guanacaste province for 18 years and know most of the beaches well.

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