Camaronal Beach Costa Rica

Location: between Islita and Carrillo beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordinates: 9.863747, -85.44445 (9°51’49.49″N, 85°26’40.02″W)
Canton: Nandayure, district: Zapotal.
Zone postal code: 50903.

Camaronal Beach Costa Rica: grayish sand beach and blue waters, declared as National Wildlife Refuge since 1994, as its beach is one of the main places of nesting Pacific Ridley Turtles, as well as Green and Leatherback turtles.

Camaronal beach has a view that includes hills of volcanic origin covered with lush vegetation, mainly at the mouth of Ora River, where mangrove vegetation predominates. Equally, the beach has a large number of crabs, nerites, snails, chitons and other marine creatures. Also, its moderate to strong waves, make it an ideal spot for surfers.

Camaronal beach is also apt for camping and fishing.

Getting to Camaronal Beach Costa Rica in Guanacaste:

From San José, take the Pan-American Highway north until you reach Limonal. Turn left at Tres Hermanas Restaurant towards La Amistad bridge until you get to Nicoya. Once you reach Nicoya, continue South to Samara, passing through Hojancha, continue until you reach Carrillo and then take take the right fork to Camaronal beach. This road is very steep and you need to cross Ora River, so only 4×4 cars have access. Throughout the rainy season, drivers need to take a longer alternative road, from Estrada Rávago, near Carrillo Beach. It is a very scenic route that exemplifies rural Costa Rica. This route requires a total of six hours drive from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Nicoya and from there to Samara passing through Hojancha, continue till Carrillo and then turn right towards Camaronal beach. This road is very steep and you need to cross a river so only 4×4 cars have access. Throughout the rainy season you will need to take a longer alternative road, which starts from Estrada Rávago, near Carrillo Beach. It is a very scenic route that exemplifies rural Costa Rica.

By bus

Take a local bus from San José to Samara, which takes about 5 to 6 hours, and then take a bus Samara – Carrillo, which takes about 1 hour (Terminal Alfaro, +506 2222-2666). From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Camaronal beach, which is about 15 minutes. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved. Also, with prior notification a member of Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge will pick you up at the last bus station in Carrillo and will bring you to the beach.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the airport of Samara / Carrillo, either Sansa or Aerobell Airlines every day. With prior notification a member of the Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge will pick you up from the airport of Samara /Carrillo and will bring you to the beach.