Flamingo Beach is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of fine white sand and warm ocean water between two scenic bays. The area is known for deep-sea fishing, but the serene atmosphere and picturesque views of the bays are what attract most travelers to the area. Go sailing and scuba diving or simply relax on the soft sand and listen to the sound of the waves.
Walk at a leisurely pace through the mangrove trees growing behind the beach. Make your way up to Salinas Point to enjoy panoramic views of Potrero and Brasilito bays on either side. See if you can spot some of the Catalinas Islands on the horizon.
Sunbathe on the beach’s white sand and go for a swim to cool off. Comb the beach with the kids for shells, fossils and other beach treasures. Go snorkeling to get close to the vividly colored tropical fish.
Look up to the forested shoreline to admire the white houses with red-tiled roofs built into the surrounding forests. Many resorts and private homes are hidden in the vegetation. A few restaurants can be found around the beach and nearby Brasilito Bay offers a wide selection of cafés, bars and clubs.
Make the short trip inland to Palo Verde, where you can take river tours and spot wildlife. Las Baulas National Marine Park neighbors Flamingo Beach. Visit the turtle museum to learn about endangered leatherback turtles, which live in the park’s mangrove swamps. See the stately creatures when they come ashore between November and April. Look for monkeys, crocodiles and coatis, which look like raccoons.
The stretch of sand is also known as Playa Blanca (White Beach), so try both names when speaking to taxi drivers and bus conductors.
Flamingo Beach is a scenic 45-mile (72.4-kilometer) drive southwest from Guanacaste’s capital, Liberia. It is nestled between Brasilito Bay and Potrero Bay on Costa Rica’s west coast. Although it is only 15 miles (24.1 kilometers) south of Coco Beach and Hermosa Bay Beach, the car journey to Flamingo Beach may take around 1 hour on the unpaved roads.