BeachFinder app logoBeachFinder180,000+ swim spots worldwide
Back to site
CR · CR

Playa Guacamaya

Shared BeachFinder spot: compare live conditions, water temperature, wind, UV, waves, currents, amenities and nearby alternatives before you leave.

Type
Beach
Rating
New spot
Flag
Local spot
Lifeguard
Check locally

Live conditions on the site

Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.

Water temp
...
Air temp
...
Feels like
...
UV index
...
Wind
...
Waves
...
Current
...
Parking
...
Shower
...
PMR access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo

Playa Guacamaya

Playa Guacamaya stretches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the Guanacaste province, about 15 kilometers northwest of Tamarindo. This stretch of coastline is part of a succession of beaches along a shallow bay, characterized by low cliffs and dense coastal vegetation of mangroves and tropical trees. The Pacific Ocean here features regular swells, typical of this region where waves attract experienced surfers and swimmers. The beach itself remains undeveloped, offering a tranquil atmosphere away from the massive amenities of its more touristy neighbors. Playa Guachipelín, 2.8 kilometers away, and Playa Matapalito, 3 kilometers away, are the closest landmarks. Unlike these, Guacamaya retains a wilder character, with less formalized access and reduced visitor numbers. The sand gently slopes towards the warm waters, while rocks emerge in places, creating natural pools at low tide. No structured facilities equip the site: no swimming supervision, no sanitary facilities, and no developed parking. Access remains basic, suitable for motorists willing to navigate rudimentary tracks. Swimming conditions remain to be assessed according to tides and daily weather conditions. This lack of amenities makes it a refuge for those seeking to get away from the marked trails of the region.

About this spot

Guacamaya gets its name from the military macaw (guacamaya in Spanish), an emblematic parrot of the Costa Rican Pacific coasts, whose shrill cries still echo in the coastal trees at dawn. The bay is part of a young geological area, shaped by the volcanic activity of the Guanacaste Cordillera mountain range. Before the arrival of mass tourism in the 1990s, these beaches were places for artisanal fishing; local families still harvested leatherback turtles that came to lay eggs under the cover of night. Today, Guacamaya remains one of the few beaches in the region where this tranquility persists, attracting marine biologists and naturalists documenting the gradual return of these endangered species.

Updated 5/9/2026

Before you go

Conditions

Compare water temperature, air temperature, feels-like temperature, UV index, wind, waves and currents. Surf-focused data appears when a marine model covers the spot.

Amenities

BeachFinder checks parking, showers, toilets, accessible places and restaurants around the spot with OpenStreetMap and shows them in the counters and map.

BeachFinder

Other nearby spots

Compare nearby alternatives if conditions change, parking is full, or you want a calmer spot.

Playa Guacamaya water temperature today | Wind, UV, Surf & Water Quality | BeachFinder