Is Playa Pelada good for swimming today?
Playa Pelada has BeachFinder Score: 68/100. Use this as a planning signal only, then check local flags, lifeguards, closures and current beach conditions.
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Playa Pelada
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Quick answer
Quick answer: Playa Pelada today
Playa Pelada is a BeachFinder spot in CR, CR. Today, compare water temperature 31°C, wind 9 km/h · S, uv 2.0, waves 1.6 m, water quality Check official advisories before leaving. BeachFinder Score: 68/100. Always check official flags, closures and lifeguard advice before swimming.
Water temperature
31°C
Wind
9 km/h · S
UV
2.0
Waves
1.6 m
Water quality
Check official advisories
Last updated: Nov 6, 03:30 PM local forecast timeBeachFinder Score: 68/100
Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts, OpenStreetMap place context and BeachFinder spot data.
This is planning information, not a safety clearance. Conditions can change quickly.
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Live conditions on the site
Surfers can check wind, wave height, currents and surf cues here before opening the full BeachFinder app.
Updated: Nov 6, 03:30 PM
Water temp
31°C
Air temp
25°C
Feels like
30°C
UV index
2.0
Wind
9 km/h · S
Gust 26 km/h
Waves
1.6 m
Current
1 km/h · N
Parking
...
Shower
...
Accessible access
...
Toilets
...
Restaurants
...
Weather and marine data: Open-Meteo
Playa Pelada
Playa Pelada extends along the Pacific coast of northwestern Costa Rica, in the Guanacaste province, about 3 kilometers from Nosara. This stretch of coastline is part of a succession of fine sandy beaches that characterize the Nicoya Peninsula, an area renowned for its consistent waves and preserved coastal ecosystem. The shore, facing the Pacific Ocean, benefits from direct exposure to swells from the open sea, while the backshore remains bordered by dense tropical vegetation typical of the region. Sand dominates the entire beach, offering a pleasant surface for walking and swimming. Unlike Playa Nosara (3 km) and Playa Guiones (3.1 km), which attract more surfers and organized tourists, Pelada retains a more discreet and less developed character. At low tide, the shoreline widens noticeably, revealing stretches of hard sand suitable for walking. The water, generally warm year-round, has a color varying from blue-green to grey depending on weather conditions and sea state. Waves, moderate to strong depending on the season, make swimming variable: ideal in calm periods, demanding during Pacific swells. No major tourist infrastructure is reported on site. The beach has neither supervision nor access suitable for people with reduced mobility. Visitors should plan for their own autonomy in terms of equipment and supplies. The proximity of Nosara, a neighboring coastal town, provides access to services (restaurants, accommodation, equipment rental) just a few kilometers away.
About this spot
Pelada means "bald" or "bare" in Spanish, a name likely evoking the absence of dense vegetation immediately bordering the beach, contrasting with adjacent wooded areas. This region of Costa Rica, historically inhabited by the Chorotega people before Spanish colonization, remains a center of marine biodiversity. The Nosara area and its surroundings, including Pelada, gradually opened up to sustainable tourism starting in the 1980s, attracting surfers and travelers seeking authenticity. The beach remains associated with the observation of sea turtles that come to nest on the nearby beaches of Ostional, a spectacular natural phenomenon known locally as "arribada".
Updated 5/9/2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the water temperature at Playa Pelada today?
31°C. Marine temperature is shown when forecast coverage is available for this location.
How windy is Playa Pelada today?
9 km/h · S. Wind can change comfort and surface conditions, especially on exposed beaches.
What should I check before swimming at Playa Pelada?
Check official safety flags, lifeguard advice, closures, water-quality advisories, UV, wind, waves and currents before entering the water.
Before you go
Conditions
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Amenities
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