Many of the beaches along the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste are a surfer's paradise, however there are beaches, or areas of beaches that are better for swimming, snorkelling and exploring, especially for kids. If you're looking for quieter safer beaches with smaller waves, tide pools to explore, trees to climb and nature to discover, here are some suggestions for families close to Casa Bella Tortuga.

1-Playa Blanca - A 5-7-minute walk north from Casa Bella Tortuga, Playa Blanca is a strikingly white sand beach with protected pools to play in at certain tides. However, if the seas are rough, Playa Blanca can be a challenge for swimmers so make sure you evaluate the situation before you venture in. Snorkelling is best on the incoming tide as fish flood into the area to feast on the lava form rations. The trees that line this beach are great fun for climbing and provide shade. Playa Blanca can be a great place for kids however, because of the bathymetry and steepness of the drop off at certain times of the year and areas of Playa Blanca there can be a rip current. It's always important to be aware of your surrounding and vigilant with children. Choosing a protected pool and understanding the outgoing and incoming tide is important.

2-Playa Junquillal North - Playa Junquillal is a long beautiful, Blue Zone beach great for taking long walks and building sand castles. Guests at Casa Bella Tortuga can access the beach via the campground just a 2 minute walk from the house. At the north end there are more protected areas with tide pools that are better for kids and weaker swimmers. 

3-Playa Junquillal - There's a local park with a huge turtle sculpture near the main access point to Playa Junquillal and of course the wonderful Verdi Azul turtle hatchery, that brings joy to kids young and old. Organizers send out a notice a couple hours before they release the hatchlings. We will send you a notice of the event when they occur. 

4-Playa Callejones/Playa Ananda - Around the corner from Playa Blanca before you get to Playa Negra, are the lovely quiet Playa Callejones and Playa Ananda. Beginners can surf here as the waves are more modest, but there are also great tide pools and protected areas for wading. If you're looking for an adventure with the kids, you can walk here from Casa Bella Tortuga in about 20-30 minutes either along the road or along the beach (tides permitting). You can also walk to Playa Callejones via the Playa Blanca Sunset point road and a ridge trail. Or it's a 5 minute drive north.

5-Playa Lagartillo - North of Playa Negra and south of Playa Avellanas, Playa Lagartillo's powder soft sand and calmer waters provide the best fbeach conditions for kids and weaker swimmers, or for people just looking for a swim and a wade. And there's often very few people there.

6-Playa Avellana - Although good for surfing for beginners to expert, Avellanas is a fun beach for kids and a fantastic sunset spot to enjoy food and drink just 20 minutes north of Casa Bella Tortuga. There are two good restaurants at the southern end of Playa Avellena, La Purruja and Lola's. Straight out from La Purruja are lava formations with great tide pools.

7-Playa San Juanillo - About 1 hour south of Casa Bella Tortuga on route 160 is the beautiful protected Playa San Juanillo. San Juanillo is great for wading, swimming and snorkelling.

8-Playa Ostional - While not a beach for wading and bathing, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, about a 1:15hrs south of Casa Bella Tortuga on route 160, is home to the the mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles and an experience you and your kids will never forget. Called “arribadas” in Spanish, this natural phenomenon sees thousands of sea turtles lay their eggs on Ostional Beach. This phenomenon usually happens in the weeks leading up to the new moon and peaks August to December.

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