Playa Langosta: Everything You Should Know Before Visiting
Are you looking for a spot in Costa Rica where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere but with a more peaceful environment? Welcome to Playa Langosta!
This stunning beach located just 2 kilometers south of Tamarindo, offers a unique experience. While Tamarindo is famous for its bustling nightlife and crowded surf spots, Playa Langosta provides a peaceful retreat with only a few rentals, hotels, and businesses along its shores.
Discover this white-sand beach sheltered by mangroves, with sparkling outcroppings stretching into the sea. Let’s find out more about Playa Langosta. Stay tuned!
Where is Playa Langosta?
Playa Langosta is located in the northwest region of Costa Rica, this coastal town is situated in Guanacaste Province, south of Tamarindo and north of Las Baulas Marine National Park, it’s less than an hour’s drive from Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) in Liberia.
How to get to Playa Langosta
Find out how to get to Playa Langosta by car, taxi, or bus for a smooth trip to this stunning beach.
By car
If you can manage a rental car go for it, because you can travel to and from the beach at your convenience. There’s a parking space in front of the beach, where parking is free. However, it can become crowded quickly, so offering a small tip to the attendant might work.
By taxi
If you are downtown and not able to find nearby taxi stands, then only you can use the Uber app. However using the Uber app from downtown is not allowed if you are departing from the Hotel Zone, due to regulations made by local taxi drivers. To avoid any issues, it’s advisable to follow the rules.
By bus
You can take a bus to reach Playa Langosta as it’s quite straightforward. There are two bus routes, R1 and R2, which depart from Cancun Downtown and can be boarded at the roundabout. The fare is cost around $1.3. A stop is conveniently located right in front of beach, and for your return trip, the bus stop is on the opposite side of the road.
Playa Langosta Weather
- Dry Season: From December to April. It’s dry and sunny.
- Mid-Season: From May to June. It’s sunny weather.
- Summer Season: From mid-June to mid-August. It’s quite hot.
- Green Season: From mid-August to mid-December. Possibility of daily rain.
Things to Do in Playa Langosta
Explore top activities in Playa Langosta, from relaxing on beautiful beaches to snorkeling, surfing, and exploring parks.
1. Chill Out at the Beach
Playa Langosta is a large public beach where you will find deeper water for swimming and shallower areas for kids. The beach offers soft white sand and some rocky areas. A bay divides the residential area from the wilder southern part of the beach, which is part of Las Baulas National Marine Park.
While you are there, keep an eye out for aquatic birds like spotted sandpipers, white-lored gnatcatchers, and blue herons. If you are looking to explore more beaches in Costa Rica check out the best beaches in Costa Rica.
2. Catch the Waves
Love to surf? Playa Langosta is a perfect spot for you! It is one of the top surf spots in the Tamarindo area, especially when the Southern Hemi swells come in. The waves here are quick and ideal, a suitable spot for experts and beginners as well. Even though it’s popular, it is usually less crowded than Tamarindo and other nearby beaches.
3. Enjoy Scuba diving/ Snorkeling
If you are up for a swim, take a sunset cruise from Playa Tamarindo. You can enjoy a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean and some tours even make a stop at the Catalina Islands, where you can explore isolated reefs and inlets. If you want to try scuba diving, there are trips to the nearby Las Catalinas Islands can be arranged in Tamarindo.
4. Try Fishing
The North Pacific coast near Tamarindo, Costa Rica, is a prime spot for fishing. You will find species like mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, and roosterfish, available. This species is especially seen from May to August. If you don’t have your gear, think about joining a fishing tour with Rhino Charger Sport Fishing and making excellent fishing opportunities.
5. Take a Kayak tour
You will find the kayak tour right across the road. It offers fantastic kayaking tours in the Nichuptè Lagoon, available at both sunrise and sunset. As you paddle through the mangrove tunnels, an early morning tour offers a great chance to spot a variety of wildlife.
6. Enjoy Sunset Sailing on Catamaran
Hop aboard a catamaran for a snorkeling and sunset cruise from Tamarindo! You will sail to the snorkeling spots which are decided by the captain to discover marine wonders and take in a beautiful Pacific Ocean sunset. For a more eco-friendly exploration of Playa Langosta, you can choose sustainable tour operators.
7. Experience Zipline
You can experience the thrill of zipping through the treetops at heights of 120 meters and lengths of up to 600 meters in the Tamarindo Canopy forest. Sweep over a charming forest and admire the majestic, ancient trees along the way.
8. Enjoy Horseback Riding
You can also enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, and mountain biking in the nearby mangroves. As you explore, be on the lookout for wildlife such as birds, howler monkeys, falcons, iguanas, and red macaws.
9. Explore National Parks
While you are on a trip to Playa Langosta, you will find some fantastic National Parks in Guanacaste on a day trip.
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
About a 2-hour drive from Playa Langosta, this park offers scenic horseback riding, hiking trails, volcanic sights, and relaxing thermal springs.
Palo Verde National Park
This park is a wildlife paradise located along the Tempisque River near Playa Langosta. It is known for its rich marshes and wetlands, providing a crucial habitat for crocodiles and diverse plant species.
Marino Las Baulas National Park: This park spans 1,100 acres of mangroves and 54,000 acres of forest. Bird watching is one of the popular activities here. It is mainly famous as a nesting site for the largest sea turtles, giant leatherback turtles.
Where to eat in Playa Langosta
- Pots & Bowls – Playa Grande
- El Sapo Ristopizza Cocktail Bar
- Fish & Cheeses
- Bistro Langosta
Where to stay in Playa Langosta
5-star hotels: Occidental Tamarindo
4-star hotels:
- Casa de Luz – Langosta Vacation Rental
- Cala Luna Boutique Hotel
3-star hotels:
- The Coast Beachfront Hotel
- Hotel Luna Llena
- Hotel Mar Rey
- Ten North Tamarindo Beach Hotel
- Hotel Pasatiempo
Other Beaches near Playa Langosta
Here are some best beaches you can visit near Playa Langosta
Playa Las Perlas
Playa Las Perlas is about 2 miles from Playa Langosta. If you enjoy walking then go there for walking. It’s located on the route back to Cancun Downtown. Playa Las Perlas isn’t that famous for its swimming conditions since the water tends to be murky. The beach is good for strolling.
Playa Linda
Playa Linda is located just before the Xcaret ferry terminal and the bridge over Nichupte Lagoon. The water here is shallow, making it good for swimming. However, keep in mind that boats frequently pass by close to the shore, so it’s best to stay near the water’s edge for safety.
Playa Pez Volador
Playa Pez Volador is right next to Playa Langosta, located in front of the Casa Maya Hotel. This small beach offers a quieter spot compared to the more crowded areas. While the water is shallow and good for swimming, be aware that boats often pass close by, so it’s best to stay close to the shore for safety.
FAQs
Is Playa Langosta swimmable?
Popular with the locals, this white sand beach in the north of the Hotel Zone has shallow waters which is great for swimming. Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Can you surf playa langosta?
While there are a bunch of fun waves just south out of Tamarindo, Playa Langosta is usually one of the better bets.
How long is the ferry from Playa Langosta to Isla Mujeres?
30 min
The best way to get from Playa Langosta to Isla Mujeres without a car is to ferry which takes 30 min and costs $10 – $15
How far is Playa Langosta from airport?
The nearest airport to Playa Langosta is Tamarindo (TNO) Airport which is 3.4 km away. Other nearby airports include Nosara Beach (NOB) (41.4 km), Liberia (LIR) (47.2 km) and San Jose (SJO) (182.4 km).
