Playa Langosta, Costa Rica
The Playa Langosta Vibe
Playa Langosta is the place to stay if you are looking for luxurious villas and a relaxed vibe but close enough to the action of Tamarindo.
There isn’t a whole lot to do in Langosta itself besides enjoying the beaches, but that gives it the peaceful feeling.
We got married at a beach front villa in Langosta, so it definitely holds a special place in our hearts.
Map Of Playa Langosta
Playa Langosta is located on Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste Province.
It is just south of the bustling surf town of Tamarindo.
Playa Langosta at a Glance
Nearest International Airport
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia
Popular Things to Do
surfing, rent an ATV, snorkel or diving tours
Best Way to Get Around
Rental car, walking in the downtown area
Best Time of Year to Visit
Dry season is from late December until mid-April
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Getting to Playa Langosta
Flights to Costa Rica
The easiest way of getting to Playa Langosta is by flying in to the Liberia International Airport. From Liberia, it is about a 1.5 hour drive to Playa Langosta. From San Jose, it is about a five hour drive.
That being said, we will go through how to get here from each airport to clear things up a bit.
If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.
Transportation From Liberia International Airport
Rental Car
Renting a car and driving to Langosta on your own is a great option if you would like to have a car for fun day trips while in the area. The drive is on main roads the entire way and if you are a somewhat experienced driver you shouldn’t have any trouble.
We work exclusively with a local car rental company called Adobe for all our rental needs. They are the best company and we could rave about them all day. Plus, they have given us a 10% discount and other great perks to pass on to you.
You can find out more and book your car here.
Private Shuttle
If you are traveling with a group of people and don’t plan on renting a car, a private shuttle is the way to go.
You can all sit back and enjoy the Pacific coast scenery while a competent driver ensures you get to your destination safely.
We work exclusively with Adobe Transfer for private shuttles. You can find out more and get a shuttle price quote here.
Taxi
If you are traveling as a couple or small family, a taxi is usually a more economical option rather than a private shuttle.
There is a family of certified Costa Rican taxi drivers based out of Liberia who we think very highly of. They will take very good care of you!
If you are interested in taking a taxi, click here to contact them for a price quote.
Oh, and they will give all our readers a $10 discount off the official taxi price list!
From San Jose Internation Airport
From San Jose it will take about five hours to drive to Playa Langosta.
Rental Car
The drive here is long, but doable.
The first two hours of the drive are on a main toll highway. If you are a somewhat experienced driver you should have no trouble with this.
The tolls do not accept credit cards. They will take dollars or colones.
You will then drive on a main road that can feel like it take foreverrrr. A lot of big trucks drive this road and it is often hard to find a place to pass them.
Eventually, you will turn off on a smaller main road called Paso de Tampisque.
If you need to stop for a quick meal or bathroom, there is a small plaza with a Subway, Papa Johns, and Taco Bell located just before you make a left-hand turn on to Paso de Tampisque.
Other than that, there are not many quick food options along the way.
However, there are several gas stations if you need a bathroom break. Most of the gas station bathrooms are actually fairly decent.
From the turn on Paso de Tampisque, it is usually smooth sailing until you reach downtown Langosta.
Just not that police tend to hang out in the first few miles of your turn onto Paso de Tampisque controlling speeding.
We suggest downloading the free app Waze for directions in Costa Rica. It is the best and often other drivers are really great about inputting where the police are hanging out.
In other words, this drive is doable. We’ve done it many many times. However, after a long flight, driving for five hours might be the last thing you want to do.
Book your rental car here and save 10% plus many other great perks.
Private Shuttle
A private shuttle is the most comfortable way to get to Playa Langosta.
Your shuttle driver will be waiting for you when you exit the airport and will take care of everything.
You and your group can just enjoy looking out the window. Your driver will be happy to stop for pictures or food along the way.
This is a really great option for Playa Langosta because you will most likely be renting a villa with your family or friends. A private transfer can hold all your guests and takes the stress out of driving yourself.
Get a private shuttle quote here.
Domestic Flight
From San Jose it is possible to take a domestic flight to the Tamarindo airport. This is definitely the fastest way of getting here, but it is usually a bit more expensive and we don’t suggest it for people who are scared of small planes.
Getting Around in Playa Langosta
While staying here you may opt to just enjoy the amenities of your beach front villa. If you hire a private chef and arrange day tours, you won’t need a vehicle.
However, Langosta is a great jumping-off point for tons of cool day trips that are often easier to organize on your own with a car.
If you opt to take a shuttle or taxi to Langosta you can always rent a car for just a few days if you would like to do your own exploring.
Adobe is happy to deliver a rental car to you for free within 12 miles of their Tamarindo office. Langosta is a bit over 12 miles from their office, so you may have to pay a small delivery fee.
Just make sure to select Tamarindo as your pick-up location in the reservation form.
In the comments section of the reservation form, specify that you need the car delivered to you at your hotel in Langosta.
Pro Tip: Rent a car with Adobe through our site and you will get a 10% discount! Score! You can find out more about it here.
Our Suggestion: If you won’t need a rental car for the whole trip, take a private transfer or taxi to Playa Langosta and arrange with Adobe to have a car delivered for just a few days. That way you can have a little time to get out and explore on your own.
Book Your Transportation
Playa Langosta Weather
The most popular time to visit Langosta is between the end of December through early May. This is dry season in the Guanacaste region. You can expect extremely hot weather and no rain.
Keep in mind that the area is not as pretty come late February through mid-April. At this time of year there has been so little rain that everything starts to turn brown and dried out.
Also, keep in mind that rental prices are seasonal. This means that you will be paying a lot more for a villa in the dry season versus the rainy season.
We like to visit this area between May through mid-August. At that time of year, you will likely have a daily afternoon thunderstorm, but there are far fewer tourists, and everything is green and blooming.
From mid-August through mid-December you can expect the temperature to cool off a bit and more rain. It is really difficult to predict the weather at this time of year. Sometimes you might experience rain all day. Other times the weather may be completely fine.
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Playa Langosta Hotels
There are only a few hotel options in Langosta. Instead, most people opt to rent a villa or condo. If you would like to stay at our hotel, we have four great options for you.
Cala Luna Boutique Hotel – A very nice resort style accommodation option. There is a shared pool, restaurant, lounge, massages services, and concierge located on the property.
Favela Chic Tamarindo – Adults Only – Modern bungalows with a shared pool. Each bungalow has a private kitchen. The beach is about a five minute walk away.
Sueño del Mar Beachfront Hotel – This hotel is located directly on the beach. It is cozy and nice. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel – A stunning beach front hotel. This place features an outdoor pool, spa facilities, an on-site restaurant, bar, and massage services
Playa Langosta Homes & Villa Rentals
We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.
Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double check before booking.
Villa Rentals
CASA DE LUZ – An 8 bedroom/ 7 bath home that can sleep up to 23 guests. There is a large pool and beachfront access. This is the villa we rented for our wedding and we loved it!
Villa Estrella Azul – An 8 bedroom / 6 bath home that can sleep up to 18 guests. We love this place for the open floor plan and the amazing property with private pool
Soul House – A 4 bedroom/ 5 bath house that can sleep up to 14 guests. The style of this place is absolutely stunning. It has a zen- Balinese feel to it. It would be the perfect place for a relaxing retreat.
Beachfront House – A 4 bedroom/ 5 bath home which can sleep up to 8 guests. This home has amazing views of the Pacific ocean a pool and nice outdoor seating areas.
Moroccan Villa – A 3 bedroom / 3.5 bath home which can sleep up to 8 guests. It has a secluded Moroccan feel to it. I think you will really like the style.
Condo Rentals
TWO BEDROOM CONDO – A 2 bedroom/ 2.5 bath condo with large shared infinity pool. This place is a short walk to the beach and you will have ocean views from your large balcony.
Modern Three Bedroom Condo – A 3 bedroom/ 3.5 bath condo that can sleep up to 8 guests. I love this place for its minimal Scandinavian style. This place as a large balcony with ocean views, a shared infinity pool, and a short walk to the beach.
CAPTIVATING 2 BEDROOM CONDO – A 2 bedroom/ 2 bath home that can sleep up to 6 guests. We like this spot because the condo complex only contains six units, so it feels very private and cozy. There is a large rooftop terrace you will have access to as well as a pool.
CONDO WITH PRIVATE Jacuzzi – A 3 bedroom/ 3 bath condo that can sleep up to 8 guests. We love this place because you will have your own private jacuzzi as well as access to the shared pool.
Things to Do in Playa Langosta
Walk Downtown Tamarindo
There are tons of nice shops lining the streets of the downtown area. If you are looking for fun souvenirs to bring home, this is the place to find them.
Go Surfing
There are a lot of surf shops in Tamarindo that offer surfing lessons and board rentals. Just walk the downtown area and you will find tons of choices. These shops can also guide you to the best surfing spot based on your skill level.
Note: If you are an advanced surfer the Witches Rock area here will be great for you.
Go Sport Fishing
From Langosta it is possible to take half or full-day fishing trips either inshore or deep sea. The boat and guide have everything you need to catch sailfish, tuna, and marlin.
We suggest booking your trip with Captain Noah of Sea Breeze Fishing.
Go on an ATV Tour
There are some nice hills and fun dirt roads around Langosta. This is a great spot to take a thrilling ATV tour with epic Pacific Coast views.
Visit Playa Avellana
A little bit south of Langosta is the quiet beach town of Playa Avellanas. It’s best to have a car that can handle some dirt roads if you plan to visit.
It’s the perfect spot to spend a relaxing afternoon at a beach bar such as Lola’s.
Take a Day Trip to Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde is the perfect spot to take a wildlife river boat ride filled with unique birds that you can’t see anywhere else in the country.
Take a Sailboat Ride
Go Scuba Diving
If you are an experienced diver or looking to get PADI certified this is all possible with one of the many Tamarindo diving tours.
Take a Rio Celeste Day Trip
Rio Celeste is a bright blue river and waterfall located in Tenorio Volcano National Park. And yes, the water really is as blue as it looks in pictures.
Go Partying
Tamarindo has a serious nightlife scene. If you are into partying, just walk the downtown area and you will find plenty of cool bars and clubs.
You can also take a fun beer tour or enjoy a Sunday Funday beach and food crawl.
Go On a Combo Tour
A combo tour is a great way to pack a bunch of activities in one fun-filled day. We love this because it usually saves you money from booking each activity yourself and it saves you the stress of organizing everything.
Playa Langosta Restaurants
There aren’t that many restaurants in Langosta itself. If you would like more options head to nearby Tamarindo.
El Sapo Ristopizza Cocktail Bar – Delicious Italian food. We usually opt for the pizza because we know it is excellent.
Fish & Cheeses – This is a small Italian market where you can either eat in or get food to go. It is popular so definitely make a reservation if you plan to dine in. I suggest any of the ravioli dishes. They make them themselves
Surf Club Bar & Grill – A relaxed and budget friendly place for sandwiches, tacos, and burgers. We usually go here for lunch or dinner when we don’t want something fancy.
Packing for Langosta
If staying in Langosta you probably have a villa or condo.
You will most likely spend a lot of your time in the pool or lounging. Don’t forget that the sun is really strong so plan on bringing a lot of sun coverage.
We also suggest a few nice outfits for dinners at all of the great restaurants nearby.
Check out our Langosta Packing List on Amazon for all the essentials.
Playa Langosta Travel Tips
– Be careful when swimming and surfing. There are crocodiles that have been known to enter the waters near Tamarindo river mouth. Just ask someone where you can swim before getting in the water.
– There are no gas stations or ATM’s in Langosta. You will need to make the short drive to Tamarindo for that.
– For a grocery store we suggest the large Automercado in Tamarindo.
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