Welcome to Playa Avellanas, known to locals and expats as “Little Hawaii.” It’s just south of Tamarindo in Guanacaste province.
Unlike more developed tourist strips, Avellanas has resisted large-scale commercialization. There are no high-rise hotels or crowded boardwalks here, just miles of wild coastline, mangrove forest, and surf breaks that draw riders from around the world.
Here’s our guide to Playa Avellanas, and how to get there safely.
Top things to do in Playa Avellanas
1. Surf across six breaks
Playa Avellanas is a well-known surf destination. The beach stretches for miles with six distinct breaks that cover different skill levels and work across most tides:
- The River Mouth (Boca): fast, hollow lefts and rights over a shifting sandbar.
- Palo Seco: a reliable, hollow beach break that works well on mid-to-high tides.
- Little Hawaii: a reef break at the northern end of the beach, with powerful right-hand waves for advanced surfers when big swells roll in.
2. Walk the wooden mangrove bridge
Playa Avellanas’ best-known landmark is the elevated wooden footbridge over the local mangrove swamp, connecting the parking area to the beach. It’s a good spot to see howler monkeys, iguanas, and crabs before you reach the sand.
3. Eat at Lola’s beachfront cafe
Don’t skip an afternoon at Lola’s, an open-air beachfront restaurant under the shade of tall palm trees, with organic food, fresh ceviche, smoothies, and cold beer right on the sand. The restaurant’s longtime resident pig, Lolita, has passed on, but the surf crowd and the beachfront vibe are still there.
4. Find the quiet stretches
The beachfront sits inside a protected forest reserve, so it stays undeveloped. Walk south, away from the main surf spots, and you’ll find empty stretches of white-gold sand, volcanic rock formations, and tidal pools good for a quiet swim.
The road reality: getting to Playa Avellanas
Avellanas is remote, and getting there takes some planning.
- From Liberia Airport (LIR): about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- From Tamarindo: close by distance, but the drive still takes 25 to 30 minutes.
The roads into Avellanas are unpaved, potholed, and rough. In dry season (December to April) they’re dusty and bumpy. In green season (May to November), the dirt turns into thick mud with deep water craters that can swamp or damage a standard rental car. Hidden rocks can puncture tires, and cell service can drop out mid-drive.
Skip the rough roads: ride with Beach Shuttles CR
Don’t start or end your surf trip with a broken rental axle or a car stuck in a mud pit. A shuttle service gets you and your gear there safely.
At Beach Shuttles CR, we run these backroads regularly:
- High-clearance vans: built to handle the potholes and gravel terrain.
- Room for surfboards and gear: bring your full quiver, we have secure space to transport it without damage.
- Door-to-door drop-off: whether you’re heading to a boutique eco-lodge in Avellanas or coming straight from Liberia Airport, we take you right to your door so you can hit the waves.
Leave the rough driving to the local experts. Book your private shuttle transfer to Playa Avellanas with Beach Shuttles CR today!
