Where to Stay In Playa Avellanas

We fell in love with Playa Avellanas after just five nights in this laid-back beach town and couldn’t wait to share our guide on where to stay in Playa Avellanas. Located just 30 minutes south of Tamarindo and approximately 90 minutes from Liberia International Airport, this small coastal enclave makes for an easy, low-maintenance beach getaway. We hired a private transfer with CR Travel & Tours, and Juan’s professionalism, reliability, and genuine care made the journey seamless from start to finish. In our opinion, Playa Avellanas does not require a car and using a private airport transfer made navigating comfortable and easy.

What truly sets Playa Avellanas apart is the diversity of its accommodations and the community it attracts. With options for every budget, the area draws an inviting mix of locals, young surfers, families, and more seasoned beachgoers — all contributing to its relaxed, welcoming energy. The beach is fully accessible with no gated sections, which we loved, and it adds to the overall sense of safety and openness that defines this special place. To explore more of what makes this destination so unique, be sure to check out Playa Avellanas: Costa Rica’s Best Kept Secret.

You will not “NEED” a car in this area, although there is not a town center and things are spread out. When planning our trip- many did recommend a car but we really loved the walkability of the area and found things within a mile or so and really loved the ability to explore different restaurants and properties by foot. We walked everywhere and saw lots of wildlife like monkeys and birds by walking in the area.

There are four major areas for accessing the long stretch of beautiful beach. 1) Access via Hacienda Pinilla and JW Marriot Gaunacaste at the far north end. 2) There is a short dirt road that gives you access at the mouth of the estuary- this was our favorite and offered a fun, beautiful walk through the forest. 3) There is a boardwalk from Cabinas do Olas resort complex. This is rickety and wide spaces between boards- we do not recommend using this after dark and you should stay close to your young children. Cabinas do Olas is a gated resort, you will need to access this by entering through the gate and walking through the hilly terrain of the resort. 4) You can access on the far south end via Lola’s- this is the most popular point of access and there is parking here with attendants. When choosing an accommodation, consider where/how you would like to access the beach. For more help in planning your vacation, Check out “Budget Friendly Costa Rica” as we lay out how to plan your Budget Friendly Stay in Costa Rica!

AirBnb or Hotel?

There are a number of Villas and AirBnb options in Playa Avellanas. Many are luxury Villas within gated complexes like Hacienda Pinilla that advertise their listings on popular platforms like VRBO and AirBnb. If you are traveling as a family or looking for a more luxury beach stay, there are plenty of options that offer the resort feel with beautiful luxury amenities at a reasonable cost compared to other areas in the Gaunancaste region. We would choose Hacienda Pinillas over JW Marriot- we found the grounds more authentic and easier to access the variety of beachside attractions like Lola’s and key surf spots. Hacienda Pinilla and JW Marriott share ownership and their amenities are interchangeable. JW Marriott also offers an all-inclusive option if you are interested in the ease of the all-inclusive experience but there are so many great places to eat in Playa Avellanas that I am not sure this is worth its value unless you are looking to have a multitude of cocktails and drinks that can add up quick.

Hacienda Pinilla Villas

We really love the modern beach vibes of the Lingalonga Villa and this would be our first choice for a luxury Villa rental. Featuring a 5 bedroom Villa and private pool- the outdoor gathering areas are curated beautifully with relaxed luxury, perfect for a laid back beach gathering amongst friends and family.

“Lingalonga is a private luxury villa within the exclusive Las Golondrinas community of Hacienda Pinilla, one of the only neighborhoods with direct beach access. A short walk leads to Playa Bonita, where calm tide pools, golden sand, and Pacific sunsets set the pace.

​Here, privacy is complete and service is seamless. Daily housekeeping, concierge coordination, and in-villa experiences are handled quietly, allowing guests to engage as much or as little as they choose. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is required.” – Lingalonga

There are a large variety of bungalow and small Boutique style hotel options in Playa Avellanas that offer small kitchens and jungle settings that are still walkable to the gorgeous Playa Avellanas beach. Having a kitchen and pool area offer a nice place to relax in the afternoon after the Costa Rican sun has depleted your reserves. Here are our top picks for affordable bungalow properties that offer a fun and relaxed accommodation options.

SoulShine

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This fun, youthful property offers simple modern design with a pool, restaurant and bar in shady jungle setting. Soulshine would be the perfect place to host a retreat or small group with multiple options accommodating 2-4 people. The property sits just down the street from the dirt road access to the estuary and would be a great spot for solo travelers looking to connect with other young people embracing the surf culture of Playa Avellanas. Walkable to La Cabane (our favorite restaurant) and offering its own bar and restaurant- Soulshine is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed beach vacation.

Cabinas Las Olas

This rustic cabin property features an exceptional restaurant and the staff here were some of the most friendly and warm we encountered! Featuring a variety of rustic cabins with direct access to Playa Avellanas via the boardwalk, this property offers some great options for couples and included parking and breakfast. This is a gated community and the property features lush gardens and peaceful, quiet feel. They do not have the same family friendly accommodations as some of the other properties and the population felt a little more mature than SoulShine or VR Beachwalk Avellanas.

VR Beachwalk Avellanas

This was our top choice for a boutique-style property that offered an impressive range of amenities at a very approachable price point. We stayed for five nights, and the experience exceeded our expectations. The property is self-catering — there’s no front desk or concierge — but communication was easy, and any questions or requests for extra essentials were handled quickly and efficiently. We were offered a code that opened a key lock box upon arrival and had no issues with check in and felt very safe the entirety of our stay!

We especially loved the location, tucked into the surrounding forest, where wildlife sightings were part of daily life. It wasn’t uncommon to spot birds overhead or see resident cows and goats wandering through the nearby streets. With spacious two-bedroom options, a small kitchenette, and family-friendly pools, this property is an excellent and affordable choice for families or anyone looking for a relaxed beach-focused stay without unnecessary frills. The Kitchenette was helpful when creating a lite afternoon lunch and having coffee each morning by the beautiful pools.

Why We Chose VR Beachwalk Avellanas:

Without question, the standout amenity included with certain bookings was breakfast at La Cabane. We ate there every morning — and more than once returned in the evening — simply because the atmosphere was so inviting and the food so exceptional. For those with early excursions planned, breakfast can also be purchased separately for $13 per person on the mornings of your choosing. Served starting around 8:30–9:00 a.m., each meal is made to order and includes coffee, juice, and generous portions prepared by resident chef Thibault. French by origin, his dishes highlight fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation.

Evenings at La Cabane are just as special, with Thibault’s brother Robin ensuring guests feel right at home — often joined by Reef, the restaurant’s friendly canine ambassador. Try as many dishes as you can, but whatever you do, don’t skip the Grandma’s Cake. It’s truly life-changing.

La Cabane was born from a dream, shared between two brothers. A dream rooted in the South of France, where life follows the rhythm of the sea, the sun, and those long, lingering meals that never seem to end.

We grew up surrounded by the warmth of family tables, where our grandmother taught us that cooking was more than just feeding people; it was an act of love. She infused in us a passion for flavors, a spirit of generosity, and the joy of gathering people together.

That spirit lives here, in Playa Avellanas.
Every dish, every smile, every shared glass carries a piece of that story.

La Cabane is not just a restaurant.

La Cabane

We chose VR Beachwalk for its location to the beach – from the turn down the dirt road towards VR Beachwalk you will find a wide dirt road through farmland. There are fun handwritten signs that make the journey whimsical and fun with the reminder to protect our beautiful earth. The walk to the beach is only about 10 minutes but you will traverse through some muddy parts and eventually end at the estuary where you will need to cross over. The water never reached above our waste but could be tricky to cross with small children depending on the tide. You’ll find surfers returning from the morning waves and some local children heading out for fishing on occasion but we rarely saw many people on our walks.

When you exit along the estuary, keep your eye out for beautiful birds- we saw herons and egrets here each morning! There are a variety of beautiful shells along Playa Avellanas but we were told that removing them from the beach is illegal and therefore, we refrained from taking any despite the temptation. One of the things we loved about Costa Rica is their commitment to sustainability and protecting their natural resources!

We loved Playa Avellanas for its wild, untamed beauty. Tuck yourself beneath the mangroves for a bit of much-needed shade and settle in as you watch surfers take on the powerful waves rolling in from the Pacific. The surf here can be rough, with a noticeable undertow, but the warm water is irresistible, and we found ourselves swimming every day for a refreshing cooldown.

Near the mouth of the estuary, the water turns a clear, turquoise blue, forming natural pools that are especially well suited for young children and calmer dips. Mornings and sunsets quickly became our favorite times on Playa Avellanas. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the beach is bathed in a soft, golden glow that rivals even the most luxurious beach destinations we’ve visited. And if you’re lucky, you might just be treated to the appearance of a rainbow — a perfect ending to the day.

Conclusion

Playa Avellanas reminded us that some of the most memorable travel experiences come from choosing simplicity over spectacle. With its long, untamed beaches, laid-back surf culture, and sense of quiet discovery, this small corner of Costa Rica delivered exactly what we were craving — space to slow down, reconnect with nature, and truly unwind. From mangrove-shaded beach days and glowing sunsets to exceptional food and warm local hospitality, Playa Avellanas offered a kind of luxury that can’t be manufactured. With a variety of places to stay in Playa Avellanas, we believe that PA offers something for everyone and its inclusive nature offers a unique hamlet of humanity with kind hearted souls seeking a destination for everyone. It’s a place that rewards those willing to wander just a little off the beaten path — and one we’ll be dreaming about long after the sand has been shaken from our bags.