Steps away
Playa Flamingo
The home beach: a protected white-sand crescent with water calm enough for every age, and the sunsets the coast is named for.
Playa Flamingo
Costa Rica’s Gold Coast
A calm, white-sand crescent on the Pacific. Every distance on this page is measured from the villa’s front door.
The setting
Everything within reach
Nestled on the coveted Gold Coast of Guanacaste, Playa Flamingo is renowned for its pristine white-sand beach, crystal-clear waters and world-class sunsets. Casa Nina sits just steps from the shore, with everything you need within reach.
Sixty minutes from Liberia International (LIR), roughly five hours from San José, and within easy day-trip distance of Rincón de la Vieja volcano, the Palo Verde wetlands and the region’s best-known waterfalls. The Guanacaste dry season, December to April, brings reliable sunshine and the coast’s signature long, golden afternoons.
Steps away
Flamingo Beach
5 min
Marina Flamingo
10 min
Conchal Beach
25 min
Tamarindo
60 min
Liberia Intl · LIR
Casa Nina Flamingo
Playa Flamingo · Guanacaste · Costa Rica
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Six beaches · drag or swipe
5 min
Playa Potrero
A long, quiet stretch around the bay with gentle water and low-key beach bars. The locals’ evening walk.
7 min
Brasilito
The working beach town next door: fishing boats pulled up on the shore, a sleepy plaza, and dinner with your feet in the sand.
10 min
Playa Conchal
Sand made of crushed shells and the clearest turquoise water in the region. Bring the snorkels.
12 min
Playa Penca
A small, sheltered cove past Potrero that rarely draws a crowd. Shallow, still, and made for little ones.
35 min
Playa Grande
A wilder, protected shore inside Las Baulas National Park. Surf by day, then join a guided night walk to watch leatherback turtles nest, October to March.
Sails daily · half day
The sunset catamaran
Board at Flamingo or Potrero for an afternoon down the coast, with a snorkel stop, an open bar, and the sun dropping behind the Catalinas. The one everyone remembers.
Marina Flamingo · 5 min
Sportfishing
Half- and full-day charters run for sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, tuna and mahi from a coast with a serious billfish reputation.
40 min by boat
The Catalina Islands
Volcanic islets with some of the Pacific’s best diving and snorkeling. Giant mantas cruise through November to April; white-tip sharks, rays and turtles hold the fort year-round.
Tamarindo · 25 min
Learn to surf
The forgiving breaks at Tamarindo and Playa Grande built Costa Rica’s surf reputation. Lessons run daily, boards included, all levels welcome.
Calm mornings
Kayak & paddleboard
Flamingo and Potrero bays sit glassy until midday, which makes for easy paddling across all ages. Gear is delivered straight to the beach.
Diamante · 25 min
Canopy zip-lining
Coastal canopy runs crowned by a dual zipline over the ocean, one of the longest in the country, with a sloth sanctuary and botanical garden waiting below.
Beach & ridge
Horseback riding
Guided rides along the sand at low tide or up into the dry-forest hills, paced for confident riders and first-timers alike.
Mountain + coast
ATV & UTV tours
Quads and side-by-sides on ridge tracks and back roads, with lookouts over the whole bay along the way.
Reserva Conchal · 10 min
Championship golf
A Robert Trent Jones II course threaded through the dry forest above Conchal beach. Clubs and tee times arranged.
No drive at all
Spa, at the villa
Massages, facials and full spa days set up poolside or on the beach. The therapists come to you.
Full day · ~90 min
Rincón de la Vieja
An active volcano ringed by fumaroles, waterfalls and hanging bridges. Pair the national park with thermal hot springs and mineral mud baths at Vandara for the complete day.
Full day · ~75 min
Palo Verde river safari
A slow boat on the Tempisque through one of Central America’s great wetlands, with monkeys and crocodiles on the banks and more than 280 bird species overhead.
Half day · ~70 min
Llanos de Cortés
A wide curtain waterfall with a sandy pool you can swim in. It is the easiest add-on to any inland day, and a favourite with kids.
December – April
Dry season
Reliable sun, Papagayo breezes and the coast at its social peak. These months book first, for the villa and for the boats.
November – April
Manta season at the Catalinas
Giant Pacific mantas gather at the Catalina Islands, with sightings peaking January to March. A sighting is never guaranteed, which is part of what makes one unforgettable.
October – March
Leatherback turtles at Playa Grande
The largest sea turtles on earth nest inside Las Baulas National Park, thirty-five minutes away. Night viewings are guided-only, and worth planning around.
January
Fiestas de Santa Cruz
The province’s folklore capital, a short drive inland, fills with marimba, traditional dance and tope horse parades for a week each January.
July 25
Guanacaste Day
The province celebrates its 1824 annexation with street fiestas, horse parades and traditional food. The liveliest celebrations are in Liberia and Santa Cruz.
July – October
Whale migrations
Southern-hemisphere humpbacks pass offshore, with a northern population following from December to April. They are spotted from catamarans and dive boats, though never promised.
May – November
Green season
Afternoon rain turns the province green, the waterfalls run full and the beaches go quiet. The best-value months, and a local favourite.
Planning your stay
A few things to know before you arrive
How do we get from the airport?
Liberia International (LIR) is about an hour away, and every Casa Nina booking includes airport pick-up and drop-off.
Do we need to rent a car?
Not necessarily. Golf carts (4 or 6 passenger) are street-legal on all local roads, and the concierge arranges cart or car rentals in all different sizes.
When should we come?
December to April for guaranteed sun and the full social season. May to November for green hills, full waterfalls, quieter beaches and better value.
Who books all of this?
Our concierge team, included with every stay. Charters, chefs, drivers and guides are arranged before you land.
Have more questions? Our full FAQ covers booking, arrival, the villa itself and the area around it, and the team is always happy to help with anything it does not.
Visit the FAQ
The Casa Nina concierge
Choose the days. We’ll arrange the rest.
Every stay includes a dedicated concierge. Tell our team what the group wants to do, and the boats, chefs, drivers and guides are booked before you land.
Everyone · Together · Comfortably