Going South - The beaches beyond Tamarindo
This Blog was written by Larry Graziano, one of our Sales Agent that specialize in Beach Properties South of Tamarindo.
It has been nearly 15 years since I moved to Playa Negra. I have never regretted the decision to do so. In the early days, when I was younger, it was nothing short of a daily adventure. The roads were at best ludicrously horrible. The height of the rainy season would turn the roads into a sloppy mess of flip-flop stealing mud, you would actually find springs of water percolating in spots. My longest drive time to Tamarindo was two and a half hours...I could have made the six mile journey from Playa Negra up the beach faster on horse! Those days are over. The roads have had many improvements in the last couple of years, bridges were installed, culverts placed in the creek beds, a thick rock base was placed on the coastal road, and the roads from Tamarindo all the way to the sleep gateway town, Paraiso, to the beaches were recently paved. Now, if it takes you longer than 30 minutes, you stopped for some of the sights along the way.
Things have certainly come a long way since then. Getting to the beaches south of Tamarindo has become easy, almost too easy. However, the towns of Avellanas, Playa Negra and Junquillal still maintain that authentic and paradisiacal feel. There are sections of beach in these areas where one can still take a romantic walk, hand in hand, with their partner and be alone. You'll encounter plenty of monkeys on your way. Wildlife abounds. In fact, I did a biodiversity study on my 3/4 acre lot in 2012 with my camera and found over 700 species of insects (don't worry, they are all benign!). There were some that were out of this world, you would think they might be aliens. For example, this leafhopper nymph is so small that you would likely never see it but trough the macro lens it's beauty is unmatched.
Avellanas, with it's long white sandy beach dotted with very few rocky outcroppings has always been a standout for those seeking something different from Tamarindo. Few people were able to reach this beach in the old days but now it has become a mecca for surfers because of it's many surf breaks which receive swell from all directions. Families and locals alike gather here for fishing, boogie boarding and enjoying the famous food from Lola's restaurant at this lovely beach.
Playa Negra has always been the standout for surfing. It is what surfers refer to as a "standout" location. Why? Well, the waves are always a little bigger and more consistent here than anywhere else. This wave is a machine of right breaking barreling waves. Recently, Playa Negra has changed it's image through the type of people that visit. Various Hollywood actors come to get away and spend their vacations in the one of the many newly built million dollar mansions. Families enjoy walks on the beach, watching the occasional turtle building their nest, amazing sunsets, and most of all the amazing restaurants on offer here. La Ventana offers organic breakfasts and lunches. Villa DeeVena - fine french dining and wine list like no other in the country. Cafe Playa Negra - the best Peruvian food you'll ever eat. Jalapeño - great burrito bar and many more.
Junquillal is one of those magical places that you encounter and just plain fall in love with. There are a few miles of scenic beaches in front of an active and ever changing ocean. The south end of Junquillal boasts the most beautiful estuary system in the area. People catch a plethora of local fishes here including the red snapper which is a favorite on any dinner plate. Stand up paddle board, kayaking standup paddle board yoga are favorites here. The beaches north of the estuary are full of nook and cranny rocky ledges and long stretches of darker sugarcane fine white sands. There is a great community feeling here and neighbors gather daily for sunsets at the north end of Playa Blanca or at the famous Iguanazul Hotel.
These areas have become a mainstay for those wishing to vacationing or retire in a place just off the beaten path. A place that is close enough to all the trappings of tourism but just far enough away to enjoy a true quality of life, a life that with each sunrise you are excited to live.
Here at Coldwell Banker Tamarindo Realty we specialize in helping you discover your dream and realize your real estate goals. We have many fine offerings with prices, compared to the first world and the tourism centers, bring amazing value.
In Avellanas we recommend this resale vacation rental home:
http://www.coldwellbankertamarindo.com/Avellanas/fully-furnished-income-producing-beach-home.html
In Playa Negra we recommend this incredible 6Bed/5Bath Vacation/Retirement home:
https://c.na14.visual.force.com/apex/Listing?id=a09d000000XOlpB&srPos=0&srKp=a09&sfdc.override=1
This is our favorite home in Junquillal. It is a perfect 3Bed/2Bath, close to the beach and in a gated eco-community with all the amenities you'd ever want:
http://www.coldwellbankertamarindo.com/Junquillal/immaculate-and-safe-vacation-home-at-the-beach.html
It has been nearly 15 years since I moved to Playa Negra. I have never regretted the decision to do so. In the early days, when I was younger, it was nothing short of a daily adventure. The roads were at best ludicrously horrible. The height of the rainy season would turn the roads into a sloppy mess of flip-flop stealing mud, you would actually find springs of water percolating in spots. My longest drive time to Tamarindo was two and a half hours...I could have made the six mile journey from Playa Negra up the beach faster on horse! Those days are over. The roads have had many improvements in the last couple of years, bridges were installed, culverts placed in the creek beds, a thick rock base was placed on the coastal road, and the roads from Tamarindo all the way to the sleep gateway town, Paraiso, to the beaches were recently paved. Now, if it takes you longer than 30 minutes, you stopped for some of the sights along the way.
Things have certainly come a long way since then. Getting to the beaches south of Tamarindo has become easy, almost too easy. However, the towns of Avellanas, Playa Negra and Junquillal still maintain that authentic and paradisiacal feel. There are sections of beach in these areas where one can still take a romantic walk, hand in hand, with their partner and be alone. You'll encounter plenty of monkeys on your way. Wildlife abounds. In fact, I did a biodiversity study on my 3/4 acre lot in 2012 with my camera and found over 700 species of insects (don't worry, they are all benign!). There were some that were out of this world, you would think they might be aliens. For example, this leafhopper nymph is so small that you would likely never see it but trough the macro lens it's beauty is unmatched.
Playa Avellanas:
Avellanas, with it's long white sandy beach dotted with very few rocky outcroppings has always been a standout for those seeking something different from Tamarindo. Few people were able to reach this beach in the old days but now it has become a mecca for surfers because of it's many surf breaks which receive swell from all directions. Families and locals alike gather here for fishing, boogie boarding and enjoying the famous food from Lola's restaurant at this lovely beach.
Playa Negra:
Playa Negra has always been the standout for surfing. It is what surfers refer to as a "standout" location. Why? Well, the waves are always a little bigger and more consistent here than anywhere else. This wave is a machine of right breaking barreling waves. Recently, Playa Negra has changed it's image through the type of people that visit. Various Hollywood actors come to get away and spend their vacations in the one of the many newly built million dollar mansions. Families enjoy walks on the beach, watching the occasional turtle building their nest, amazing sunsets, and most of all the amazing restaurants on offer here. La Ventana offers organic breakfasts and lunches. Villa DeeVena - fine french dining and wine list like no other in the country. Cafe Playa Negra - the best Peruvian food you'll ever eat. Jalapeño - great burrito bar and many more.
Playa Junquillal:
Junquillal is one of those magical places that you encounter and just plain fall in love with. There are a few miles of scenic beaches in front of an active and ever changing ocean. The south end of Junquillal boasts the most beautiful estuary system in the area. People catch a plethora of local fishes here including the red snapper which is a favorite on any dinner plate. Stand up paddle board, kayaking standup paddle board yoga are favorites here. The beaches north of the estuary are full of nook and cranny rocky ledges and long stretches of darker sugarcane fine white sands. There is a great community feeling here and neighbors gather daily for sunsets at the north end of Playa Blanca or at the famous Iguanazul Hotel.
These areas have become a mainstay for those wishing to vacationing or retire in a place just off the beaten path. A place that is close enough to all the trappings of tourism but just far enough away to enjoy a true quality of life, a life that with each sunrise you are excited to live.
Here at Coldwell Banker Tamarindo Realty we specialize in helping you discover your dream and realize your real estate goals. We have many fine offerings with prices, compared to the first world and the tourism centers, bring amazing value.
In Avellanas we recommend this resale vacation rental home:
http://www.coldwellbankertamarindo.com/Avellanas/fully-furnished-income-producing-beach-home.html
In Playa Negra we recommend this incredible 6Bed/5Bath Vacation/Retirement home:
https://c.na14.visual.force.com/apex/Listing?id=a09d000000XOlpB&srPos=0&srKp=a09&sfdc.override=1
This is our favorite home in Junquillal. It is a perfect 3Bed/2Bath, close to the beach and in a gated eco-community with all the amenities you'd ever want:
http://www.coldwellbankertamarindo.com/Junquillal/immaculate-and-safe-vacation-home-at-the-beach.html
