Puerto Carrillo
Puerto Carrillo, situated along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica's Guanacaste Province, is a jewel among Costa Rica's Pacific beaches. The town itself is very small (less than 500 full-time residents) and is predominantly a sport-fishing village with a handful of nice hotels, restaurants, two small food markets, and tour operators. While there are only a limited number of hotels and places to eat in Carrillo, many options are available in the nearby town of Samara, just 4km away. The population in Carrillo is mainly local residents and still maintains an authentically Costa Rican atmosphere.
Puerto Carrillo is a small unobtrusive community that has been playing host to some of the most well renown sport fishing boats in the world, since its discovery as a billfish destination over 15 years ago. The tiny harbor affords protection to a small handful of charter and private boats that are here on permanent bases. The beautiful white sand beach has small waves most of the time, and is popular with swimmers and families with kids. Playa Carrillo is never crowded, and it offers nice picnic areas right on the beach. Your car will be within easy reach, wherever you decide to spend your day in the sand.
Carrillo also offers beautiful and secluded small beaches near by, El Roble is a rocky beach with its own waterfall and tide pools. Playa El Sur, beautiful medium size beach surrounded by palm trees (only accessible by boat). Playa Samara, 4km to the north, is a much larger beach. with waves generally near knee to waist high, and is a popular place for beginning surfers and families.
Carrillo is located approximately 41 km (25 mi) from Nicoya, the economic and administrative hub of the region. Access to Carrillo is via paved roads. The paving of the "Road 150" from Nicoya through Sámara to Carrillo was completed in early 2006, which greatly increased the accessibility of the region and dramatically reduced driving times. The total drive now takes about 4 hours from San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) and under 2 hours from Liberia's Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR). Public buses operate between nearby Sámara and Nicoya several times a day; express buses operated by Empresa Alfaro also connect Sámara with San José usually twice a day (except weekends). Air service is provided by Sansa Airlines to the adjacent Carrillo Airport. The airport is no longer used by Sansa Airlines. The airport is used by Costa Rican government, Fuerza Publica, private charters and The Flying Crocodile ultralite flyers.
Gallery
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Aerial photo of Carrillo Beach
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Carrillo Beach
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Carrillo Beach Sunset
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Carrillo Beach Sunset
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Dolphins right off the coast of Carrillo
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Fire rainbow right off the coast of Carrillo
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Stripe marlin right off the coast of Carrillo
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Whale tail right off the coast of Carrillo
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