Marbella is one of the more laid back beaches in the province of Guanacaste in Northern Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast in the Santa Cruz Canton. Marbella is a popular surfe's destination; this once sleepy fishing village is now fast becoming a major tourist attraction.

Lying between Playa Manzanillo and Playa Ostional, the beautiful and picturesque town of Marbella is full of character and charm. It's name literally means " Beautiful Sea".The gorgeous Playa Marbella or Marbella beach with its stunning white sands and clear blue waters is within easy walking distance from town. The beach here is one of the best in the area for surfers, as it offers world class consistent surf breaks due to offshore winds. With these excellent conditions, it is no wonder that many local as well as foreign surfers come here on a regular basis. The beach is normally quite quiet and is rarely crowded, making it ideal for the surfer who wishes to get away.

It should be noted that Playa Marbella is meant for the more experienced and skilled surfers, as the waves here can get pretty rough. However, there are two nearby beaches that offer incredible options for surfers as well: Playa Frijolar and Playa Coco. Playa Frijolar is a left hand point break, featuring great waves ideal for beginners and fun for experienced surfers as well. Playa Coco is a beach break featuring peaking A frame waves and incredible barrels. This area is great for all levels of surfing, and when the waves are big, it is excellent for the more experienced surfer.

If you love Marbella so much that you would like to stay, you should know that in recent years, Guanacaste has experienced an explosion in real estate, which has naturally increased the price of land. Since there is still a lot of land available here in Marbella, all investment opportunities in this area anticipate high earnings.

If you wish to go swimming or do any other water sport activities, the nearby beaches of Playa Manzanillo and Playa Azul are much better. Also, nearby is the Ostional Wildlife Reserve, which houses an important nesting ground for the Ridley sea turtle in Costa Rica. This turtle refuge is the second most important of its kind in the country. The nearest large towns to Marbella are Santa Cruz and Tamarindo, which are an hour away by bus. Marbella is also a great base if you wish to visit the historic Marino las Baulas in Guanacaste National Park close to Tamarindo.

The next town over in Nicoya´s Peninsula is San Juanillo. For travelers who come to Costa Rica in search of the ‘true’ Costa Rican experience, San Juanillo is the perfect place for them. The village itself is relatively small, which makes for a cultural experience that is nothing short of pure and traditional daily life for anyone who is a Costa Rican or “Tico.”

San Juanillo sits on the Northern Pacific of Costa Rica, and nearby cities include Marbella to the north as well as Ostional, Nosara and Garza to the south. It is a point with sea in both sides. To the end, it has a rocky formation that you can easily climb. The view from there is amazing. Watching the strong waves crash against the rocks reminds us of the power that nature possesses. It is not recommended to go into the ocean on this beach, since the waves are so strong.

In terms of attractions, no one should ever be bored nor spend any time sitting around doing nothing when visiting San Juanillo – unless that’s what a traveler wants, as San Juanillo is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of society and to relax in a place where time seems to move slowly.

If wildlife is what you are looking for, you could spend months in San Juanillo and never see the same thing twice. Tours are available locally that bring visitors by boat to see for themselves the wondrous Ostional Turtle Refuge, which is just a short distance to the south. Guests can also find great surfing just up and down the coast from San Juanillo as well as some of the most breathtaking snorkeling sights.

There are also many different type of restaurants in San Juanillo, so you will never run out of options for a nice lunch or dinner. If one wants to take a walk on the beach, wet their feet in the ocean, or simply sit under the shade of an almond tree, this part of Costa Rica will be an experience that the visitor will never forget.