Playa Grande Costa Rica is an undeveloped wilderness beach and Playa Grande is a part of the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste which does not allow beachfront development.

Playa Grande is famous for both surfing and conservation. During the day, surfers enjoy the offshore winds that create powerful waves perfect for surfing. At night, the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Leatherback turtles nest at this beach and this sight is considered to be one of the most important nesting sights in the world. As a result, travel and tourism development has been regulated and Playa Grande's accommodations are set back to ensure that light does not impact the turtles.

The Playa Grande accommodations are set back from the beach and, though, this may not appeal to some, it is a great place to support financially as the locals are an integral part of continued conservation of the Playa Grande area.

There isn't much nightlife here, so most travelers stay in nearby Tamarindo.

There are no buses to Playa Grande. You'll need to rent a car or take a boat from Tamarindo.

Playa Grande Costa Rica hotels are as follows:

• Playa Grande Costa Rica Hotels — Playa Grande Surf Camp offers budget accommodation and surf camps/lessons. Packages are available.
• Playa Grande Costa Rica Hotels — Playa Grande Inn is mid-budget offering a pool, lounge, air condition and wood decor. It's been remodeled recently and has a quaint bar/restaurant.
• Playa Grande Costa Rica Hotels — Hotel Villa Baula is also mid-budget and has 20 rooms and 5 bungalows on two acres of property. The rooms have hot water, some have air conditioning and some have kitchens. There's a pool and the beach is quiet here.
• Playa Grande Costa Rica Hotels — Hotel Bula Bula is a step above those listed above and offers landscaped grounds, pool, restaurant, wireless Internet and charming rooms.

Playa Grande and adjacent land (380-hectares/940-acres) were designated by the government as a national park to preserve one of the most important nesting grounds in the world for leatherback turtles.

The leatherback is critically endangered from over-hunting and lack of protected nesting sights. The Playa Grande sight used to have over 1,000 turtles arrive to nest but now the numbers are steadfastly declining to less than 50.

Playa Grande is closed at night to allow for these turtles to nest but you can access the beach during the day. There are nighttime turtle tours with guides for travelers who are interested.