Top 13 things to do and attractions in Playa Avellanas

The owner's 9 years in Italy show in the pizza quality. The Arab Antipasto and the Blu, Jungle & Bacon Pizza, especially, would hold their own against any highly rated big city place.

Secluded Paradise in the process of being discovered. Get there before it's too late

I have been at beaches all over the world and this is one of my favourite! Just so fun. Waves rolling in but gently and predictable. You can get out a long ways. Warm clean water. Great sunsets. One of my top 10 beaches in Costa Rica!

Beautiful beach with lots of surf and fishing. Perfect for walks on the beach with smooth sand and much less rocks.

This beach seems more for surfers than anybody else. Waves are huge and the water comes pretty far up the shore. The main complaint I have about this place is that the road getting here is terrible. I would recommend something with a high front and rear clearance. I did it with low clearance kia, it was possible by going slow but it took pretty long. There is parking. If you type in Playa avellana on Waze it will take you to the correct place.

Pristine beach, isolated from the hustle of Tamarindo and more than 5 surf breaks for all levels.

This place is known as little Hawaii, we didn’t understand why. The beach is rocky and hard to get in. You have to access it thru the restaurant Lola’s, the location in the map shows the access via Hacienda Pinilla, which you need to call in advance and make a reservation. I think they charge $35 per person for the day use of Hacienda Pinilla beach bar. We didn’t visit it since we accessed the beach via Lola’s restaurant. The street to access the beach is rough, but most beach access on this side of the coast are bad.

Recommended. The food was good and priced for tourists. After eating at several locations before visiting. i can't say the food was outstanding but it was good. The views and location outstanding. Cocktails great. Service slow which would be fine if the food compensated but it did not. I think more authentic foods like plantain and pork tacos etc...are needed. Just not enough local food options for me. Worth the visit.

Just when you thought lunch couldn't get any better... We scored a table with a view of the ocean at Lola's and it was totally Instagram-worthy! The staff was super chill and friendly, and the bathrooms were spotless (because, priorities). But let's get to the good stuff - the food was OFF THE CHARTS! The calamari was a game-changer and we're already planning our next visit to get it again. If you're looking for a solid spot to grab a bite and take in some ocean views, look no further than Lola's! 10/10 would recommend.

Great food. We went for a beach day with friends. Parking is odd but doable. We had burgers (seasoned well) and chicken nuggets (the freshest nuggets you'll ever have); I know American food but we wanted a break, lol. Service a little slow but doable. Would definitely come back.

Great cocktails and view. The canopy is amazing to sit under and enjoy a cold drink on a warm day.

Absolutely beautiful restaurant location, beach front in Playa Avellano. The portions are huge and the drinks are cold, so come hungry and thirsty, you won't be disappointed! And what a view!! While the original Lola is long gone, there's other local fur babies that come by to say hello if you hang around long enough. Staff was great and we enjoyed swimming afterwards and taking in yhe beauty of Costa Rica.

Lola's is a hidden gem of a beach bar and restaurant that I had the pleasure of visiting recently. The atmosphere is laid-back and full of surfer vibes, making it the perfect spot to grab a drink and unwind after a day in the sun. I tried their calamari, and it was some of the best I've ever had. The calamari was tender and perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of crunch. I also ordered the ceviche, and it was absolutely delicious. The fish was fresh, and the citrus marinade was refreshing and flavorful. In addition to the amazing food, the service at Lola's was top-notch. The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure that my dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish. Overall, Lola's is a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a cool beach bar with great food.

Was in town for a wedding and Lola's was highly recommend....did not disappoint! Great casual place to hang out, great scenery and the food!! Fresh and delicious. You can walk on the beach to get there or by car. If you're in town and near by make sure you make time to eat at Lola's!! They have great shirts! Buy one to take home. P.S. bring cash for shirts!!

Great facilities! Beautiful pool area and excellent outdoor cafe. I loved watching my adult children play soccer on the soccer fields while having lunch. Loved spending time with my granddaughter in the pool.

This was $25… what a joke. The chicken has no seasoning, it was dry freezer burnt and looks more like naked chicken fingers. The carrots look like they were rolled through the dirt. The Cauliflower risotto with curry is not at all as advertised, it’s simply cauliflower and curry… there is no risotto whatsoever. I live in Hacienda Pinilla and this will be the third and last time I’ll ever eat there… nothing but a dogs dinner. Their menu is extremely overpriced and this restaurant doesn’t deserve to be situated at this location… there is nothing about fine dining there. See the photo for yourself. I over heard it’s $25 per person to make a reservation like as if it’s gonna to be a culinary experience… I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT!!!

Fabulous location we attended a welcome reception for upcoming wedding. Food & drink were catered in and wow what amazing sunset views! Highly recommend

This beach club was our saving grace on our trip to Costa Rica. It’s safe, relaxing, and the staff are very helpful and attentive. The property is beautiful and well managed, and the beach is super clean and not crowded. Our group ventured outside of the resort to Tamarindo beach on our first day, and we ended up getting robbed there! Needless to say, the safety of resorts may be the best option for larger groups of tourists in Costa Rica.

Beautiful location! The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. Great beach for surfing and beach walks.

We went to the Beach Club twice while staying at our villa, once for swimming and beach and lunch and then again for their Latin night buffet. Both times didn't disappoint. Great service and a beautiful atmosphere. The day we went swimming, we practically had the pool to ourselves! The drinks are very good and the food is amazing! You pay 10.00 per adult, but that goes towards any food or drink purchases, so it's basically free to get in. Highly recommend over the JW Marriott restaurants that don't take reservations unless you're staying there!

This review is for person that was working at the desk as you walk in. She was rude and has no understanding of basic customer service. Management should be training people so guests and visitors want to come back. WE ARE GONNA SURF AND MEET OUR FRIENDS AND FAM AND SPEND TONS OF MONEY THERE. Stop with the ridiculous bracelet police. Just greet and kindly ask if we are chilling poolside or hanging at restaurant. Simple.

Such a cool market with many offerings! The shops are beautiful and the grocery was AMAZING with lovely fresh fruit in on a regular basis. The market also offers multiple food vendors, which were ALL delicious. On the weekends there are also makers markets which are fun to see!

LOVE LOVE LOVE! We came here three times during our stay here and it was just the most genuine, fun, cute experience ever. There was a “food court” with different little cute restaurants for you to choose from, a bar, several stores and LIVE MUSIC. It also had the most amazing tree we’ve ever seen in our lives! Kids crawled up and down together with adults. Of course don’t forget about the swings (one of which is an airplane) and the over friendly dogs that made kids all screaming in excitement! Such a nice feeling of community. Will for sure come back next time we are around the area.

Surya is a health food that is located there, along with some women's wear boutiques, a few different types of take-out style restaurants for tacos and empenadas, and a bar. On Friday nights, they have a marketplace for local craftspeople and other vendors. Live music sometimes.

This is a great new place to visit and relax in Avellanas. The vibe is a mix of rustic and fancy. Incredible design of the place with some of the natural trees integrated into the landscape. This offers a small market of different restaurants to choose from for food, drink, and gelato. Some options are a bit expensive, but it is worth the visit.

WOW, love this place!! Between all the different food options, the community gathering, the conscious shopping, and the overall vibes, this spot is really special in Avellanas!!

What a cool and friendly place that should fulfill all global hipsters' aesthetic and culinary preferences. This could as well be located in NYC, Berlin or Medellin. Gentrification of the province done in a charming way. I assume this will push the development of the area further.

Friday night fun. Great live music, a few choices for food, a bar serving cocktails and wine, a number of stalls offering merchandise. Kids dancing, dogs trotting by, people eating, drinking and swaying to the music. ✨

⏳️Fast service: 1/5 🫶Friendly service: 2/5 🍕Tasty food: 3/5 💰Value for money: 2/5 Beautiful interior, but poor experience. We had to wait for almost 30 minutes for our pizza order, and we had to ask for the bill three times. Meat did not taste right on neither of our pizzas. Not sure I'd return.

Excellent experience and the best Italian dinner in this area. The server was charming and personable. The restaurant and setting itself was...Rustic, interesting and charming. It is pretty much in the coastal jungle near Hacienda Pinilla, and part of the road to get there isn't paved, but well worth the drive. Very hot pizza oven results in crispy crust and a great meal. Plenty of pasta options, very good wine list (which is hard to come by around here), vegetarian and vegan options. We shared the Ravioli Zucca pumpkin filling with walnuts and tasty sauce, loved it. It's my new favorite Italian restaurant!

I loved many things about this place. The ambience of the space, the ample seating, the excellent wait staff, etc. I was however served a cold piece of lasagna. This was corrected immediately, but leads me to believe that it wasn't made fresh that evening. That said the flavour was great and the portion was generous. I would still go back because everything else was hot and tasted wonderful.

My husband and I had a fantastic meal here while we stayed in Playa Avellanas! We started by sharing the watermelon salad and each got our own pizzas. I enjoyed the Primavera pizza (mozz, red sauce, basil, chives, cherry tomatoes) and he got the 4 Formaggi (red sauce, mozz, Gorgonzola, Parmigiano reggiano, & provolone). Both were amazing! 10/10 would recommend eating here - make a reservation to eat at the restaurant, it has a cool vibe and beautiful environment.

We stayed in Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica for a week, and one of the highlights of our trip was dining at Il Rustico. The food was absolutely incredible—every dish from appetizers to desserts was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Their cocktails were on point, and the local beer selection was a great bonus. What truly set Il Rustico apart was their amazing service. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs. My wife is a gluten-free vegan, and they were not only understanding but also creative in preparing dishes tailored to her diet. They even customized meals for our kids, which made the whole experience feel personal and welcoming. If you’re in the area, Il Rustico is a must-visit spot. It’s rare to find a place that nails food, service, and atmosphere all at once—but they did just that. Highly recommend!l

Arrived right at 5:30 with no reservations in off season. Seated right away, but by 7 the place was full. Food was AMAZING! Starter of the bruschetta - we could have eaten that each and be happy. Our table had lasagna, ravioli, pizza, and carbonara. Everything was great and so filling. Had chocolate mousse, tiramisu, cheesecake, and ice cream for dessert- everything was delicious. Atmosphere is wonderful, outdoor dining peaceful. Had 2 young kids who enjoyed as well and were warmly welcomed. Highly recommend!

My new FAVORITE spot! I have been to Costa Rica 3 times and in that time I have never had a such a great dining experience! First I met Jenny who made our Christmas Eve dinner a delight! Her recommendations and sheer enthusiasm made this a night I’ll never forget! The food was outstanding! Fresh Pasta and wood fire burning pizza 🍕 plus I had a the jumbo shrimp salad and it was unbelievable! We will be sure to come back probably in the next day! It was that good! Go here asap and ask for Jenny!

I absolutely loved my stay at Little Hawaii! The location was unbeatable—just a short walk to the beach, which made it so easy to enjoy the ocean any time of day, including the beautiful sunsets. Jose was incredibly responsive and helpful throughout the entire stay. The pool area was clean, relaxing, and a great spot to hang out and unwind as it was surrounded by beautifully maintained greenery. The room itself was spotless and very comfortable. The shower was miraculous, great water pressure and beautifully tiled. I also really appreciated the well-equipped kitchen, which had plenty of space to cook meals even though there were restaurants nearby. Having a coffee maker available was a thoughtful touch that made mornings even better. Highly recommend this place, excited to stay again!

Jose was an incredible host and the Airbnb was in the perfect location. 3 min walk from the beach / Lola’s. The space was clean, had all the kitchen supplies I needed to cook, and the AC was very strong. The pool was perfect post surf and he also had surfboard lockers for each unit. Would highly recommend and definitely would go back to stay!

The location is truly amazing, just a 2-minute walk from the beach. Avellanas Beach is stunning and the sunsets are incredible. The studio was clean, exactly as described; we stayed in Unit 3 on the upper floor. The pool is a great bonus for relaxing in the afternoon. I would definitely stay here again for the location, it’s wonderful to be so close to the beach.

Little Hawaii Avellanas was the perfect spot. The room was designed very well - even though it was a studio apartment, it felt large due to the intelligent design & use of space. It was very clean with modern features. The pool was amazing and the best part was the quick walk to the beach! Highly recommend staying at Little Hawaii Avellanas!

Prime location-a 2 minute walk to the beach. The showers both near the pool and inside the room were elite, especially after a day spent at the beach. Functional spaces, especially the kitchen and closet area. Loved the pool and decor-felt very relaxing. Service unbeatable, highly recommend!

Location, location, location. This is the closest rental to Playa Avellanas. Just wake up and take a walk to the surf. The unit was super clean, well equipped and very comfortable. Pool is great to cool off from a day at the beach. You also have lots of food options waling distance. Also you get a code to enter in and out so you don't have to bring the keys to the beach.

5 stars all around! Our room had everything we needed and was super clean, the location to the beach and local restaurants couldn’t be beat, and our hosts, especially Lino, were awesome. Loved having access to the pool and BBQ also. Highly recommend this for your stay!

Mauricio was great over text to organize the rental, but when we got to the beach, the woman there (Jessica) was very grumpy and difficult to work with. Felt like we were inconveniencing her by giving her business. Rented for an hour and she wanted to give us 45 minutes. Boards were not waxed, fin was broken on one board. We had a great time once we were on the water but I would choose another spot to rent from next time.

Can’t say enough good things about the Avellanas surf school instructors. My two sons had multiple amazing lessons and learned a ton. Highly recommend. PS Lola’s restaurant where the lessons are is amazing. Worth the drive!

My surf lesson at Playa Avellanas with Kalani was great! We had beautiful weather and conditions, and my wife tried surfing for her first time too. Kalani was super chill and gave me lots of great tips on where to look, what waves to pick, and how to stand up. I caught maybe 20 waves in just 1.5 hours, thanks to his pushes and little tips, and even caught a few all on my own. I was stoked! I felt so good that after a short break for breakfast I rented a board and went again for another hour. Kalani’s friend James was cool too, and we chatted for a bit in the water and I watched him catch a few waves. My wife was terrified (LOL) but she learned how to paddle around on a board, and how to bail when bigger waves approached, so I’d consider that a small victory! She even caught one in her stomach and rode it into the beach. All in all a great day, and I can’t wait to come back. Pura vida!

I went to visit CR for thanksgiving with my family. I was planning on moving around and visiting all the beaches near Tamarindo. But when I got to Avellanas surf school, I couldn’t really leave. We surfed for 5 days non stop. We had fun, and we found a very professional and passionate bunch of instructors. But most of all, we found outstanding and unforgettable persons that made us willing to come back! Thanks u all!!!

Mauricio was the best surf instructor and coach. I had prior experience surfing before but he literally helped me master the fundamentals and get super comfortable and confident in just a week. So grateful for him, his knowledge, and his expertise. Thanks to him, I can shred (sometimes) now! Will definitely be back to surf with him at Avellanas Surf School again. Jessica took some sweet photos too!

Huge shout out to Avellanas Surf School down in Costa Rica for teaching me how to surf! It was my fist time on a board and Mauricio did such a good job with breaking down the basics and showing me how to ride my first ever wave! I'll be talking about this one for a while!

If you are looking for a place to start surfing, this is the place. Mauricio and his team gave both me and my son (6yrs) unforgettable experience of 5-day surfing lessons in this wonderful place. They taught us all the basics and guided us to practice on real waves for most of the lesson. They also offer photo session to keep the best moments of the trip. We would definitely come back to improve our skills next time.

The beach is nice. The road leading there is basically trash- and parts of it lead to Marriott- so it’s beyond my understanding how the road is left in this deplorable condition. Once you make it to the beach, there’s plenty of space and some occasional natural shade. Some questionable people come and take 2000 colones from you when you park there… I would not leave any valuable in the car.

Beautiful beach with white sands and great surf waves. These are powerful ocean waves and there are rip currents so be careful if you’re not familiar with these. Sunsets are amazing.

Beautiful white sand beach where you can wade out into the surf for a couple hundred meters. Good to boogy board in.

Beautiful clean beach, great waves and lots of food nearby. Lola's on the beach makes for a great lunch or drinks, or walk up to la esquina market for more vendors! Rentals available nearby for boards. Makes a perfect day trip, or vacation destination. Worth the trip!!

Without question, our favorite beach in Guanacaste. Quiet and postcard perfect. The roads are challenging to get there - 4x4 is highly recommended. Lola's is the spot for food and cocktails on the beach, and don't miss out on a walk through the mangrove forest nearby.

Truly a beautiful area. It has a quaint feel and with Lola's close by you can have great food while enjoying a lovely beach. I would recommend using a SUV at a minimum to get there as the dirt roads can at times require a high ground clearance to arrive. There are several places to choose from in various budgets should you want to stay in the area. Enjoy!

I love this place! Still virgin and with a beautiful local atmosphere. My kids love it too! I have visited Playa Avellanas on several occasions and it's always beautiful. High season is ideal, the water is so warm! During rainy season, everything turns green and the beach is not crowded. The surf here is fantastic and the sunsets are simply amazing!!

Vacation golf. That’s as about as great as it got. Unfortunately, undergoing heavy construction on the back 9. This place offers awesome ocean views along with great jungle experience. That’s the best part. Greens in great shape along with the tee boxes. The fairways and some bunkers could use some work. Bring your own sand to fill. Rental clubs are great, Titleist clubs. Overall good experience would do it again, unfortunately a bit pricy.

Hacienda Pinilla is an enjoyable design with wide fairways, playable bunkers, and raised greens and it winds through tropical forest where wildlife sounds and sights are common. There are very few homes on the course which gives one the sense of privacy while playing. I loved this! It’s a little unkempt in places, like bunker lining visible in places, and areas with little or no grass. When I played the fairways and greens were fast, hard, and difficult to hold because it hadn’t rained in ages. $150 includes green fee, cart, and range balls. $50 for a decent Titleist set (though a couple needed new grips).

Nice track! Great layout, fast greens, excellent driving range and the staff are very friendly. Highly recommend it for any level of golfer.

A beautiful 18 hole golf course surrounded by the scenic nature of Costa Rica 🇨🇷 Driving range, clubhouse with bar and restaurant, and more. Watch the surf on a couple of holes and check out the monkeys, iguanas and other wildlife during your outing. We love this course!

Stunningly beautiful course with super friendly and knowledgeable staff. The greens are kept in amazing condition under very difficult conditions. Great value for a very social course.

Hidden gem. Two of the prettiest ocean view holes I have ever played. Back nine is amazing. Fun track and was in good shape. Decent value.

Beautiful course no need for a teatime. Just pull up whenever you are ready and there’s really no waiting there might be a couple people that are a little slow but other than that can’t complain about anything about this course

This was a nice place to stop for evening dinner. We ordered two pineapple smoothies, ceviche and the full fish plate that came with fries and salad. The ceviche was a little heavy on the lime, but otherwise good. The full fillet took 30 minutes and was heavily seasoned. It was moist and flakey as you expect from good fish. The smoothies were not overly sweet but light on pineapple and so a little bland. Overall, this is a good place to eat when in the area and worth a stop.

If you’re coming to Avellanas, you must experience the authentic Costa Rican food at Gregorio’s! Hands down, the best food in Avellanas. This is as fresh as fresh can be! Perfect food! Portions, presentation, flavor, quality! The owner, Jonathan, treats everyone like family. My husband and I will often just come and only eat there because quite frankly nothing else can compare. Everything else in Avellanas is typical American style food that is mediocre at best. Support a true local business and experience real food!

Very tasty food, large portions, and WELL PRICED! It's hard to come by a decently priced restaurant in this area but this one is definitely a good fix. Locally run serving authentic Costa Rican food. I was super hungry after hours of surfing and ordered two dishes for the price of a single dish elsewhere 🙌🙌🙌

Went here for dinner trying to escape the prices and sub par food at the JW Marriot where im staying. The food, The staff and the atmosphere was great. They have many great options on the menu, everything we order tasted amazing. They have a pool table and some TVs for entertainment all the workers are all very nice and I would recommend This place to anyone looking for local Costa Rican style food for a great price 5/5 all around for me heading back for lunch tomorrow.

Outstanding service and food! Such a cozy local spot. The owner made us feel so welcome and gave us very traditional meals that were delicious! We will absolutely go back when we return to Costa Rica one day!

I had a great meal here recently with my family. The food was fresh and the service was good too. The owner is very friendly and we look forward to returning on our next visit.

Best local food we had in the past week. The owner is super friendly. Good price as well.

Mansita Beach is a stunning and peaceful getaway, perfect for relaxation and enjoying Costa Rica’s natural beauty. The beach has soft sand, clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets

Nice beach, and near other nice beaches. Waves aren't too strong, good sunny, sandy beach, shallow for a long time. Attached to a nice small peaceful village.

Beautiful, nice beach, great área, in Pinilla you have everything you need to enjoy your vacations, MTB Trails, near to all services.

Beautiful beach by the JW Marriott, the hotel is amazing. Stunning sunset view.

About as chill, as you could imagine.

Random trash, rocky, hotel prevents anyone from using the beach

Little rocky

Thibaut was an awesome guy to work with. He gave us an incredible map with clear directions so we could make our own trail and take our time doing the excursion. The scenic route we took was incredible! Only took a few videos and pictures we were too busy having fun. We can’t wait to get back and use Avellanas Atv again. Best atv experience I’ve had!

Unreal adventure! The ATVs were in perfect condition, the staff was super friendly, and the trails led to stunning hidden beaches and jungle views. Absolutely the highlight of our trip—don’t miss this if you’re in Costa Rica!

We had the best time renting our ATV! Thibaut was so kind in mapping out an entire route for us to explore and we saw some hidden gem scenic overlooks we wouldn’t have found otherwise. The ATV was extremely comfortable too! Cannot recommend enough!!

Incredible tour... Soo much fun. Bikes are like new. The tour brought us to amazing places. Can't wait to do again

Booked a 1/2 day rental, had a great time, definately some good trails to ride, we made our own route out to the Turtle hatchery and then up thru the hills. Thibauld gave us a map that we could follow to various destinations if we wanted. There were a few challenging spots I thought my wife would bail on, but for someone starting out nervous she managed well with all the challenges, this is definitely a must do for anyone consisting CR

Great tour, great guide. Very beautiful surroundings to explore. I really recommend ! :)

Amazing tour guides with amazing views!! Couldn’t recommend enough!