Playa Junquillal, a wide two mile swath of beach south of Playa Negra, features gentle surf and a laid back atmosphere. Although the roads are still primitive, the area is growing and offers tranquility and longer-term Costa Rica real estate opportunities.

This wide and wild beach has high surf, strong rip currents, and few people. It's two kilometre long and has tide pools and pleasant walking. Locals go surf-fishing here. Junquillal is about midway between Las Baulas in Guanacaste and Ostional 35 km from Santa Cruz. One can access this beach in two different ways: either form Santa Cruz or from Villa Real. Ridley sea-turtles nest here in December and January but in smaller numbers as in the refugees. There is no village as such (the nearest is Paraíso about 4 km inland). Because of the length of the beach and the lack of a village, the beach is un-crowded, and there is a pleasant away-from-it-all feel. There is plenty of wild life: Monkeys, turtles, butterflies and a very wide variety of birds. Beside the dry tropical forest there are beautiful mangroves.