Playa Flamingo Holidays

This little pocket of Costa Rica’s got tropical beach holidays down to a T. Its crescent-shaped beach houses the country’s largest marina and is a favourite among holidaying beach bunnies. Pillow-soft sand and vodka-clear water have earned this beach its current Blue Flag status.

The scuba diving in Playa Flamingo is top-notch. Strap on your mask and fins and go in search of starfish, bursts of coral, eels, reef sharks and a pick ‘n’ mix selection of rainbow-coloured tropical fish. The nearby island of Plata’s also popular for diving – you can sail over from the yacht-filled marina.

Playa Flamingo’s small enough that you can’t really call it a town. It’s free of hustle and bustle, with any low-key action taking place on the main road that snakes alongside the beach. There’s a small selection of restaurants and tiny shops to explore here, while high-end hotels and luxury mansions are set back into wooded hideaways.