When you find yourself needing a break from the surf, calmer waters can be found up a beach trail at the north end of Playa Grande at a little beach called Playa Ventanas. This beach is favored by locals and visitors since there is ample shade and open beach. Part of Las Baulas National Park, Playa Ventanas’ small crescent shaped bay has tens of meters of sand, leading out to a rocky point.

The low tide at Playa Ventanas exposes rocky tide pools filled with corals and tropical fish, perfect for snorkeling taking a dip to cool off. Native species such as butterfly fish, damsels, eels, urchins and more live among the tide pools. Meanwhile, at the outer rocks and shoreline, you’ll find the occasional spear and hand-line fisherman fishing down grouper, mackerels and more.

Playa Ventanas is accessible only through a road in Playa Grande. To find Playa Ventanas, make a right before Hotel Las Tortugas to drive parallel with the beach. A few kilometers north, the road dead-ends at beach. The road can be bumpy in places, and 4WD may be needed during the green season to reach it.