As I neared the beach, passing a tiny supermarket and few scattered hotels, I realized that Playa Grande was the complete antithesis of Tamarindo. Off the main road were a soda and restaurant, a couple of surf shops and a handful of houses under construction. The streets were virtually empty of cars and pedestrians. It was a balmy summer day, and everyone was on the beach.
I arrived at Hotel Las Tortugas where I was pleasantly surprised by my well-appointed room and poolside view. Designed and built by surfing pioneer Louis Wilson, the beachfront hotel was created with nesting sea turtles in mind. Playa Grande is one of the largest nesting sites for the leatherback sea turtle, which are extremely sensitive to ambient light as they come ashore under the cover of darkness.
After a quick meal in the hotel's open-air restaurant, I ventured out to the shore. The cream-colored sand stretched on for miles, ideal for long walks. A small patch of beach almond and coconut palms provided shade from the tropical sun.
Looking around at all of the tanned and attractive travelers, I felt like the beach was hosting a convention for the world's most beautiful people. I talked with folks from South Africa, Australia, Spain and the States. Most had come for the surf, but all were drawn to the peace and undeveloped splendor of Playa Grande.
