Playa Panama: Barefoot Luxury with a Relaxed Ambiance
Playa Panama is tucked into the southern end of Guanacaste's Culebra Bay, just north of Playa Hermosa. This gorgeous beach is one of the calmest and most protected in Costa Rica, sheltered from the open Pacific by the Papagayo Peninsula, which you can see across the water. With no actual town center or village to speak of, Playa Panama offers pure peace for anyone who comes.
Best Time to Travel to Playa Panama
There's no wrong time to visit Playa Panama. You can expect hot and sunny weather for most of the year. Sure, there's a rainy season running from May to November, and yes, September and October can be wet. But even during these months, you'll see sunshine. Think sunny mornings and rainy afternoons.
It's easier to talk about the best times not to travel to Playa Panama, when it's most crowded. Like most beaches in Costa Rica, Christmas, New Year and Easter can get busier (although Playa Panama is nowhere near as crowded as other nearby places). If you can avoid this time to travel, please do.
But even if you can't, you'll still have a great time, and the kids can make some friends.
Weather in Playa Panama
Guanacaste is the driest and warmest part of Costa Rica - the best weather for beach lovers. You can expect mid-to-late 80s F (early 30s C) temperatures for much of the year, with humidity lower than elsewhere.
The rainy season is from May to November, but even then, there's not a great deal compared to elsewhere in Costa Rica. Think hot and sunny most of the day with solid afternoon showers. The rainiest months are September and October.
Is Playa Panama Safe?
No one lives in Playa Panama, so there's no local crime. Most buildings around here are hotels and resorts, guarded well all day and night. You don't even need to worry too much about rip currents in Playa Panama, something rather unique in Costa Rica. Just leave all your valuables in your hotel and don't leave your things unattended at the beach, and you'll be fine.
Top Restaurants in Playa Panama
Here are some of our favorite recommendations.
Abbocato
Abbocato sits on a hill a little inland from Playa Panama and has stunning views across Papagayo Gulf. The food's good too - expect solid Italian fare with a twist towards seafood and meats. Great wine list.
Hacienda Blu
A more casual option on the beach with great surf' n 'turf platters that come in enormous sizes to share.
Makoko
The restaurant at the Mangroove resort is worth checking out, even if you're not staying at the hotel. International and fusion vibes as befits an international hotel.
El Chunco
Right on the beach in Playa Panama, you'll find many South American food, Costa Rican dishes, and cold beer to cool things off. Extremely friendly and great prices.
How to Get to Playa Panama
Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR), is the closest international airport to Playa Panama.
Distance & Driving Time to Playa Panama
From LIR Airport: 10 miles (16 kilometers), about 20 minutes.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.
If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Playa Panama, you're in luck - Playa Panama is the closest beach to an international airport in Costa Rica, less than 20 minutes away. If you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour or so to sort that out.
Head out of the airport onto the main road, and turn right, heading away from Liberia. Follow this road for a few minutes until you see a right-hand turn in the village of Comunidad. Take that right, swing past the CIMA hospital, then take a left. You're about halfway to Playa Panama now, and all you have to do is keep going until you reach the Pacific Ocean and you've arrived.
