Playa Potrero
A quiet community by the sea.
Beach
Why Visit Potrero?
With Las Catalinas to the north and Playa Flamingo to the south, the community of Potrero can sometimes feel like a forgotten backwater sandwiched between two tourism hotspots. And that's all for good. Potrero keeps on humming along, a quiet little community on a beautiful beach with an ultra laid-back feel.
Below are two great reasons to visit this great little community:
- The Beach: From the Flamingo Marina at the south end to the Las Brisas Restaurant at the north end, Playa Potrero is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach around a bay, offering calm seas great for swimming.
- The Ambiance: Potrero has a great vibe. It's more residential than touristy, not too busy nor too quiet. It's a place to simply kick back, knowing you have access to any creature comforts you might need.
Where to Stay
Potrero has plenty of rental homes, Airbnb, and some smaller hotels. More accommodations are found in Playa Flamingo.
Things to Do
Life in Potrero revolves around the beach. A day spent relaxing here, followed by cocktails and dinner, is a day not wasted. Potrero isn't a surfing beach, but there are plenty of those nearby. There's also fishing, diving, and sailing.
Relax by the Sea in Potrero Beach
We're not going to deny it, we love Potrero. It's one of our favorite beach communities in Costa Rica. Sure, there are beaches with more natural beauty (although Potrero, with its soft tan sands and spectacular sunsets, is undoubtedly beautiful) and communities with more action and life. But Potrero retains a down-home, residential vibe that hasn't changed with the development you see all over this part of Guanacaste.
Potrero is a smaller community filled with vacation homes, the occasional hotel, and a few beach bars/restaurants. But compared to neighboring communities, the development is minimal, and significant tourism "projects" haven't found their way to Potrero.
Best Time to Travel to Potrero
Potrero is perfect year-round. Guanacaste is the hottest, driest part of Costa Rica, so the weather isn't an issue. Of course, it rains somewhat from May to November, but that's no deal-breaker here.
The best months to be in Potrero are May and November. They're the transition months (May is the transition from dry to rainy season and November vice versa) when the weather is perfect - hot and sunny with afternoon rain to keep things green.
Weather in Potrero
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 Potrero Safe?
Potrero is a small community without nightlife, making it more sedate than other beach towns up and down the Guanacaste coast. So take care when out and about. Don't ever leave anything in your car or on the beach. If you're walking around Potrero, many streets lack sidewalks.
Top Restaurants in Potrero
Check out some of these restaurants in Potrero:
Doki Sushi: An Asian restaurant with an emphasis on great sushi.
Cafe del Sol: A South American/Mediterranean-inspired place with fantastic seafood.
Bagel Kitchen: The yummiest bagels to start your day.
The Beach House Bar & Restaurant: Great seafood right on the beach.
Club Rancho: Enjoy a fantastic sunset with your delicious fresh fish.
How to Get to Potrero
Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR) is the closest international airport to Potrero.
Distance & Driving Time to Potrero
From LIR Airport: 21 miles (34 kilometers), about 45 minutes
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers, which means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, and relax. Our driver will get you to your destination.
Getting to Potrero from Guanacaste Airport is an easy, 45-minute drive. If you're renting a car at the airport, give yourself another hour to make all the arrangements. Make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not drive at night.
Once you have your car, head out of the airport onto the main road, and turn left. Keep following this road until you see a gas station and take the right opposite. Then keep on going towards Sardinal. If you pass the Lakeside International School, you're heading in the right direction. Head through the outskirts of Sardinal, past another gas station, and just stay on that road until you arrive in Potrero.