Visit Coco Beach!
Coco Beach in the Guanacaste Province lies at the heart of Costa Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo.
Why Visit Coco Beach?
Coco Beach, aka Playas del Coco, is desirable as a tourist hot spot and a local hangout. Made up of several small beaches, “El Coco,” as it’s affectionately called, is perhaps only second to Liberia in terms of most developed towns in the province of Guanacaste. The town itself offers a wealth of souvenir shops, but you may find vendors selling trinkets right on the shore.
The beach features a winding beachfront promenade with water fountains and a sports area. The boardwalk has local pipa (chilled green coconut) and snow cone vendors to help cool you down on a hot day.
- Downtown Coco: This exciting party location has dozens of bars and small clubs but also modern amenities, including supermarkets, technology stores, and fast food chains.
Where to Stay
Coco Beach is ideal if you are looking for a relaxed town with a beach vibe.
Things to Do
Coco Beach is recognized for its accessibility to supreme fishing areas and scuba diving locations and being the midway point to Witches Rock, a world-famous surfing spot.
“El Coco”- A Place Where You Can Find a Genuine Charm of Costa Rica
The sand is a dark tan with generally calm waters owing to a sheltered location on the Papagayo gulf; there are some rock formations, so watch your toes. Those clear waters typically harbor several small and recreational boats that add to the character of the place.
Coco remains a place locals visit consistently, so you get a lot of interaction and local flavor. A vast array of bars, restaurants and shops from the town’s main road, leading to the main beach, a perfectly positioned hub to go on various tours in the area. Year-end holidays and Easter (and even high season weekends) can be pretty busy as local families also use their free time here. While Coco Beach is family-friendly during the day, the nightlife is pretty active and best for the adults-only set. The beach is relatively small and surrounded by hills dotted with villas. Due to the geography, there aren’t many hotels close to the beach.
Best Time to Travel to Playas del Coco
Coco has consistently warm temperatures year-round. Green season (May-November) sees fewer crowds and more foliage on the surrounding hillsides with afternoon showers. December-April will see more visitors, including local and international visitors. Holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Easter are very busy.
The Weather in Coco Beach
Average Temperature: 91° F (32° C) Avg High, 71° F (21° C) Avg Low
The rainy season is May to November, and the dry season is from December to April. During the dry season, the weather is sweltering, creating the feeling that you have just stepped into the desert. The best months for fishing are May to September. You will see the most rain here in October, with many showers occurring in the afternoon and night. Finally, after a bit of storm, everything returns to its lush green color.
Is Coco Beach Safe?
Coco Beach has an excellent reputation with tourists visiting from around the world. Of course, as with any place you travel to, there are always ways of ensuring proper safety, but in general, Coco Beach is regarded as a safe place to visit.
Top Restaurants in Playas del Coco
Pacific Beach Club, Coconutz and La Ancla are just a few restaurants the area offers with varying types of food for every taste bud.
How to Get There
Coco is approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from the SJO airport by car. San Jose (SJO) to Liberia (LIR) is a 50-minute flight by plane. From Liberia, it is an easy 25-minute drive.