Guanacaste
Playas del Coco · Papagayo
Calm bays, diving at the Catalina Islands and sunset catamaran cruises.
Calm bays on the North Pacific
The Playas del Coco and Gulf of Papagayo area brings together sheltered bays, light-sand beaches and some of the country's most complete beach resorts. Its big advantage is proximity to Liberia International Airport: you can be on the beach shortly after landing.
Things to do
- Diving and snorkeling at the Catalina Islands: one of the best-known dive sites in the country, with rays, turtles and schools of fish; in some seasons you can also see manta rays.
- Sunset catamaran: a cruise along the coast with swimming and snorkeling stops.
- Beaches for every taste: Playa Hermosa and Playa Panamá are calm and family-friendly; Playas del Coco is livelier, with restaurants and nightlife.
- Sport fishing and kayaking in the bays.
- Day trips to Rincón de la Vieja, less than an hour and a half away.
Tips
- From December to March the Papagayo winds blow: they cool things down but can cancel or reschedule some boat trips. Book with flexibility.
- It is the driest area of the country: bring sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water.
- For a quieter stay, choose a hotel on the bays rather than in central Coco.
Getting there
Playas del Coco is about 30 to 40 minutes from Liberia airport and about four and a half hours by road from San José. It pairs very well with Rincón de la Vieja, Río Celeste or Tamarindo.
Where to stay in Playas del Coco · Papagayo
Hostal Playas del Coco ★★
Budget · Shared pool, Wi-Fi
from $60 per night
Hotel Playas del Coco Boutique ★★★★
Comfort · Pool, Wi-Fi, Restaurant
from $150 per night
Playas del Coco Lodge & Spa ★★★★★
Premium · Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Transfers
from $450 per night
Things to do in Playas del Coco · Papagayo
- Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands from $90 pp
- Sunset catamaran from $95 pp
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Plan your trip
from $60 per night
Choose hotel, nights and activities; prices follow the season.
Best time to visit
December to April (dry); strong winds blow from December to March